VISION

A prominent social institution in the city of Pune is seeking to realize the development potential of their land in the heart of the city. At present, the site which has been leased out to the State Police is underutilized.

The focus of the design exercise is to create a mixed-use tower which can house a modern police station on the lower levels and accommodate the institution’s hospitality offering (banquet, rooms and sky-bar) on the floors above.

As the century-old institutions’ latest building, the tower needs to make a important urban statement as well.

DESIGN

The design draws inspiration from the surrounding site and context, influencing its zoning, access, and programmatic stacking. It prioritizes maximizing views of the cricket ground to the north and the Mutha River to the south for the guest rooms. An efficient, compact service core is in the western and southwestern corners, optimizing usable front-of-house (FOH) floor space while addressing climatic conditions by blocking the harsh western sun and heat gain. The police station on-site is also given careful attention, with a prominent double-height corner entrance, enhancing its authoritative presence on the street.

The building represents a modern interpretation of the century-old Institution, combining contemporary materials, a refreshing integration of biophilic elements, and a modern architectural style.