Landscaped terraces for Ahmedabad workspace
Ahmedabad-based architecture and design firm Footprints EARTH has designed the Rannade House, a mid-sized workspace. A naturally-illuminated and ventilated basement and parking space double up as an exhibition space for organising cultural fests. The high-volume ground floor is conceived as the showroom space, while the three floors above are office spaces, while the two floors are duplex penthouses.
A landscaped terrace with seating areas acts as a ceremonial place for festive occasions. Shaded terraces at intermediate floors have been constructed as the building profile moves towards the north. Handcrafted china mosaic creates effective insulation on the terrace floor with handcrafted inlays of yoga postures promote health and fitness. Recessed terraces and planted edges offer outdoor extension spaces on both the upper-level and lower-level floors. Floor edges have designed to mitigate harsh external weather conditions while providing shades and views of nature. Continuous overhangs along with the periphery offer shading with louvers and planters on the external edges.
Reinforced concrete frames over the raft foundation with post-tensioned spanning beams have been used for the structural system. This reduces beam depths and offers unobstructed space for the floor plates over large spans to have personalized working spaces. Full-height windows allow natural cross-ventilation yet protects from harsh sunlight through double-layered louvers and plantation.
Each office has its own lobby space with a unique floor and inlay as per the kind of work it reflects. They are open to 180° panoramic views with transparent edges while the southern portion is buffered with stairs, elevators and a sheltered lobby. Vegetation and seasonal flowering plants along the periphery at each floor offer added climate benefits such as oxygenation, humidification, and shade. Each lobby floor with graphic inlay in natural stone, and lobbies inlaid with quotes, poem or shlokas make the place interactive. Interactive board games inlaid in stone add value to the space as well.
