Global Holcim Awards finalist 2009
Harnessing nature
Energy-efficient office complex
Hyderabad, India
The focus here is on development.
Merrill (SOM) is one of the largest
architecture firms in the world. They built
Its a rewarding experience because
the Sears Tower in Chicago, New Yorks
Time Warner Center and the worlds tallest combined with a can-do attitude
building at a height of over 800, the Burj
are rich traditions and a unique
Dubai. The SOM design for One World
Trade Center, the first office tower to rise
on the World Trade Center site is also
culture.
New York-based Skidmore, Owings &
Mark Igou
currently under construction.
Regional competition
Holcim Awards Bronze 2008 Asia Pacific; jury appraisal page 112
A new office complex on the outskirts of
solutions which best suit local condit
the Indian city of Hyderabad harnesses a
With seven offices worldwide, it is no
Part of a global firm, Mark Igou has his
Collaborating with some of Indias
resource the country is rich in, but which many
surprise to learn the firm is active in India.
feet firmly rooted in the soil where he
foremost academics and research
SOM Director Mark Igou leads the firms
works. You can apply the old adage
specialists to develop a meaningful
practice in India and currently oversees
think global, act local to what were
understanding of local issues combin
the Hill Country Special Economic Zone
doing here, he says. Although SOM is
with the firms legacy of design and
(SEZ) Office Complex project a
an international practice with global
technical innovation delivers architec
sustainable office complex in Hyderabad
expertise, it also possesses a deep
seamlessly integrated to local conditi
that sets new standards on the sub-
understanding of the cultural, environ-
and needs, Mark Igou explains.
continent. Mark Igou is a passionate
mental and political issues which are most
ambassador for his work in India. The
relevant to India. We can bring all this
The solution proposed by SOM for the
country just buzzes with life, he explains.
global thinking together to develop
County Special Economic Zone (SEZ) o
architectural solutions have sought to escape
in the past the sun. In so doing, it manages
to meet two seemingly conflicting objectives
to maximize shading as well as the use of
daylight. The result is a significant reduction
in energy consumption.
202
Global thinking, local action
Walk to work is the tagline for the
concept.
the outskirts of Hyderabad is a case in
point. SEZs are government-backed export
processing zones to fast-track economic
Mark Igou
development and foreign investment.
2007 when the Energy Conservation
Building Code was established. The n
office complex is on target to achieve
LEED Gold rating, and promises to pio
Some 100 such zones already exist; a
be stuck in traffic chaos, which is neither
reduces energy consumption compared
change a new standard for sustainab
further 250 are in development. As well as
economically nor environmentally sound.
to the average Indian office building by
design on the sub-continent. This cli
designing an iconic building for Hill
The master plan envisions a mixed-use
35-40%. This effectively reduces the buil-
isnt mild, Mark Igou points out. The
Countys developer, Maytas Properties,
development programmed with public
dings overall carbon emission, a concern
can be relentless but an understand
SOM are responsible for the zones overall
amenities such as parks, plazas and com-
emphasized by the government of India in
of the harsh local climate informs the
master plan.
munity centers. Living and recreational
buildings numerous sustainable inno
space for up to 30,000 people is antici-
tions.
Enhancing the quality of life
pated. Walk to work is the tagline for the
The master plan takes into account local
concept and encouraged by an attractive
Natural or artificial lighting?
living and work practices together with an
streetscape design, higher quality of life
The SOM Team had four objectives for
analysis of the current state of the
is the goal.
design concept: to reduce energy cons
tion, improve worker comfort, ensure l
regions infrastructure. People generally
come to work by bus in India, Mark Igou
Sustainable design in a contrary climate
maintenance costs over the life of the
explains. But the roads here dont have
Currently under construction, the Hill
building, and decrease reliance on pub
the capacity to support all of the proposed
Country SEZ Office Complex will house
infrastructure. All our objectives were
development. The SEZ, therefore, will only
around 3,000 workers across 110,000
response to the situation, for example
be able to function optimally if workers
square meters of space in the IT and IT-
to improve worker comfort. Mark Igou
live in its vicinity otherwise they would
The new office complex is only one part of the overall master plan for the Hill County Special Economic Zone.
enabled sector. Its intriguing design
Mark Igou.
explains that in many IT company offi
workspaces are cramped and there is little
energy balance is disturbed. By keeping
Outages are a common occurrence,
infrastructure. We are developing our own
cept, they will reconnect those who work
by bridges. The layout is organized aro
natural light. To minimize direct sunlight
sunlight out, office spaces must be
disrupting work days and schedules, and a
sustainable solutions. Strategies to
within with the wider world outside.
