The fusion of modern technology and traditional elements has redefined the concept of the Zydus Enterprise Park office building. Situated on a bustling road on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, Zydus’ headquarters is designed as a resilient 21st-century workplace. It draws inspiration from the vibrant architecture and rich cultural heritage of Gujarat, while thoughtfully addressing the region’s harsh hot and dry climate.
This massive structure features sharp contours and a fortress-like appearance, inspired by medieval landmarks within Ahmedabad’s city walls: Bhadra Fort, Pavagadh Fort, the stepped well of Adalaj, and the traditional “Bhunga” architecture of Kutch. The west facade is dominated by three exterior walls shaped like city walls, primarily influenced by Bawakad Castle. These walls effectively shield the interior from the harsh summer sun and provide thermal buffering against extreme temperatures.
The hyperbolic weathering steel barriers, mapped with 14,200 data points, incorporate intricate geometric patterns derived from the traditional Ahmedabad metal craft known as “Kansara.” These patterns were parameterized using computational design techniques. Embedded within the walls are triangular glass tubes inspired by the mirror art found in “Banga” houses of Kachi, admired locally for their elasticity and decorative appeal. These glass tubes are coated with a two-tone film that captures the sun’s movement throughout the day, giving the exterior walls a dynamic, kaleidoscopic vitality.
The protective wall extends from east to west, sheltering the office towers arranged along the north-south axis and creating a serene urban oasis. The spacing between the tower clusters provides shaded stepped courtyards, fostering a comfortable microclimate that encourages outdoor leisure and social interactions. The pillarless work hall is designed to eliminate glare entirely, utilizing 100% natural daylight without requiring blinds, thus removing the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours.
By employing passive design principles and climate-responsive strategies, the building achieves a remarkably low Energy Performance Index (EPI) of 56 kilowatt-hours per square meter annually, reducing energy consumption by 50% compared to optimal green building standards. Beyond its environmental function, the walls also incorporate social incubation spaces for over two thousand workers. The circulation corridor between the walls runs the full length of the site and includes rest areas, seating niches, dining facilities, employee engagement zones, visitor lounges, and workstations designed for brainstorming and informal meetings. This corridor acts as a central spine connecting all formal workspaces. In the current context, it also serves as a flexible social distancing area to safely disperse employees.
The architectural surfaces and surrounding terrain blend fluidly, creating a unique geomorphic pattern. This design integrates the five elements of nature, applying a hierarchy of details and materials. One of the key challenges was merging the ancient craftsmanship traditions with the precision required for the geometric wall forms.
Surface treatments incorporate local handicrafts and traditional construction methods, including freshly watered stone flooring, cast cement base color bricks, and handmade metal furniture and fixtures. The project embodies values of fairness and transparency in the workplace, which are central to its architectural philosophy.
By emphasizing simple passive design and efficient architectural principles, the building reinterprets Gujarat’s rich craft heritage in a contemporary context. It is poised to become a benchmark for both global and local commercial architecture.
Project Drawings
△ Location Analysis
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
Typical Floor Plan
△ Section Diagram
△ Exploded Diagram
△ Analysis Chart
Project Details
Architect: Morphogenesis
Area: 840,000 ft²
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Noughts & Crosses LLP
Design Team: Neelu Dhar; John Alok De Cruz; Aakansha Aggarwal; Munazza Akhtar
Client: Zydus Cadila Group
Architect: Morphogenesis
Electrical Consultant: Sanelac Consultants
Environmental Design: SGS India
Facade Consultant: Meinhardt Façade Technology
Lighting Design: AWA Lighting Designers
AV Consultant: KLM Designs
Transportation Consultant: Transfic
Civil Contractor: PSP Projects
Structural Design: Sterling
Location: Ahmedabad, India
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