search

IF.BE Ice Factory Ballard Estate | Malik Architecture

The 140-year-old Ambico Ice Factory is located in Ballard estate, the heart of Mumbai’s heritage precinct. We have reimagined the space as IF.BE (Ice Factory Ballard Estate), is an organism that merges art, exhibition, events, performances, gatherings, food, and design. Essentially it is a space for encounter, organized within beautiful but aging structures surrounding a large Banyan tree. Time, arbitrary additions, and asymmetric structural and infrastructural loading had caused a level of damage and decay that was revealed through a patient and assiduous examination of walls, foundations, roofs, etc.

Visit: Malik Architecture

IF.BE Ice Factory Ballard Estate | Malik Architecture

Editor’s note : “Malik Architects’ skillfully refurbished Ice Factory emerges as a haven seamlessly woven into its natural surroundings. A captivating roof lantern takes centre stage, its graceful framework gently scattering sunlight throughout. Ingeniously repurposing industrial remnants into fresh configurations, the space undergoes a metamorphosis into an organic sanctuary. Amidst towering banyan trees, the robust brick walls exude an aura of rediscovery, inviting contemplation within a tranquil embrace.” ~ Venessa Thomas (Co-Editor)

The drawing archives revealed a continuous courtyard connecting Calicut and Cochin Street, which was now cluttered with ad-hoc structures and metal roofs. Within this courtyard, an old banyan tree sits alongside the chimney of the factory. The coherence of the load-bearing, wooden-trussed, north-lit interior spaces has been somewhat vitiated by successive divisions and alterations. The roots of the tree, growing within the premises, had been choked under rubble and concrete. This tree provided the spark of inspiration that birthed the project – the shift from the Ambico Ice Factory to IF.BE.

The recovery of the courtyard, restoring safety and clarity to the existing structure, revealing the organizational and physical anatomy, allowing the Banyan tree to breathe, and finding a way to shelter the new/additional spaces through a dialogue with the original structures was critical. There is no need to search for a new language, the triggers lie within the existing architecture. For four months, the factory’s decades-old plaster walls were gently scraped before the first semblance of brickwork could emerge. The building’s vintage Burma teak woodwork, lost to time, was slowly uncovered.

The main Ice Factory, sub-station, cold storage, and the ice-cubing area required intensive examination and surgical intervention through retrofits to stabilize crumbling, warped, and leaking walls, sagging roofs and trusses (some of which had detached from their bearings). The existing North-light truss roofs are extended over the Cathedral but this undergoes two mutations to rotate 90 degrees to form the East-light roofs, while simultaneously dipping sharply towards the existing stone boundary wall to preserve light and ventilation for the neighboring structure. The pitched lantern roof of the sub-station extends over the courtyard and impacts the large glass walls of the newly formed ‘Cathedral’ Space.

Industrial artifacts found on site were creatively repurposed to evoke the factory’s history – giant cooling coils used to manufacture ice have been embedded in the glass floor towards the entrance, giving the space a museum-like quality. The original gantry, used to move slabs of ice, continues to be housed in the Ice Factory and be mobilized as part of art installations as well as used to innovatively partition the room. The suturing is imagined to heighten the fragile, almost tenuous relationship between the  ‘Found’ and the ‘Made’. It manifests the true nature of IF.BE is an exploration of the liminal space between speculation (IF) and reality (BE). IF.BE is a “seed” for urban regeneration in a largely commercial heritage precinct.

The current attitude towards development in this precinct favors the demolition of industrial spaces that do not fall within the Grade-I heritage umbrella. IF.BE is meant to be an example of holistic and sustainable development, and to serve as a reference for the present and future. It becomes an exercise in micro-urbanism, adaptive reuse, and a space for discourse in the public realm. Its message is material and notional. It serves as an example of sustainability through preservation. The suturing of spaces with different quantities of light, dimension, volume, and material around the Banyan tree forces one to engage with the space in unconventional ways unlike the “all white” gallery spaces or “black box” performance venues. Users and curators are encouraged to formulate their own conversations with the space and its evolving program.

