mixed use building case study in india

India House, Pune by Christopher Charles Benninger: Inspired by Traditions

The term ‘mixed-use’ developments in the context of a quintessential modern Indian city like Pune is a fittingly appropriate concept, as it advocates flexibility in space design and helps maximize the scope of sustainable development. 

Mixed-use properties cater to and comprise commercial, residential, cultural, and sometimes even industrial functions. These properties are often designed on compact pieces of land and deemed to be a resourceful way of utilizing and revitalizing certain underdeveloped areas. 

Set in a mixed urban fabric,  India House , one such remarkable mixed-use building designed by Christopher Charles Benninger (Principal Architect, CCBA), houses the firm’s corporate architecture studio, a guesthouse, an art gallery, public spaces, and even the architect’s residence. 

This article sheds light on the design philosophy , planning, concept, and highlights of this structure. 

Concept and Style 

Sitting on a modest urban plot of 1000 sqm, the design of India House is based on the concept of the Maharashtrian courtyard dwelling, also known as  wada . While most wadas today are being conserved or adaptively reused, Christopher Benninger has managed to keep their essence alive in India House by drawing inspiration from their design characteristics. 

The massing of this building is a well-ordered configuration of three almost equal-sized volumes, the middle volume acting as an atrium to admit sunlight and breezes. The atrium also acts as a unifying element in the anatomy of the structure, seamlessly tying together the various degrees of privacy of the spaces that surround it. 

It is especially noteworthy that, despite being a mixed-use establishment, the utmost care has been taken to ensure that none of the functions clash with the others. This means that the building can simultaneously function as a full-capacity architecture studio while entertaining an artists’ group in the art gallery equally efficiently without the functions of either being disrupted.

The planning of India House owes its flexibility to the wholesome and meticulous area program. Akin to the hierarchy of spaces followed in a  wada , the public, semi-public and private spaces in this building are organized clearly. 

Christopher Charles Benninger designed the central courtyard as the main public gathering space where many festivities, pujas, and community events are often held. It also serves as an inviting plaza for people who enter the space from the outside hustle of the city. The house also has assigned private spaces like offices that are subtly given a layer of privacy with the street area and the courtyard. 

The street forms a breakout space and adds character to the complex. Landscaping has been used as a tool with the dual purpose of beautification and also acts as a buffer space while establishing said hierarchy. The architect has used water liberally as an element in the form of lap pools and lotus ponds, which also help optimize the microclimate of the premises.  

Within the building, jack-arches with concrete frames coupled with double-height spaces advocate a level of porosity through the building. The elevation facing the approach road is solid and makes the composition look strikingly modern. The facades are either solid or are regulated with windows in granite frames to bring sunlight and ventilation into the spaces within. 

Christopher Charles Benninger has adopted the concept of traditional screens or  jaali , lining the internal elevations of the main courtyard with operable louvres, which help to cut off unnecessary glare and regulate north light. The jaali louvres also attribute a sense of privacy to the atrium space. 

Clad in sandstone, the external façade facing the arterial road is adorned with hand-carved emblems and motifs of all beliefs and religions as an ode to secularism and also to serve as a reminder of the dwindling crafts in the country. 

Additionally, the sandstone façade facilitates the blocking out of sound, making it an internal-reflecting space. A believer in critical regionalism, the architect has used locally sourced Indian stones like kadappa and marble extensively in the building. 

Noteworthy Characteristics

Entrance portal.

Christopher Benninger highlighted the entrance by providing a contrast to the sandstone façade, in the form of an eighteenth-century wooden door, or  Mahadwara , which was salvaged from an ancient haveli in north India. 

Upon entering the  Mahadwara , following the line of sight of the user, one’s gaze automatically becomes fixed upon a large bust of Shiva which was crafted in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.    

Local Arts and Crafts

The interior and exterior spaces are interspersed with bronze statues, paintings, and crafts from all over the sub-continent. Murals that bring out Indian values and sentiments also accent the spaces. Bhutanese prayer wheels introduced near the entrance portal with lush planting, flanked by a lotus pond, transport the user to a space that is significantly different from the chaos of the urban life outside. 

