architecture 21

Text: Sidhartha Talwar, Design principal, Studio Lotus

Images: Andre J Fanthome

Drawings: Studio Lotus

A jewel amidst

urban sprawl

Striking a balance between maximizing square-footage and creating for itself a unique visual identity in

a sprawling neighbourhood, the design for Temenos proposes a sustainable alternative to contemporary

commercial complexes. It crafts tranquil interior spaces that are far removed from the hubbub of the

urban milieu that it is located amidst.

↑Temenos is a Greek word that translates to a sanctuary or a sacred precinct; the building was hence conceptualized as an urban interface between the public and the private.

C

ommercial development in the National Capital Region is

progressing at an unprecedented rate, with every inch of buildable

space being tapped to accommodate the needs of the rapidly growing

metropolis. Businesses, in tune, are opting for premises whose location

and design help build their brand presence, in addition to providing

an optimal working environment for their employees. Temenos is

a built-to-suit office complex in Lajpat Nagar, a thriving retail hub

Temenos, New Delhi

in New Delhi. The building is located on the Ring Road, one of the

busiest roads in the city; rapid commercialization and infrastructural

development in the recent years has raised the population density of

the locality manifold. In a bid to make the most of the skyrocketing

real estate prices, most commercial complexes in the area are boxed-

in spaces with maximised footprints, and variation in the urbanscape

is scant.