The Quest Learning Observatory (QLO) is a resilient, future-sensing, net zero energy building imbued with the capacity to self-heal and self-organize, thus embodying circular principles. It has regenerative practices at the heart of its architecture. This innovative building operates on a net-zero philosophy, where all energy needs are met through renewable sources.
Editor’s Note: “Rooted in sustainability and renewable sources, this innovative Bangalore building rises as a beacon of recycling. Its climate-conscious design, harmoniously paired with thoughtfully chosen materials, pays homage to the pursuit of sustainability. Crafted from eco-friendly materials, the structure embodies the cradle-to-cradle philosophy, weaving together a vision of enduring harmony with the environment.” ~Simran Khare
The QLO is a Future-sensing Net Zero Energy Building | Good Earth Eco Ventures Private Limited & The Busride Design Studio
The building is a shining example of “repair, redesign, and reuse,” where waste is recycled without piling up in landfills, water needs are met through on-site sources, and sunlight powers the system.
Additionally, a climate study of the site has allowed us to harness daylight to illuminate 50% of the regularly occupied spaces. Thus achieving lighting levels between 110 Lux and 2,200 Lux on a clear day.
Besides, the data gathered from the sustainability analysis has encouraged us to fix openable vents to improve indoor air circulation. It also controls humidity and mould formation.
The building, fashioned from sustainable materials, emulates the cradle-to-cradle philosophy. This is personified through the sun-baked bricks manufactured from the mud excavated from the construction site when the foundation of the building was laid in 2021.
Unlike traditionally produced bricks, these eco-friendly substitutes discharge fewer carbon pollutants during manufacturing.
Another instance of decarbonization is incorporating fly ash (a byproduct of coal combustion) into the concrete mix, reducing cement usage by 35%. In addition, it also improves the endurance of the building.
The grey, customized tiles incised with Quest Alliance’s logo demonstrate energy efficiency by blending carbon waste with natural materials.
In addition to these innovative materials, the concept of revival plays a crucial role in the building’s furnishings. The stairway floorboards are crafted from wood sourced at the Alang Ship Breaking Yard. It is the world’s largest ship recycling facility, ensuring the use of sea-seasoned timber.
Moving further, the organisation has thoughtfully repurposed old furniture from its previous headquarters and antique collections. Thus seamlessly blending the old with the new.
On the other hand, as a future-sensing organisation that emphasises data-driven change in the climate-employment sector, we have installed a data sculptor called Connecting the Dots.
Moreover, the installation in the Artium has 44 vibrant Channapatana toys to visualise Bangalore’s weather data—wind, rain, and temperature—through graceful, wave-like movements, illustrating organisational growth and resilience.
Fact File
Designed by: Good Earth Eco Ventures Private Limited & The Busride Design Studio
Project Type: Office Architecture Design
Project Name: Quest Learning Observatory
Location: Bangalore
Year Built: 2024
Duration of the project: 3 Years
Plot Area: 12000 Sq.ft
Built-up Area: 14569. 85 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Natasha Iype & Zameer Basrai
Photograph Courtesy: Shamanth Patil Photography and Jitendra M
Products / Materials / Vendors: Finishes – Good Earth / Wallcovering / Cladding – Sajhedaree / Construction Materials – Busride / Lighting – Pasolite / Doors and Partitions –Ambica Company Sanitaryware – Ikea, Amazon, Jaguar / Facade Systems – North Pole Engineering / Windows – Sur Armour Pvt Ltd / Furniture – Studio Woodpecker, Akway, Mumbai’s chor-bazaar, purple turtles (knobs) / Flooring – Carbon Craft (design, installation supported laying and polishing), Good Earth (major flooring Kadapa) Kitchen – KitchenWhiz / Paint – Sajhedaree (website na)(interior with lime plastering), exterior by Good Earth / Artefacts –Ecru Design (also blinds) / Hardware – IT set up by Turmeric Clou; Future Sensor by Digital Jalebi
Consultants for the Project: Civil – North Pole Engineering (scaffolding), Good Earth / Interior Designers – The Busride Design Studio / Landscape Architects – Ananas, civil work(Good Earth), Metalorganz / MEP & HVAC Consultants – MEP: Good Earth; HVAC: KitchenWhiz, Fenice Energy, Oorja Energy Engineering Structure Engineers – Good Earth / Lighting Designers – The Busride Design Studio / Acoustics Consultants – Svaram / Environmental & Sustainability Consultants – Smarter Dharma / Contractors – Good Earth / Project Managers – Gauri Sanghi / Quantity Surveyors – Gauri Sanghi, Mithali Konety Interior Styling –The Busride Design Studio, Branding fonts – Nia Thandapani
Firm’s Website Link: Good Earth Eco Ventures Private Limited & The Busride Design Studio
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Good Earth Eco Ventures Private Limited & The Busride Design Studio
Organization’s Instagram Link: The Quest Learning Observatory and Quest Alliance
Firm’s Facebook Link: Good Earth Eco Ventures Private Limited & The Busride Design Studio
For Similar Projects >> The Aim Was To Break The Stereotype Of Office Architecture And Spaces
Layers don’t just sit here; they breathe, shift, and whisper through light. The Screen, set in the sun-drenched fabric of Solapur, Maharashtra, isn’t trying to scream luxury. It doesn’t need to. It moves quieter than that, more composed, more intentional, like a pause button carved into the chaos of the city. Spread across 4,125 sq. […]
This project is located in Ben Tre, Vietnam, and was completed in 2021. With a total area of 430m2, the project set within concrete vaults includes 3 bedrooms and one living room, each with a view of the nearby river. Concrete Vaults Form The Main Identity Of This Vietnamese Home | VTN Architects The ground […]
We conceive EMA not as a conventional architectural object, but as a living continuum of memory, ecology, and craft. Located in Malappuram, Kerala, the 1,700 sq. ft. residence, designed with thermal comfort draws from vernacular wisdom and the philosophy of the Kaavu—the sacred grove—where humans, nature, and other living beings coexist without hierarchy. Within this […]
Set within the lush landscapes of Bharanikavu in Kollam, Arcade – a single storey residence that blends tropical modern architecture with colonial and traditional elements. Designed for a businessman, his wife (a teacher) and their two daughters, this house showcases a shared interest for elegance rooted in familiarity. This Single Storey Home Sits Amidst Lush […]
Noah’s Ark is a contemporary residence designed as a calm and welcoming home with a clear planning. The client’s brief was to create a home that felt simple, warm, and timeless without becoming overly minimal or impersonal. Noah’s Ark responds by blending clear planning, honest materials, and personal elements, resulting in a house that is […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]