Polycab Experience Centre by FHD India respects its context and serves as a template for sustainable building methodology

Located in Halol, the industrial hub of Gujarat, the Polycab Experience Centre, designed by architect Sriram Ramakrishnan of FHD India, aims to bring together 3 primary programs – a corporate office, experience centre, and an auditorium under one sustainable roof. Polycab is one of India’s largest cable manufacturers.

The geometry of the building intends to protect the existing trees on site. The auditorium floats above an atrium, connecting the office zone and experience centre, while the atrium connects to the factory behind. The double block configuration self-shades the central landscape court, while the conference room as a bridge connects the two blocks across the court. The Basement G+ 3 storey office block houses the employees and amenities. The experience centre houses a museum of the company’s exhibits and conference facilities. The auditorium is accessible from both spaces.

A 15m cantilever gate marks the arrival from the main road. The drop-off is at the shaded atrium, from where the user can enter either the office or the experience centre. The atrium expresses curvilinear intersecting beams at the ceiling. The office has a triple height naturally lit entry lobby. The wall mural depicts the “Banyan tree”, characteristic of the local culture, as well as copper that carries energy inside a cable to create light. The mural is complemented by suspended glass leaves forming the chandelier on the roof.

Each office floor overlooks the central atrium. The cafeteria on the top floor is naturally lit while overlooking the natural views. It has an accessible activity terrace above the conference bridge, overlooking the landscape. The landscape uses repurposed – cable packing trays that are locally available.

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The project is designed to become a Net-Zero energy building. The balcony overhangs horizontally shade the southern façade. The façade is designed with Low-E glass and aluminium fins on the East that are designed as per solar angles. The fins are designed to maximize views of the nearby hills and maximize daylight to the office areas while shading the direct sun. The combined setup reduces the energy requirement of the building by 20% from the base case of unshaded regular glass.

The solar system on the roof designed for 195KW capacity offsets 40% of all energy needs of the building. The additional solar panels laid on a neighboring factory of the same project, aspires to offset the other 60% of the energy needs, thereby making it a true Net-Zero building. 70% of all construction materials involved were procured within a 100km radius to limit embodied energy. Efficient water fixtures and rainwater well reduce the water need of the building by 30%. The project has been presented as a case study in several international forums such as IDAC Mumbai- 2022 – Green Pavilion for its Sustainable design and ZakWorld of Facades 2022, Hyderabad for its innovative Façade design.

FACT FILE:

Architects: FHD India

Director-Design: Mathan Ramaiah

Lead Architect: Sriram Ramakrishnan

Team: Shageer Khatri, Sundar, Dhurgai Kumaran

Site Area: 2.5 Acres

Built up Area: 100000 ft²

Contractor: Vikram Builders

Landscape Design: Kiasma

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing: Eco First Services Limited

Façade: Alustruct Glazing

Year of Completion: 2022

Photograph courtesy: Shamanth Patil