CCBA Designs

Upcoming..
Azim Premji University our upcoming project in Bangalore city.
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Forbes Marshall Corporate Office

Location: Kasarwadi, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Built-up Area: 6,000 sq. ms
Duration: 2021 - 2023

Design Head: Prof. Christopher Charles Benninger
Design Team: Ar. Daraius Choksi, Ar. , Ar. and Ar. .
Mentors: Rahul Sathe and Ramprasad Akkisetti

Sectional View:
Site Ex*****on: Forbes Marshall

The Forbes Marshall factory in Kasarwadi has seen haphazard incremental growth since the late 50’s. Reacting to the changing needs, the facility had added four new built zones to the initial structure over the years. This resulted in a collaged building with varying spans, heights, and construction materials: with RCC columns and sheet metal roofs in some parts and load-bearing walls and concrete slabs in others.

By retaining, reinforcing and reappropriating, the factory space was converted into a modern corporate hub housing 300 employees. To retain parts of the original structure while fortifying it for future demands, advanced technological methods such as carbon wrapping were used on the existing columns. Through meticulous reinforcement techniques such as steel jacketing and bracket installations, structural integrity was bolstered, ensuring longevity and safety for occupants.

The design ethos favoured simplicity, with a predominantly white palette. Passive sustainability measures, including radiant cooling technology integrated into the flooring system, significantly reduced reliance on traditional air conditioning, enhancing user comfort and cost-effectiveness.

"Architects must be continual learners. We are all teachers and we are all students. Knowledge makes us wiser as it helps us see the conditions and the points of view of others and helps us understand their feelings and needs."
(excerpt from 'Letters to a Young Architect')

Author: Prof. Christopher Charles Benninger
Picture: Prof. Benninger photographed writing at the Centre for Development Studies and Activities (CDSA), Pune, Maharashtra, India.

Letters to a Young Architect is a book written by master architect and planner, Prof. Christopher Benninger. It won the Best Architecture Book of the Year Award in 2012 and appeared in the Top Ten Best-Selling Books in India for 18 weeks. It was the first Indian book on Architecture to be published by Kindle in America and has been translated into Gujarati (in Gandhinagar), Bangla (in Dhaka) and Chinese (in Shanghai) with translations happening in Persian (Iran), Hindi, Marathi and Tamil.

Retaining, Reinforcing, and Reappropriating Architecture at the Forbes Marshall Corporate Office ~

Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Built-up Area: 6,000 sqm

Instead of demolishing the old structure, the design embraces adaptive reuse, integrating the new office space with the existing one. By retaining the skeleton, we preserved the essence while enhancing functionality.

Slide 1: Completed view of Bay 4 of the Office.

Slide 2: Retaining existing old M5 grade columns by reinforcing them and adding new 200x200mm steel bracketed columns. Addition of Radiant Cooling.

Slide 3: The original space, unused.

Design Team: Ramprasad Akkisetti, Daraius Choksi, Rahul Sathe and Yogesh Jatkar

We are delighted to have our project, 'New Academic Block, CEPT University' featured in the IFJ PLUS March - April 2024 issue. The edition focussed on the theme of sustainability and was so well-curated!

Shout-out to our Design team: Shivaji Arun Karekar and Neeraj Nijampurkar
Design mentors: Rahul Sathe, Ramprasad Akkisetti and Ar. Daraius Choksi.

Text Credits: Venessa M Thomas
Photography credits: Ashish Bhonde

The foundation of any design begins with an understanding of 'place'.

National Ceremonial Plaza, Thimphu, Bhutan
(2006 - 08)

The National Ceremonial Plaza is an extension of the ancient
fortress monastery, the Trashichhoe Dzong (an iconic centre of Bhutanese culture). This public space is the central gathering place for the nation’s people, royalty, religious leaders and officials to celebrate national events.

Its construction was rooted in indigenous craft culture, featuring Dolep granite stone slabs, Blue Pine wood, brass hardware, and tin roof sheets.

