Zarko (Architecture)

corporate building Commercial Building dholpuri stone cladding stone cladded building contemporary facade zero window building massive facade

Being the owner of a ceramic tiles production company, the client wanted to build an exhibition space cum showroom for ceramic tiles products.

The site is located in Morbi city in the Gujarat state, India. Being the dry and steppe climate with not much rainfall, the aim was to design a climate responsive building.

The building is composed of three stories accommodating two different functions. All administrative functions are located in ground floor while other stories has display gallery of finished products.

All the facades of the building is crafted with Natural Dholpuri stone with its natural finish surface and has been designed in such way that it enclose the internal spaces from outside's dusty atmosphere. The building have no windows in south facade which protect inner spaces from harsh sun light. To solve the problem of air ventilation, a full heighted cylindrical volume has been provided which not only circulate the air but also reduce heat because of water features provision at the top of it. This cylindrical volume is also gives pleasant sound of rain while entering the building. This idea was highly inspired from 'Deeg palace’ of Rajasthan.

While designing the flooring, the idea was to give China mosaic flooring but to save man power, time and to utilize their own creative production, we have designed tiles which gives resembles to China mosaic flooring. Internal spaces is entirely painted by earthen colours.

In ground floor, the user flow starts with reception and waiting area which further leads to central passage. In lone continuous central passage, a zigzag shaped wall is used as partitions dividing the private and semi-private spaces. It also stands as an art element of building by applying a customized rough plaster.