A Visionary Workspace in Bengaluru

Imagine working in an environment surrounded by lush greenery, water bodies, and open skies. This idyllic vision is a reality in Bengaluru at the Titan Integrity office, a pioneering workspace designed by Mindspace Architects. Resembling a floating cruise ship, this open-air campus stays naturally cool, eliminating the need for air conditioning. The design harmonises with the surrounding lake and greenery, uniquely blending nature and architecture.

The Architects Behind the Masterpiece

Mindspace Architects, founded by Sanjay Mohe, Vasuki Prakash, and Suryanarayanan, is renowned for its commitment to innovative and sustainable design. Their philosophy is rooted in creating spaces that enrich human lives and foster interaction between users and their environments. Swetha A, the lead architect, explains that their approach emphasises blending nature with design to create sensory-engaging experiences.

Embracing Nature and Climate

Climate is critical in architectural design in a tropical country like India. Mindspace Architects strive to create naturally comfortable internal conditions, integrating nature into built forms to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. Their designs respect the five senses and the five elements of nature, using light as a building material to enhance the sensory experience.

Landmark Projects by Mindspace Architects

The Titan Integrity office in Bengaluru is a testament to Mindspace Architects’ design philosophy, but it is not their only noteworthy project. Karunashraya, a hospice for terminally ill patients, and the Hindustan Unilever Research Center, both in Bengaluru, showcase their ability to seamlessly merge indoor and outdoor spaces. The Vellore International School in Chennai is another example, designed to respond to the hot, tropical climate by capturing sea breezes and shielding from intense sun, creating a dynamic learning environment.

Designing the Titan Integrity Office

The opportunity to design the Titan Integrity office came through a closed competition organised by Titan Company Ltd, with six architects participating. Mindspace Architects’ winning design responded to a biophilic design brief, aiming to foster a fulfilling connection with nature. The concept of a ‘bio lake’ influenced the design, with the lake on the site’s eastern side harmonising with the natural contours.

The office buildings and facilities are strategically placed around this bio lake, providing panoramic views and immersing users in a peaceful environment. The site’s natural features are maximised, with the building oriented north-south to allow glare-free natural light and continuous breeze flow, ensuring natural ventilation.

Sustainable and Aesthetic Integration

Swetha emphasises the integration of aesthetics and sustainability in the design. The three-floor structure features terrace gardens at every level, resembling cascading rice fields. These terraces provide insulation, reduce heat, and offer outdoor working spaces and trails for leisurely walks. Over time, greenery on the terraces will envelop the building, making it blend seamlessly with nature.

The design reflects Titan’s core values of innovation, ethics, and trust. The campus, with its wooded trees, water bodies, low-rise buildings, walkways, and outdoor meeting spaces, creates a university-like environment. Natural materials like cobblestones and unpolished granite were used for pathways, and the exterior walls are clad in granite with an insulating air gap to reduce interior temperatures.

Unique Architectural Features

The Titan Integrity office boasts several unique features, including a central spine along the clear water body, a double-height linear space with wide steps, courtyards, product display walls, seating, and informal meeting spaces. This area leads to an atrium connecting to the dining block by the serene water body, enhancing the natural ambience.

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, Mindspace Architects continues to innovate and expand its portfolio. Currently involved in exciting projects in Bhopal and Bhubaneswar, its architecture aims to take inhabitants through time and space, light and darkness, unfolding layers and volumes and stimulating the senses.

Final Words

The Titan Integrity office in Bengaluru symbolises sustainable and human-centric design. Mindspace Architects’ innovative approach and commitment to blending nature with architecture create a harmonious and enriching workspace. This eco-friendly office not only stays naturally cool without air conditioning but also fosters a deep connection with nature, setting a new benchmark for architectural design in the modern world.