Internal spaces are adorned with many traditional and contemporary artworks and folk crafts by various artisans from around India. Some artisans also live in the residences for short periods to help revive the fading craftsmanship and skills of the traditional arts and further contribute to the ambience of the building. 

A landscape architect with a great zeal for writing, Manali believes that spaces shape our behavior and our fundamental understanding of reality. She loves to travel and then paint her travels with watercolor and words. She is a hopeful realist who thinks sustainability is the answer to most issues.

Architectural firms involved in designing the IIT Gandhinagar campus

The CEPT University Library, Ahmedabad by Rahul Mehrotra: Spaces within the spaces

Related posts.

Taj-Ul Masajid, Bhopal

La Mamounia Marrakech, Morocco

Nokha Community Center by Sanjay Puri

Project in-depth: Kurilpa Bridge

Bouillon Nature Retreat by Architecture Brio

Galta Ji Temple, Jaipur

• Architectural Community
• Architectural Facts
• RTF Architectural Reviews
• Architectural styles
• City and Architecture
• Fun & Architecture
• History of Architecture
• Design Studio Portfolios
• Designing for typologies
• RTF Design Inspiration
• Architecture News
• Career Advice
• Case Studies
• Construction & Materials
• Covid and Architecture
• Interior Design
• Know Your Architects
• Landscape Architecture
• Materials & Construction
• Product Design
• RTF Fresh Perspectives
• Sustainable Architecture
• Top Architects
• Travel and Architecture
• Rethinking The Future Awards 2022
• RTF Awards 2021 | Results
• GADA 2021 | Results
• RTF Awards 2020 | Results
• ACD Awards 2020 | Results
• GADA 2019 | Results
• ACD Awards 2018 | Results
• GADA 2018 | Results
• RTF Awards 2017 | Results
• RTF Sustainability Awards 2017 | Results
• RTF Sustainability Awards 2016 | Results
• RTF Sustainability Awards 2015 | Results
• RTF Awards 2014 | Results
• RTF Architectural Visualization Competition 2020 – Results
• Architectural Photography Competition 2020 – Results
• Designer’s Days of Quarantine Contest – Results
• Urban Sketching Competition May 2020 – Results
• RTF Essay Writing Competition April 2020 – Results
• Architectural Photography Competition 2019 – Finalists
• The Ultimate Thesis Guide
• Introduction to Landscape Architecture
• Perfect Guide to Architecting Your Career
• How to Design Architecture Portfolio
• How to Design Streets
• Introduction to Urban Design
• Introduction to Product Design
• Complete Guide to Dissertation Writing
• Introduction to Skyscraper Design
• Educational
• Hospitality
• Institutional
• Office Buildings
• Public Building
• Residential
• Sports & Recreation
• Temporary Structure
• Commercial Interior Design
• Corporate Interior Design
• Healthcare Interior Design
• Hospitality Interior Design
• Residential Interior Design
• Sustainability
• Transportation
• Urban Design
• Host your Course with RTF
• Architectural Writing Training Programme | WFH
• Editorial Internship | In-office
• Graphic Design Internship
• Research Internship | WFH
• Research Internship | New Delhi
• RTF | About RTF
• Submit Your Story

Looking for Job/ Internship?

Rtf will connect you with right design studios.

Mixed Use Tower, Gurgaon

This Mixed Use Tower is a concept influenced by the free body movements of a female ballet dancer, standing tall. The swift dialogue exchange between two ballerinas while dancing depicts the dynamism of the building whist respecting nature. Inspiration has also been taken from flowing water that flows along with the wind and cuts its way through rocks to make deep valleys, thus depicting fluidity merged with strength. Apart from adding a sense of buoyancy, the building incorporates the client’s logo in a three dimensional form, both vertically as well as horizontally, hence re positioning the client’s identity. Altering the idea of a conventional high rise building, breathing spaces have been provided after every seven floors in the tower, in the form of sky courts outlined with landscape designs. These sky courts act as open spaces which can be utilized commercially as recreational zones, adding a delightful mood of lightness in the structure. Reiterating Creative Group’s philosophy of coexistence of architecture and nature, the manicured landscape lets the building breathe with nature.

