Highlighting Ar. Ashok B Lall's Work

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

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Ashok B Lall studied architecture and fine arts at the University of Cambridge, in the United Kingdom and also studied at the Architectural Association (AA), London, where he obtained his diploma (1970).

He is actively engaged in the development of the architectural curricula for the Indian context, and contributes regularly to national professional journals in architecture.

In addition to membership of various professional bodies, he is an active advocate of sustainable architecture in India.

Ashok B Lall is Principal of Ashok B Lall Architects in New Delhi, India.

His philosophy as he has stated is: We must serve in the best possible way the legitimate need of our client. Equally, we must see that the means and ends of the building design solutions we propose also serve a larger beneficial purpose.

We believe that creative practice of architecture would seek to converge this duality into a unity.

Image 01 - IRRAD, Gurgaon (Courtesy ashokblallarchitects.com)

ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE/INFLUENTIAL PROJECTS His practice has executed projects for educational research institutions in many parts of India, and specializes in low-energy sustainable architecture. Recent projects in India include the Indian Institute of Health Management Research, Jaipur; Sehgal Foundation, Gurgaon and Development Alternatives World Headquarters, New Delhi. He is engaged in several initiatives for the improvement of public spaces in cities and affordable housing.

Being actively engaged in the development of the architectural curricula for the Indian context, and contributes regularly to national professional journals in architecture.

Image 02 - DAWH,, New Delhi (Courtesy ashokblallarchitects.com )

Image 03 - IIIT, Delhi (Courtesy ashokblallarchitects.com )

Image 04 - Dune House (Courtesy ashokblallarchitects.com)

Image 05 – IIHMR, Jaipur (Courtesy ashokblallarchitects.com)

The use of different elements that can create interesting shadow patterns are extensively seen in his work and that generally stands out in the facade of his projects.Â

ASHOK B LALL

1948

NEW DELHI | INDIA

Architect, Fine artist, Academician.

CELEBRATING INDIA IN 72 ARCHITECTS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Image 06 - plan and section (Courtesy ashokblallarchitects.com )

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This is an office building designed to meet the demands of a modern office, with high level of environmental comfort, integration of systems to support information technology, with flexibility and adaptability for growth and change.

Three stories of offices and a basement surround the central court.

The basement houses building services and some work spaces too.

The entire building plan is based on a planning grid of 1.4 m x 1.4 m which coordinates the ceilings with airconditioning and light fittings, locations for partitions as well as external windows - to permit a high degree of flexibility in layouts for offices.

The building opens towards its entrance through a planted and shaded forecourt with a water pool.

The orientation of all the interior spaces is towards the central court, with the exception of the managing director’s suite which enjoys its own garden terrace on the top floor.

DESIGN STRATERGY A prototype for the modern city office. A climate responsive solution based on the courtyard principle.The building achieves a high level of energy efficiency at practically no extra cost.All materials are indigenous and attain a new aesthetic in this contemporary form.

CONCEPT Although this is an air-conditioned building, it attempts an interactive interface with the external environment to achieve greater energy efficiency.The basic design strategy is inspired by the traditional inward-looking haveli plan. The central fountain courtyard acts as an environment generator for the office spaces opening toward it. The external skin is treated as a solid insulated wall with peep windows for possible cross-ventilation and higher windows for daylight. Selection of materials and system of environmental control is prioritised in favour of sustainability and efficiency in energy consumption so that a significant feature of energy saving is actually the economy of the building envolope

References: http://www.ashokblallarchitects.com/ Magazines : architecture+design march-april 1993, architecture+design sept-oct 20001, CW interiors january 2009, 581 architects in the world.

ASHOK B LALL

TCI HEADQUARTERS, Gurgaon Building Typology : Commercial Built up Area : 2750 sq.m

Image 07 - fountain court (Courtesy ashokblallarchitects.com )

Image 08 - Interior of the office (Courtesy ashokblallarchitects.com)

1997 - 99 CELEBRATING INDIA IN 72 ARCHITECTS