The Courtyard Office

A linear office space twists organically in plan creating a large landscaped courtyard within it.

Varying from two to four levels sectionally the office floors are lifted from the ground at the southwest and northeast sides to facilitate south westerly breeze through the courtyard.

The north east and north west corners of the building too are lifted creating singular large volumes at these ends to allow visual contact between floors while housing a cafeteria and a library.

The circulation spine skirts the internal courtyard allowing landscape to be visible whilst moving through the office and the work areas skirt the external periphery opening towards external gardens.

The building shape generates its longest sides oriented towards the north with angled and louvers on the other faces directing the internal spaces northwards thus allowing indirect light throughout the day into all the internal spaces. With all areas naturally ventilated and naturally lit, the indoor spaces are breathable and not dependent on air conditioning and artificial lighting thus rendering the building energy efficient. The external fins are angled as per the direction of the sun reducing heat gain and glare and creating a comfortable environment within for the users.

The large internal open landscaped courtyard has sheltered open spaces that can be used throughout the day. It is shaded on all sides and acts as a gathering space for large events and for recreational activities. The courtyard office derives its principles from the traditional Indian courtyard houses creating office spaces that vary in volumes and in orientation allowing open spaces to be integrated with enclosed ones and creating energy efficient work spaces.

Sanjay Puri, Ruchika Gupta, Dayita Kurvey, Prajakta Panchal, Samantha Fernandes.