Talking about the structure, it seems as if the entire building could be a fold-up affair, twisted into circular forms. The tower has been highlighted by adding curves, but at the same time, it has been stabilized with a central core. The building is enveloped with steel vertical bands all around within which a unique jali pattern is used, which not only acts as an aesthetic element but also stabilizes the building oscillation. Adapted from a fluid DNA structure, the intertwined “jali work” adds richness whereas the green band manifests the connection with nature. The flat slab structural system has column less office spaces with structural bracing done at every seven floors.

Architects and Consultants - M/s Creative Group Founding Principal - Prof. Charanjit Shah Principal Architect - Ar. Gupreet Shah Financial and Project Manager - Er. Prabhpreet Shah

Amazing Architecture

• {{ post.title }}
• No result found
• Mixed Use Buildings
• Never Never Cube: A Commercial Building in Mohali, India by...

Never Never Cube: A Commercial Building in Mohali, India by Studio Ardete

Studio Ardete : Located in sec-82 Mohali, a grooming industrial area, this project is a commercial building owning a major focus on being leased out for offices or display centres in the corporate arena.

It was a demanding job to do these two south east facing plots into something that lets happy vibes to everything and everybody around and furthermore , be such a stand that inspires the projects in prenatal state to be of a statute similar , thus , bringing class and pep to the otherwise mundane - grey - bland - boxes.

About this particular project, there stood a possibility of converting a small plot into something big by combining the two parcels of land, thereby creating a fractal system where the client felt the worth of the grandeur which will accelerate the rental income or the commercial value.

Confirming to the local building norms, it is an open laid out plan with fixed height which leaves the designer with the facade to romance with. A small - simple box which blooms in grandeur when you open it or a fancy wallet you unbutton to learn how sorted it would keep you.

Such is architecture. So when 1607/08 were clubbed in sector 82 Mohali , the focus was diabolic; one, to keep the costs low; second, allowing the area a landmark.

An undisputed claim to uniqueness and comfort, around which it was worked to give the clients about this commercial raise. That it keeps robust and to avoid any revamping soon, the facade has been plastered in concrete. Which also, allows an open window for any kind of stone to be fixed as the mood be, besides being quick and easy to clean.

There are no substitutes for all that comes from Mother Nature as it is. So abundant - abundant sunlight which is promised by the cubes queue balconies .of course, with breeze cutting at right angles thro' every room on each floor, which again is taken care of by the glass apertures which are shy of any misery. Basically, to bring about something where while working, one enjoyed one's rightful claim to sunlight and air.

Serenity brings sapience and sanctity. This maxim directed us towards doing the walls inside with simple strokes of paint in beiges and whites. It is through' experience we have learnt that less is more and to boot, it branches towards a good number of experimental endeavours.

The idiosyncrasy of the building is the facade. A concrete facade with balustrades in ivory hued cage frames to which copious oxy planters wave with the breeze.

A two minute break from work to stretch, you get your personal space for coffee instead of long and bland balconies.

Never Never Cube is a matrices of parallelepipeds. Fractals of sun deck, assuring natural light run through the dormers into the dormitories and cubicles of the office, allowing the inmates of this commercial space enough vitamins for the body and soul, this construction took about a year and a half.

All this, and a cherry on the pie... that the building cost is contained at Rs1000 Per sq feet. Please pinch yourself.

The baton of architectural aura, once lit by Le Corbusier , if architects and designers could do their bit and have the spark brighter to illuminate the efforts around the tricity, the purpose would have lived in happy breaths.