Visions in Ink: The National Ceremonial Plaza in Thimphu, Bhutan

The National Ceremonial Plaza is the focal public domain of the Bhutanese Kingdom, a national icon for its citizens and a functional facility to accommodate religious and secular events of national importance, binding people together into a common ethos.

These sketches for the Plaza were made by Prof. Christopher Benninger, as an addition to the ancient 13th-century fortress-monastery. Locally known as the Tsechu Plaza, this national public space is composed of tiered wood-carved balconies; a large stepped plaza with a capacity to seat 25,000 participants and other facilities.

Rahul Sathe, Director of CCBA Designs, will be conducting the course, 'The Architect's Prescription: Specifications, BOQs and Estimates' for this year's CEPT University Summer Winter School 2024.

The course will take place over seven days, from May 26th to June 1st, 2024, and will be held at India House, Pune.

Nature's Blueprint!

The Centre for Life Sciences, Health and Medicine located in Pune, is a sanctuary for specially-abled children.

The design emphasizes communal living, encouraging interaction and connection among all its young residents. With its village-like lanes and strong geometric language, every corner is thoughtfully crafted to ensure accessibility, comfort, and inclusivity!

The Bajaj Science Centre showcases a design language that is simple, natural, and authentic.

(2008 - 2010)

The architectural approach involved creating a network of parallel walls supporting concrete vaults. This design weaves together interlocking courtyards framed by vaulted arcades and verandahs.

The entire complex is constructed using locally sourced burnt brick and features arched ceilings, all left unplastered and unpainted to highlight their natural beauty. Courtyards are paved with local Shahabad stone, and the interiors feature cost-effective Kota stone flooring, adding to the structure's simplicity and elegance.

Transforming Sketches into Structures

For the Bajaj Science Centre, Prof. Christopher Benninger's vision unfolds through a series of parallel walls supporting concrete vaults.

The result?
A harmonious fabric of interconnected courtyards.

These courtyards are framed by vaulted arcades and verandahs, seamlessly connecting the elongated entrance courtyard, the multifunction hall and the reading rooms. The vault-covered passages link these spaces, offering a dynamic sequence of areas that transition from subdued, enclosed spaces to open, sky-lit courtyards and one-sided arcades.

Project featured on Architizer!

Located adjacent to the School of Architecture, the new block is designed to reinforce the cultural continuity of the existing campuses architectural language and consists of rectangular juxtaposed volumes containing three components:

- The Foundation Center
- The Lecture Hall
- The Kund

The architectural vocabulary of the new block is dictated by the context of modern architectural heritage in which the structure has been built. Therefor, instead of diverging from the material palette, the project uses standard materials in innovative ways. The building borrows materiality, scope, and expression from the site and builds upon the environs to create a masterpiece that would not only blend with the fabric but complement the aesthetic and legacy of the campus.

Upcoming project in Bengaluru!
~ Azim Premji University
Azim Premji University

Site Area: 85.20 Acres
Built-up Area: 6,89,612 sq.m
Client: Azim Premji Foundation

The site opens from the Welcome Center, a crescent-shaped two-storeyed structure with a jagged glass facade. Beyond this and harbouring a sense of community within a community are the Academic Buildings that consist of classrooms, labs and a few administration and office spaces for the faculty.

Placed alongside the large central promenade, they meander along the curves of their organic paths through an amalgamation of open, semi-open and closed spaces. These spaces are interconnected through a system of covered arcades and courtyards. The resulting shape, though rigid, disintegrates seamlessly into the curved corners of its form, giving a sense of boundlessness to the design narrative.

Picture Credits: Ashish Bhonde

The Bajaj Brandview is a ground-plus ten-level office tower belonging to the Bajaj Auto Group.

The corporate tower brings an element of subtle sophistication into the city’s urban landscape, with a simple Zen-like cube in black glass, offsetting a transparent glass cylinder within a white steel structure, creating aesthetic tension between these two competing geometric forms.

Project featured on Archello!

