Architectural Features & Concepts

Bringing the conceptual dream into reality with structural ingenuity and finesse is the bottom line of every brief that an architectural engineering firm deals with. The Infosys Technologies Ltd office building at Hinjwadi, Pune was an especially challenging task for the futuristic concept conceived by Architect Hafeez Contractor. The concept having been realised by Construction Catalysers, the building has become an icon reflecting the pride of all involved in its creation. It is a structure embodying the spirit of its users who are people working in the field of computers and software dealing with cutting edge technology; a structure which understands this technology and speaks a similar hi-tech language. The project took six months with a Rs. 13 crores project cost, to construct the unique steel framed shell with glass and aluminium cladding.

The internal built form consists of 1,50,000 sqft of usable floor space on five floors, designed to provide an environment conducive to the software development activity. This internal building structure, with an elliptical footprint, is a conventional structure made of reinforced cement concrete and brickwork. It houses the workspaces, offices, meeting rooms, other ancillary areas and services.

Structural Features & Concept

The uniqueness of the design lies in the enclosing shell created out of steel, glass and aluminium cladding. Doing away with conventional walls, windows or curtain walling, a gigantic enclosure shelters the entire internal structure. The volume enclosed by this shell is whole and continuous unlike that of a conventional building. The complete structure of the shell stands away from the support system of the internal structure. Here, the framed outer shell has a separate structural system.

The enveloping shell has a form derived from an ellipsoid. This partially cut ellipsoid measures 105m along its longer axis and 65m along its shorter axis. It rises to height of 35m and is tilted to an angle of 10 degrees. Due to the tilting, one of its ends appears to be buried into the ground and the other is lifted up. The entrance to the building is from under this raised part. The main entrance has a glass curtain wall with a conical surface that is curved and tilted.

The surface of the ellipsoidal shell, due to its doubly curved character, is strong and rigid, despite being lightweight. It employs grid shell geometry and is a remarkable engineering feat achieved by well detailed innovative architectural engineering. The entire shell rests on an elliptical base ring and a Mediterranean main member, which runs in the vertical plane along the long axis of the ellipsoid. The shell is divided into sixteen radial parts and main structural box sections stiffen these parts. The surface of the shell is formed out of a trapezoidal grid. The individual module of the grid is not curved and instead acts as a facet, which forms a part of the whole ellipsoidal surface.

Special Features

The doubly curved ellipsoidal surface is covered with four types of cladding materials. Each of these performs a function relative to its position and in relation to the climatic conditions. The main central portion, which has maximum exposure to the solar region, is covered with a new composite material called "KALZIP". It is 5 layer metal, insulation, sound barrier and vapour barrier and perforated inner liner. This cladding has large elliptical cut-outs fitted with high performance doubly glazed units to increase the visibility of the inner floors to the outside world. This glass along with the aluminium cladding aids in solar passivation and energy conservation.
Beyond the limits of the opaque cladding some portion of glass has been protected using mesh membrane cladding and horizontal curved fins. Large portions of clear glass are used in the zone that is below the equator that is in shade for most of the time. This clear glass aids the visual dialogue of the inside spaces to the outside landscape. The hi-tech materials and technology work in unison to support the creation of this ellipsoidal form.

Using structural and architectural engineering skills the concept has been given physical shape. The superbly dynamic aesthetics of the building reflect honestly the state of the art construction techniques and functional values of the design .The result is a gigantic futuristic structure which will stand as a landmark for times to come.