The new office campus for IT giant Infosys in Nagpur sets surpasses conventional benchmarks for sustainability and energy efficiency with its green building concept. Situated within the Special Economic Zone adjacent to the city’s upcoming MIHAN commercial hub, the campus accommodates over 2,000 employees across 33 acres (out of a total of 142 acres) in its Phase-1 development, with future phases planned for expansion.
Editor’s Note: With climate-conscious planning, Morphogenesis sets the benchmark for sustainable development with this new commercial hub. By incorporating passive design strategies, the architect meticulously crafted every space to keep the creativity flowing throughout for its users. ~ Rajvi Dedakiya
The Green Building Concept of Infosys Surpasses Conventional Benchmarks | Morphogenesis
The new campus features a net-zero energy-enabled design that responds to Nagpur’s composite climate. The architecture, inspired by Nagpur’s unique latitude (just below the tropic of Cancer), embodies the practice’s S.O.U.L. (Sustainable, Optimized, Unique, and Liveable) design process. Additionally, it incorporates passive design strategies to significantly reduce its energy consumption.
Moreover, the architects prioritized cultural inclusivity and stakeholder participation throughout the design process. Thus, ensuring that the campus reflects the aspirations and values of its users while retaining contextual identity. Collaborative workshops, design charrettes, and feedback sessions facilitated meaningful dialogue between architects, clients, and end-users. As a result, it is a truly inclusive and responsive design solution.
The building’s form and orientation played an integral role in achieving the numerous sustainability goals. It features a distinctive X-shaped plan, with each of the 100m-long wings oriented at 22.5 degrees to the Tropic of Cancer. Additionally, the central intersection forms the core.
However, this intervention, along with limiting the depth of each floor plate to 18m, ensures that 90% of the workspaces receive ample daylight from both sides. Additionally, the morphology responds to programmatic requirements. Thus, establishing a central circulation node that brings together the Offshore Development Centres (ODC) located in the wings.
The Offshore Development Centres (ODC) design achieves high levels of efficiency. Furthermore, the circulation cores occupy roughly twenty percent of the area, while workspaces reserve eighty percent. Moreover, the diverse program includes collaborative workstations, conference rooms, break-out areas, and office pods.
Each workspace is uniquely designed using a myriad of materials and characterizes a distinct shift in flooring patterns, adaptable furniture such as high stools, tables, etc., and a diverse color palette. Additionally, the program includes amenities like gyms and relaxation pockets to promote health and well-being.
Moreover, the utility zones separate from the workplace, optimizing circulation patterns for various user groups. Efficiently designed parking layouts and the strategic placement of service cores enable operations to carry out smoothly without disrupting any workflows.
However, this helps ensure a pedestrian-friendly campus. The low building height maintains proximity to the surrounding landscape, facilitating human-nature interaction.
One of the key design strategies employed was the integration of passive cooling techniques tailored to Nagpur’s climate. Borrowing from traditional architectural principles, the campus features natural ventilation systems and thermal mass elements that regulate indoor temperatures, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.
Vertical fins are strategically oriented at varying angles along the entire length of the facades to regulate the ingress of light. The base hue for the fins is orange, and earthy tones are added to develop a gradient. The design is inspired by the seven swaras (Indian classical music notes) and adds a sense of rhythm and visual dynamism to the building’s exterior.
The fins’ configuration responds to the specific program and is different for workspaces, break-out areas, and meeting spaces. A narrow 40-degree angle is employed for workspaces, whereas the fins open up to a wider, welcoming 60-degree angle in break-out spaces and meeting areas, granting ample views to the adjacent landscape. By decreasing the window-to-wall ratio, coupled with light shelves, glare on workstations is significantly reduced.
The design also integrates state-of-the-art technologies such as a radiant waffle cooling system, projected to result in substantial operational cost savings. This system utilizes the mass of the concrete slabs to absorb and dissipate heat, maintaining comfortable indoor conditions without the need for excessive energy consumption.
The integration of smart building controls further optimizes energy usage, allowing for real-time monitoring and adjustment of environmental parameters. These design strategies have led to a 52% reduction in the Energy Performance Index (EPI) compared to GRIHA benchmarks. This also means that the campus consumes only one-fifth of the energy of a typical office building.
Beyond its functional aspects, the architectural design of the Infosys campus reflects a deep appreciation for cultural and historical contexts. The design borrows inspiration from Nagpur’s rich heritage, incorporating elements of local art, symbolism, and craftsmanship into the built form. Moreover, the perpendicular edges of the building feature monolithic concrete walls and are visualized as urban canvases.
The 30m tall RCC walls showcase a ‘Zero-Mile Location’ contemporary illustration of Nagpur Fort on one end and a mind tree representative of Infosys’ work culture on the other. From the contemporary art depicted on the façade to the thematic artwork scattered throughout the interior spaces, every aspect of the campus reflects a celebration of regional identity and tradition.