The Alliance Française (1973-1976) in Ahmedabad exemplifies Prof. Benninger's meticulous approach to modernist design, seamlessly blending into a 19th-century campus layout with an informal courtyard.

The bold sculptural elements and attention to context echo his earlier student work. Natural materials reflect the surroundings of the Theological College of Gujarat. Exposed concrete features prominently, molded into various architectural elements within a bearing wall system. A structural grid based on a 2'-6" rhythm, with square windows, doors, and floor modules, creates a cohesive yet diverse interior. Unique "plug-in" toilets preserve open interior spaces while adding visual interest to the facade. Benninger's signature use of low ceilings alongside taller spaces enhances human scale and spatial dynamics, a design technique evident in his later projects. The strict adherence to a square grid pattern defines the structure's character.

https://youtu.be/ddYbfsmCBt8

Ramprasad Akkisetti at "AESA AWARDS 2024" | PUNE | 16 March 2024 CCBA Designs Managing Director, Mr. Ramprasad Akkisetti, delivers an inspiring address as Guest of Honor at the esteemed, 2024 AESA Awards!AESA – The Archite...

The Construction Industry in India is a large contributor to the National GDP, and Architecture plays a pivotal role in this industry. India continues to grow at a rapid pace as evident from its vigor seen in infrastructure developments across the country. Despite the demand, we have a shortage of architects in India.

'WHY ARCHITECTURE?' is a 15 minutes short documentary film made primarily to bring awareness of the education and professional practice of Architecture amongst aspiring high school students and their parents, who are looking for career options.

I made this documentary film for the Council of Architecture, a statutory regulatory body under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Hope this film reaches every corner of the country and every house where students are preparing for career choices.
Kindly, share amongst your groups, students, architects, friends and everywhere.

Regards,
Ram.

WHY ARCHITECTURE | Short Film | Council of Architecture COA | Ramprasad Akkisetti | Career Choice Discover the captivating world of architecture through a compelling short film by the Council of Architecture, India. Unveiling the endless possibilities and...

Echoes of knowledge in countless languages ~

"Letters to a Young Architect," is a unique book in the architecture world. Unlike many other architecture books, this one goes beyond just buildings. It's a memoir by master architect and planner Prof. Christopher Benninger, acting as a guide for aspiring architects.

Through his own experiences, he shares encounters with gurus like Jose Luis Sert, Walter Gropius, and B. V. Doshi. Described as lyrical, profound, and brutally honest, the book delves into the challenges of balancing reality with imagination.

A must for anyone curious about architecture and its myriad connections.

Join our Team at CCBA Designs!

Are you an experienced Interior Designer with a passion for retail, commercial, and hospitality interiors? CCBA Designs is seeking talented individuals like you to join our dynamic team.

Position: Interior Designer
Experience: 5+ years in retail, commercial, and hospitality interiors.
Location: India House, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

Responsibilities:
- Designing innovative and functional interior spaces for various projects.
- Collaborating with clients to understand their vision and requirements.
- Creating detailed plans, mood boards, and presentations.
- Managing projects from concept to completion, ensuring deadlines and budgets are met.
- Staying updated on industry trends and best practices.

Requirements:
- Bachelor's/ Master's degree in Interior Design or related field.
- Proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Self-motivated with a passion for design.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Apply now by sending your resume and portfolio to "[email protected]".

We are excited to hear from you!

Project featured on Archinect!

Alliance Française de Ahmedabad ~
(1973 - 1976)

Situated in Ahmedabad, this project stands among Prof. Benninger's earliest endeavours. The use of natural materials not only aligns with Benninger's philosophical ethos but also pays homage to the historical context of the site.

Read the entire article through the link:
https://archinect.com/firms/project/150323497/alliance-fran-aise/150424970

Asia House ~

Asia House is an office space where simplicity harmonizes effortlessly with functionality, crafting an interior that resonates with purpose. Here, every element is meticulously curated to evoke a sense of refined minimalism.