a series of interior courtyards which a
turning the building into an oven, most
artificially lit, and in India, this accounts for
major problem for a country that wants to
increase both worker comfort and building
Yet, the idea is not new. The concept ori-
sun-light to penetrate down into the
offices have heavily tinted windows, he
some 60% of all energy consumption. The
continue to grow. On the contrary, it
performativity include interior courtyards
ginates from Indias ancient architectural
buildings core a solution which is
says. The effect, however, is not just an
load this places on power infrastructure is
contributes to decentralization and a desire
and light wells, and exterior shading
philosophy Vastu Sastra which seeks to
optimized to harness the suns energy
issue of worker comfort it means the
massive, and growing, Mark Igou explains.
to minimize reliance on government
devices based on vernacular Indian
create harmony between the built environ-
and decreases dependence on electric
architecture.
ment and the five natural elements earth,
lighting. In this way, the design succes
water, fire, air and space.
fully meets two seemingly conflicting
Minimal reduction
in solar radiation
Extruded model east and north faades
Connecting inside and out
Stepped model east and north faades
objectives to maximize shading as w
In SOMs case this meant feeding a
in action. For its own sake, and beyond.
plethora of data concerning rainfall, wind
Nature is not the enemy, Mark Igou says.
direction, sun exposure and temperature
While this strategy is low-tech, the
We spend much of our lives disconnected
into their computers. The modeled clima-
result for energy savings and building
from the real world moving from our
tic conditions and analysis significantly
comfort are high-impact. The buildin
air-conditioned houses, to air-conditioned
informed the buildings overall design.
workspaces are contained in the nort
south wings in relatively narrow floo
cars, to drive to air-conditioned offices.
30% reduction
in solar radiation
as the use of daylight.
The buildings design is energy-efficiency
High impact, low-tech
plates, 22 meters in width. The east a
As a result, the SOM team challenged this
The office complex is lean, and low-rise.
west wings, subject to high radiation
paradigm by understanding climactic
It is constructed in two sections, connected
levels, are occupied by cores containin
challenges and developing design strategies that harness their potential. By
Extruded model west and south faades
Stepped model west and south faades
harnessing the suns energy in their con-
Nature is not the enemy.
Mark Igou
Passively and
virtually green
The belief that cutting edge architectural des
and energy efficiency cannot be combined is
shattered by some contemporary office build
designs. Skidmore, Owing and Merrill (SOM) w
complete Chinas first zero-net energy skyscra
terms of operating energy in 2010. The Pearl R
Tower faade captures wind to power turbine
help to reduce dependence on conventional e
sources. The building will also tap into sun, co
water aquifers and other available natural en
streams. But how is a design tested before th
foundations are placed?
Passive energy design from computer genera
modeling is a big part of the solution. Individ
buildings are modeled with solar orientation
their exteriors to keep out the summer heat b
allow warning light in winter. Interiors use pa
ric modeling to heighten passive solar access
maximum office productivity, and thermal im
software to optimize energy efficient perform
Combined with geothermal heating and cool
designs, and integrated active photovoltaic so
skins.
Vertical shading fins are positioned at varying but fixed
angles they are inspired by the traditional perforated
stone screen jali.
outwards toward the south to reduce solar
fixed to the building but the angle of their
gains. However, it is the faade design
positioning, determined through extensive
which particularly stands out.
shading coefficient analysis, varies. The
elevator shafts, stairs, toilets and other
ideal would have been to constantly vary
A good project is the product of a
well-developed process.
Mark Igou (pictured above)
service rooms. Self-shading effects are
A system of vertical shading fins runs the
the angles of the fins throughout the year
energy. This then became the most
construction of the complex. The design
Structure reflects the landscape
achieved from stepping the building up,
full length of the building. The fins are
but that needs too much additional
sustainable solution achieving an 88%
aims to ensure low maintenance costs
The complex takes full advantage of i
optimization with this method, Mark Igou
over a long building life as well as being
contoured and rocky terrain, elevating
says. The fins are aesthetic as well as
flexible enough to not require structural
as extensions of the contours them-
functional. They are inspired by the jali, a
adjustments over time.
selves. A ribbon effect is created as th
structure reflects the landscape into
vernacular perforated stone screen, and
According to SOMs calculations, the
which it is grafted. Weve taken the
higher capital costs to realize construction
opportunity to interpret traditions an
Better atmosphere, less turnover
will be amortized in two years by the
harness the optimism of the country
Other contributions to the sustainable
reduced energy consumption. Mark Igou is
much as the energy of the sun in our
performance of the building focus on
pleased with the progress. We have
design.
water use. Rainwater is harvested for
created a better atmosphere in which
irrigation and aquifer replenishment.
people can work, he says. Higher
Red thread of sustainability
Onsite sewage treatment enables the
employee satisfaction is a welcome by-
Coupled with that optimism is the re
processing and re-use of grey-water for
product of improved working conditions.
thread of sustainability that binds th
non-potable uses, including chilled water
Indias IT industry experiences significant
whole together. Or as Mark Igou simp
for air handling units. In addition, local
turnover rates, not least because of this
says: A good project is the product of
materials and techniques are used in the
reason.
well-developed process.
incorporate the traditional Kolam pattern.
The building is stepped-up towards the south self-shading is the result.