The Infosys Campus stands as a pioneering 21st-century workspace, showcasing innovative design strategies aligned with sustainability goals and cultural identity. It serves as a model for India’s urbanization challenges (an estimated 1 billion sq. ft. of construction) in the next decade. Thus, emphasizing the importance of responsible architecture in shaping the future of workspaces.
Fact File
Designed by: Morphogenesis
Project Type: Office Architecture Design
Project Name: Infosys Campus
Location: Nagpur, Maharashtra
Year Built: 2023
Project Size: 317535.357 Sq.ft
Architecture & Master Planning: Nanda Kumar & Barani P Karthik
Interiors: Ashish Sengupta
Photograph Courtesy: Paul Raftery
Name Of Client’s Firm: Infosys Limited
Hospitality Designer: Span Asia
Manufacturers: Saint-Gobain, Asian Paints, Blue Pebble Design Studio, Chub systems, Featherlite and Chesters, Havells, KNND Associates Private Limited, Otis Elevator Company (India) Limited, Space Management Systems India Pvt. Ltd., VitrA, Welspun Group
Main Contractor: SOBHA Limited / Structural: TRC Engineering (I) Pvt. Ltd. / Mechanical: Mcd BUILT ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH LABORATORY PVT LTD / Electrical: SOBHA Limited / Civil: SOBHA Limited Landscape: Masterplan Landscapes / HVAC: Mcd BUILT ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH LABORATORY PVT LTD PMC: Diligent PMC / Engineering: TRC Engineering (I) Pvt. Ltd. / MEP: Mcd BUILT ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH LABORATORY PVT LTD / Sustainability: Morphogenesis & Environmental Design Solutions (EDS) Green Certificate: IGBC Platinum / Plumbing: SOBHA Limited / Façade: Sobha Glazing & Metal Works Limited / Fire Fighting Strategy: Mcd BUILT ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH LABORATORY PVT LTD
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Morphogenesis
Firm’s Instagram Link: Morphogenesis
For Similar Projects >> The Brief was to Contemporize Mid-Century Modern Architecture
This multi generational home is a testament to the ability of the design practice to blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Keeping environmental sustainability and the welfare of the community at the forefront, Bhowal designed a home that was truly ahead of its time. His visionary approach and the Design Consortium’s expertise in providing a […]
In this modern luxury home, courtyards spill into living spaces, and the lines between inside and outside dissolve into a seamless whole. This 17,800 sq. ft. bungalow in Anand, by Hiren Patel Architects, blurs the boundaries between landscape, architecture, and interiors, creating a home where nature isn’t just the backdrop but an integral part of […]
Nestled in the foothills of the Shivalik range, the Himalayas is our latest project, Ekasham — a private residence refurbishment and redevelopment project, spread across an area of 2177 sqm. The monolithic home, through its volumes, composed of old and new structures, merges into a singular silhouette evoking the presence of a monolith from which […]
Ishaar is rooted in the belief that architecture should not just be seen, but deeply felt. Drawing from brutalist principles and natural tactility, the holiday villa is designed as a sensory retreat, where material, sound, light, and temperature shape the guest’s experience. Set amidst rural farmland, the villa dissolves into its landscape through a choreography […]
“Vishram Vaadi Nu Ghar” means a serene retreat amidst mango and chikoo farms, crafted to reflect the client’s vision in their mother tongue Gujarati. Vishram is a serene ground-touch structure offering breathtaking views of the Purna River and is a thoughtful example of countryside house design. Nestled amidst lush Amba and Chikoo Vaadi, the design […]
This single-story sustainable home in Ezhupunna blends traditional Kerala architecture with tropical, eco-friendly design. Inspired by the “kullakadavu” concept, a central pond encourages family interaction while enhancing the landscape. This Ezhupunna Home is Rooted in Eco-friendly Design | Judson Associates Architects & Interiors Despite being near lakes and beaches, adding a pond improves year-round moisture […]
In the heart of New Anjar, a small town tucked into the arid landscape of Kachchh, Gujarat, sits one of those modest houses designed with a quiet sense of clarity. Built for a Muslim family spanning three generations, the home isn’t trying to make a bold statement from its street-facing façade. Instead, it leans into […]
AME Studio was envisioned as a versatile yet understated architectural expression, reflecting our love for modest and unassuming architecture. AME Studio was envisioned as a versatile yet understated architectural expression, reflecting our love for modest and unassuming studio architecture. The design of AME Studio went beyond fulfilling a set of functional requirements; it was about […]
The house showcases a modern three-story residence exemplifying contemporary architectural design through its clean lines, geometric volumes, and a balanced interplay of materials. The facade skillfully combines textured tile cladding, smooth plaster, and contrasting color blocks in neutral shades of gray, black, and earthy rust, adding visual depth and dynamism. Expansive glass panels framed in […]
House of Silhouettes is located in Navratan, Udaipur. The plot is a corner one facing north and west 60’x40′ with a built-up area of 6500 sq.ft., designed in contemporary modern architecture as an independent house at three levels, including terrace. House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates This contemporary residence […]