Clean lines intersect with open spaces, fostering an atmosphere of clarity and productivity. Neutral palettes dominate, accentuating the innate elegance of the design, while strategic lighting casts a gentle glow, enhancing both ambience and efficiency.

📸: Ashish Bhonde

Asia House -
(Pune, Maharashtra, India)

Asia House is an office space that aims to create a harmonious balance between form and function, fostering a conducive work environment for productivity and creativity. With its clean lines and neutral colours, its layout maximizes natural light, creating an energizing atmosphere while providing designated spaces for focus and privacy.

Picture Credits: Ashish Bhonde

Extremely excited about this feature in Construction & Architecture Update Magazine.

As an intellectual ‘design house’, we at CCBA Designs seek to bring out the poetry in the place, the lyricism in the built forms, and the vibrancy in the inhabitants’ lives. We endeavour to create environments, ambiences, and milieus that enrich the lives of the inhabitants and create timeless architecture which combined, deliver a successful project to our clients.

Explore the entire interview for an in-depth look into our work, design philosophy and vision for the future of our nation.

Our upcoming project in Bengaluru, Azim Premji University.

Site visit...
Azim Premji University by

Embracing the spirit of innovation and growth, our Phase II Master Plan for the Indian Institute of Management, Raipur, envisions an expansion that echoes the aspirations of a dynamic India.

Our proposal envisions an,
1. Academic Block
2. Residential Blocks
3. Ancillary Activities (amphitheatre, sports complex etc).

The design seamlessly integrates with the existing campus, extending like veins, forging a timeless identity synonymous with excellence. Our design proposal won second place in the competition held by IIM Raipur all thanks to a visionary team led by Ar. Noel Jerald.
Design Mentor: Ar. Daraius Choksi, Studio Director
Design Team: Ar. Mandar Mhaskar, Ar. Bhargav Khurjekar, Ar. Wasim Hassan, Ar. Maajid Mohammed K P & Karan Gandhi.

Insights shared by Ar. Daraius Choksi, Studio Director, CCBA Designs in his address at the seminar held at SPA, Bhopal jointly organized by School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal and Institute for Steel Development & Growth- Insdag discussing 'Structural Steel for Innovative Pursuits in Architecture' on the 11th and 12th of January, 2024.

Our Managing Director, Ramprasad Akkisettii, delivered an inspiring address as Guest of Honor at the esteemed 2024 AESA Awards!

It was an honour to share the stage with Mr. Vinayak Pai, CEO of Tata Projects. A big thank you to AESA for bringing together diverse industry sectors and recognizing our contributions.

At CCBA Designs, you're not just part of a legacy; you're part of a family that celebrates India's many traditions while embracing modern ideas.

India House is more than just a place for architecture. It's a lively centre where we learn about and appreciate different cultures. The India House Art Gallery is where we love celebrating the many creative forms of art. One of them is the Odissi Dance troupe of the Rudrakshya Foundation. Their mesmerizing performance at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune on 16th February 2024, stands as a testament to their talent and dedication.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Managing Director Ramprasad Akkisetti who also serves as a visionary curator, for sparking the inspiration behind these remarkable events!

We are delighted to announce that Bajaj Institute of Technology, Wardha is now showcased on DesignVerse!

It's thrilling to see our project gaining global recognition. Designing education campuses is more crucial than ever, as they serve as the nurturing grounds for future innovators and leaders. Crafting spaces that inspire creativity, collaboration, and learning is essential for fostering a thriving educational environment in today's dynamic world.

Click on the link below to read and learn more about our project!
https://lnkd.in/gvcxUJPr

Capturing iconic views!

Lodha Belmondo stands as an icon for numerous reasons,
It serves as a poignant example of how architecture profoundly influences and defines urban landscapes, encapsulating the essence of what shapes cities in the collective consciousness!

Our project, Lodha Township, applies rational strategies to shelter production, in a disjointed and ad hoc urban planning environment. The apartments are open on many sides creating cross ventilation and views over open green areas. It is also equipped with the best facilities for recreational activities.

This View 😍