Designed by: Malik Architecture

Project size: 10870 Sq.ft

Year built: 2022

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Consultants of the project:

Manufacturers:  Mascon Const. & Interior, Mohit Interiors, TRG international

Structure Engineering: Global Engg. Services

Project Coordination: Madiha Qureshi

Principle Architect: Kamal Malik & Arjun Malik

Design Team: Sundeep Sarangi, Makarand Sathaye, Dhruvil Gandhi, Jignesh Vadhia, Hitesh Gwalani

Photograph Courtesy:Bharath Ramamrutham

Source: Archdaily

Firm’s Website Link: Malik Architecture

Firm’s Instagram Link: Malik Architecture

This Modern Traditional Kerala House Stands As A Refined Architectural Response | i2a Architects Studio

Situated in the bustling residential neighbourhood of Koorkenchery, Thrissur, Dr. Lakshmi’s residence stands as a refined architectural response to a narrow 15.53 cent plot. The 4214.07 sq ft home is a seamless blend of modern traditional kerala house, with an Indonesian inspired grey white exterior that exudes sophistication. The design strategically employs linear planning, integrating […]

Read More

10 Tropical Houses in India: A Symphony of Design and Nature

Imagine a home that breathes with the breeze, where sunlight filters through lush foliage, and the vibrant hues of nature are an extension of your living space. Tropical houses are architectural marvels; a profound dialogue between human habitation and the natural world, born from centuries of adapting to warm, humid climates. Far from rigid structures, […]

Read More

This Office Design Architecture in Bangalore Creates a Mindful Visitor Experience | Source Architecture

In the heart of Bangalore’s expanding peripheries, amidst a landscape of dry earth and scattered industrial activity, Elements of Nature emerges not just as a marketing and sales office but as an orchestrated experience in office design architecture—an architectural dialogue between structure, materiality, and the senses. Designed by Sneha Ostawal, founder of Source Architecture, this […]

Read More

Neo-Futuristic Architecture in India: Reshaping Skylines

Neo-Futuristic Architecture is an avant-garde movement that pushes the boundaries of design, technology, and sustainability. In India, this architectural style is gaining momentum, reflecting the nation’s aspirations towards innovation and modernity. This is the world of Neo-Futuristic Architecture, a dynamic and forward-thinking style that embraces innovation, technology, and sustainability to envision the cities of tomorrow. […]

Read More

This Indore Home is a Rooted and Intimate Family Retreat | The Brass Frame Design Studio

Nestled in the vibrant yet serene cityscape of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, this Indore home on a 3,700 sq. ft. L-shaped plot is not just a dwelling but a composition of light, material, and emotion. With a construction area of 8,300 sq. ft., the home was completed in 2024 after two years of thoughtful design and […]

Read More

This Dwelling Is A Contemporary Take On Traditional Maharashtrian Houses | RM+H Architects

The way we design spaces that people inhabit goes beyond mere functionality. It requires an intentional sensitivity to how each detail shapes the overall experience and interaction with the surrounding ecological context. Nestled in the suburban periphery of Nashik, the project occupies a 3700 sq. ft. plot located at the dead-end of a street, adjacent […]

Read More

Kerala Style Homes: 15 Must-Know Projects In India

Kerala style homes have courtyards surrounded by rooms on each side. Traditional Kerala-style homes have a central courtyard known as Nadumuttam surrounded by rooms. These homes promote natural light and ventilation according to the region’s climate. These homes, due to the feature of courtyards as their core spaces, offer beautiful opportunities for social gatherings. This […]

Read More

This Bungalow Style House Is Rooted in Vastu and Modernism | The ART Container

This bungalow style house influences the site context and can be visualised in multiple facades of sharp edges & cuboidal form. Her,e salient features like U-Projection are an expression of the bench on a level one. The house divides itself into three bays. On the ground floor, where first bay acquire all public activities like […]

Read More

This Contemporary Tropical House Design Captures The Essence Of Rural Charm | Urban Hive

As cities continue to grow and evolve, there is a growing desire to incorporate elements of rural living into urban design. By embracing rural living principles, cities can create more eco-friendly and sustainable spaces. Rural living is not just about wide-open spaces and rolling hills. It’s also about community, sustainability, and a connection to nature. […]

Read More

This Tropical Home Design Features A Striking Sloped Terracotta Roof In Kerala | Vriksha Architects

Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]

Read More
  • Can you have underfloor heating with resin floors?

    Guaranteed Delivery, White Glove Services - Why Luxury Moving Companies Are Superior