Connect with the Studio Ardete

By Naser Nader Ibrahim

• Mixed Use Building
• Mixed-Use Building
• Commercial Building
• Indian Architect
• Purnesh Dev Nikhanj
• Studio Ardete
• Badrinath Kaleru
• Prerna kaleru
• Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar

Leave a comment

Related articles

BRICKS: GRAFT revitalized the historical post office premises, expanding it with two new buildings in Berlin, Germany

EskewDumezRipple reveals Mya and The Shop SLC, a new multifaceted development in Salt Lake City, Utah

House of Olives in Old City of Bar, Montenegro by ARHINGinženjering

Shenzhen Terraces begins construction: architecture for a tropical climate with a theatre, library, and university

Mumbai Development: India Mixed-Use Buildings

Mumbai Development, Indian Building, Project, Photo, News, Design, Property, Image

Mumbai Mixed-Use Development, India, Asia

BDP’s first Indian architectural commission

13 Nov 2009

Mumbai Development

BDP WINS MAJOR MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

BDP has won its first architectural commission in India, following the decision to establish a studio there in early 2010.

The scheme is a 154,000sqm retail-led mixed-use development in Mumbai, for leading Indian developer Khubchandani. It covers a major city block in Mumbai adjacent to an affluent residential area and home to the Indian film industry. The area is populated with many celebrities and Bollywood film stars who will be amongst the spectrum of visitors to the development.

The brief is to develop three parcels of land each with a different use allocation. BDP’s vision is for an urban oasis, which will be a highly sustainable mixed-use development with carefully integrated elements. Taking inspiration from the natural geology of the area, strong building forms will be created. Water and greenery will feature predominantly to create visual delight and a diversity of habitat. The aim will be to achieve a LEED (BREEAM international equivalent) platinum rating.

New civic spaces and lively piazzas will greet visitors. Central to the scheme will be a major luxury high end mall with top name boutiques and gourmet restaurants, and a feature viewing platform. A second main mall will comprise high street shopping and department stores. The two will connect via a tree lined boulevard, which acts as the main pedestrian route lined with cafes and food outlets. Office space will be provided to the east of the development over the main mall, with the northern block housing a hotel, banqueting, residential and leisure uses.

BDP director Adrian Price says: This is an exciting opportunity for BDP to create a stunning landmark development for India’s largest city. Working with the wider city we will create a green oasis in Mumbai and establish a wonderful place to be for both the local population and visitors. Our sustainable and integrated approach will ensure the creation of a successful and memorable destination.

The scheme is could be completed as early as 2013.

Mumbai Development images / information from BDP 131109

Location: Mumbai, India , South Asia

Architecture in India

Indian Architecture Designs – chronological list

Indian Architecture News

New Delhi Architecture Walking Tours by e-architect

Indian Houses

Indian Architect : architecture practice contact details

Mumbai Architecture

BDP Architects

Indian Architecture – Selection

Kiev Hospital Building by BDP

Tbilisi University Hospital by BDP

Comments / photos for the Mumbai Development Indian Architecture page welcome

• Hispanoamérica
• Work at ArchDaily
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy

Mixed Use Architecture

Silt Middelkerke / architectural studio ZJA + Bureau Bouwtechn...

C-PROJECT Commercial and Office Building / GAGAHOHO Architects

Tokyu Kabukicho Tower / Yuko Nagayama & Associates + KUME SEKK...

The N M Bodecker Foundation / Skylab Architecture

Chrome Company HQ Building / JYA-RCHITECTS

Industry Lanes Building / Architectus

Chonburi Multi-Purpose Building / SUPHASIDH

Vasat Vita Office and Residence / Vuumaatra Consultants

QO Apartments / Archetonic

KANAME NO MORI : Keystone Forest Commercial Building / Nori Ar...

Bagh GHushkhaneh Carpet Studio / SE-BÆR Studio

The Wessel Quarter / Vigsnæs+Kosberg++ Architects

Nantou Hybrid Building / URBANUS

The H Residence / Tariq Khayyat Design Partners - tkdp

Padvi The Verandah House / PMA madhushala

Living on the Graveyard / Marc Prosman Architecten

ARCHIVED MASS / AGIT STUDIO

PROJECT YP / AGIT STUDIO

Kalyon Karapınar 1.350 MWp SPP - Central Control Building / Bi...

Oude Office and Café / yutaestudio

Fillome Mixed Use Building / SOSU ARCHITECTS

Multi-unit House in Godeung-dong / Archihood WXY

iCampus Rhenania / HENN

Silom Residence / Yan Group