Business District,
Ahmedabad
- Project : Business District
- Client : Sheth Builders
- Status : Ongoing
- Site Area : 68 Acre
- Category : Master Planning
- Project : Business District
- Status : Ongoing
- Client : Sheth Builders
- Site Area : 68 Acre
- Category : Master Planning
The client aspires to develop a business district to harness future potential on the lines of successful business hubs across the world incorporating global design principles, indigenous character of the place and reflecting vibrant culture of the region, comprehensively promoting its inhabitant’s skills and talent.
The brief required a design to accommodate diversified development, thereby providing flexibility in leasing spaces, plot sizes and quarter sizes to accommodate business of varied sizes. These were to be supported by ample parking, large green spaces (private + communal), retail and night life to facilitate a vibrant, round the clock environment.
"The master planning of business districts is an opportunity to shape the economic and social fabric of our cities. It's a chance to create inclusive spaces that empower people from all walks of life to thrive and succeed."
- Alejandro Aravena
Master Plan
Defined Avenues
The master planning approach defines the character of the development. The built form network of streets, vistas, avenues set an identity for the development.
Central landmark
Central landmark buildings that open on to the main square are treated with a varied massing footprint to allow create a scale that is not too imposing. Responds to and merges into the surrounding low-density blocks to maintain uniformity throughout the development.
Integration / Pedestrianization / Skyline
Controlled skyline with monumental feature that ensures safety and comfort of pedestrian user, encourages self-sustained development, vibrant and accommodates all types of users making it cosmopolitan
Monumental, Central, Green and Inviting
That’s the characteristics of a successful business district. Built and unbuilt form integrates to provide an experience of the space not just for the primary users but also for the visitors.
Outside of Perimeter Block
A perimeter block that responds well to the main avenues to form an impressive character through its massing as well as permeability to allow pedestrian, vehicular within the block and ease the movement.
Enclosure, Surprise, Scale
The central space surrounded by the magnificent landmark business towers that are set to form an enclosure for the central public square. Focal point and vistas are created on a city scale visible from long distances. Sunken plaza ensuring visibility from the roadside.
Inside of Perimeter Block
More informal and semi-private space which can be maintained, nurtured and utilized in a sustainable fashion by occupants. The focal point is well captured from this internal space.
Cluster development
More open, more public and inviting arrangements of block ensures and encourages the individual business. The building blocks face the common plot green space and integrates its landscape with a private functional avenue.
The large characteristic blocks can be designed to acts as landmark buildings with large footprints yet providing complete permeability through its design access social public squares by the means of subways and safe pedestrian movemen
Design Principles
The design seeks to create an identity on a global level through its integrated sustainable development, enhancing work and social environment, to attract business around the world. To achieve this, the concept avails the two avenues connecting existing cities to create a large, monumental space at its centre.
Perimeter blocks are developed surrounding this central space having large green quarters with indigenous trees to act as lungs of urban environment establishing a variety of footprints available within walkable distance enhancing the quality of the development.
The spaces are designed based on the semi-arid climate of Ahmedabad as well as the behavioural pattern of the people. Large green parks developed over the parking lots with indigenous trees to act as lungs of urban environment. Medium canopy trees along the streets provide shade to promote pedestrian environment.
Design Evolution
Integrating civic infrastructure:
The masterplan incorporates civic infrastructure of health care centres, postal office, police enquiry centres, RTO service centres, public restrooms, Vehicular service centres. Pedestrian network efficiently connects public transport.
To encourage and facilitate young women in corporate workforce, development of crèches and nursery are promoted, thereby aiming for a sustainable social growth. Dedicated zone for development of business hotels is reserved to cater to the needs of large corporates. The billboard sizes to be maintained at lower heights to maintain sight lines.
Green Development:
Considering the hot, semi-arid climate of the city, large green parks developed over the parking lots with indigenous trees act as lungs of urban environment. Medium canopy trees along the streets provide shade to promote pedestrian environment.
Pedestrian Network:
Shaded pedestrian network interconnects all quarters through green avenues and parks. The bus terminal (private + public) is centrally located with ideal pedestrian connectivity for efficient dispersal of traffic. The pedestrian avenues are aligned to create vistas of the central landmark tower.
Perimeter Block Design:
The masterplan is divided into eight quarters facilitating development of varied scale from individual buildings to corporate campuses. Each quarter has its own green parks, parking blocks, rainwater harvesting systems, wastewater management systems making it self-sufficient. The parking blocks are provided with multiple entry /exits for transition of traffic.
An Environment for Social Sustainability
The central park with a viewing monumental tower is designed as the focal point of the masterplan. It acts as a social centre with retail frontage development proposed around its periphery connected through subways. The public square is lowered by 2M for physical isolation from vehicular movement and continuous visual vistas throughout the site. Their combinations of shaded and open areas provide large spaces for informal and social activities. From controlled temporary hawing to children’s play area outdoor exhibition to street plays, the public square is designed to promote social interaction. Shaded pedestrian network interconnects all quarters through green avenues and parks. The bus terminal private + public) is centrally located with ideal pedestrian connectivity for efficient dispersal of traffic. The pedestrian avenues are aligned to create vistas of the central landmark tower. The pedestrian avenues are aligned to create vistas of the central landmark tower. Hawking is an integral part of Indian fabric as they facilitate an informal social environment through the streets. The proposal incorporates space for permanent and temporary urban vendor as a part of the streetscape while maintaining the formal urban fabric. It helps integrate global with local- food retail culture, thereby helping cater to a cosmopolitan working community.
