• An aerial visualization of the transit-oriented development (TOD). CP Kukreja Architects

    An aerial visualization of the transit-oriented development (TOD). CP Kukreja Architects

  • A visualization displaying high and low-density urban massing interspersed with greenery CP Kukreja Architects

    A visualization displaying high and low-density urban massing interspersed with greenery CP Kukreja Architects

  • An internal courtyard view of one of the towers CP Kukreja Architects

    An internal courtyard view of one of the towers CP Kukreja Architects

  • An evening view of the tallest 100-storeyed residential tower CP Kukreja Architects

    An evening view of the tallest 100-storeyed residential tower CP Kukreja Architects

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Public Realm

East Delhi’s first Transit-Oriented Development hub

CP Kukreja Architects’ 100 storey build is projected to become India’s tallest tower

by Georgina Johnston 12 April 2021 Tall Buildings

Karkardooma’s East Delhi hub is a 15 million sq ft project located on a site area of 60 acres and is a response to the demand for an adjustable, spontaneous and responsive people’s architecture for contemporary cities. 

The comprehensive design approach by CP Kukreja Architects (CPKA) won the design firm the chance for this project in an international competition, and work on this development carries on at a steady pace in anticipation of completing it by 2023.

Conceived as the pilot project for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in India, the goal of the project is to achieve an architectural typology that responds to the transit network and movement patterns of the city. To enable this, the project has incorporated findings from studies on density control, urban massing and public space network that defines the architecture supporting the circulation network within a city. 

The use of ‘organic density’ as a tool for spontaneous adaptation to environmental and economic diversity, and as an auto-adjustable controlling measure for the population influx and activities within the urban complex, lies at the crux of this revolutionary vision.

By studying and mapping the surrounding transportation centres, CPKA were able to improve the planning for urban movement as well as circulation within the site. The circulation network follows an axial planning, which is an un-obstructive and efficient form of planning.

The development is also a successful example of harnessing and integrating technology into the project. This not only encourages more nuanced and high-functioning security systems and user comfort spaces, but also helps in the overall management of the site. In addition, a smart system of technology equips the residential and commercial towers to enable the residents with a high-speed connection and communication mechanism. This includes efficiency in information regarding the pollution levels, weather conditions, occupancy within the different blocks and traffic news updation in and around the site.

The project seeks to thrive as a green and futuristic hub of development, aspiring to bring back the lush green cover which the city could boast of at one time. This green cover would be vital to regulate water percolation into the soil, benefitting the depleting levels of groundwater. 

With the burgeoning of green spaces horizontally as well as vertically, the expansive green cover within the site impersonates a forest ensemble, absorbing carbon dioxide and significantly reducing the heat island effect. This design will be achieved through an interesting combination of high and low density urban massing distributed at different vertical levels of the urban complex, which allows a myriad public activities to take place at different levels, thereby activating the site throughout the day. 

The idea of a high-rise development is aimed at creating vertical neighbourhoods that would free up a considerable area of open, green spaces horizontally, a resource that is depleting in the city more and more with every passing day. These green spaces will become vibrant public spaces that contain different leisure and multi-purpose activities. The squares and plazas are lined with commercial development in order to ensure ‘Eyes on the Streets’, rendering the public areas safe for everyone.

In an attempt to bring a landscape to the upper floors, vertical gardens and green terraces have also been proposed to provide ‘Green for all’. In addition to this, the vertical greens create an interesting elevation treatment, a skin made with a combination of man-made materials and natural plantations. 

The tall towers within the complex have been designed to combat the growing sound and air pollution, which is gradually becoming an urban evil in Delhi’s environment. The facades use a combination of two or three layers of jaali, a traditional lattice that is used extensively in north India, in different patterns to trap dust and create standing waves that damp out any noise emanating from the nearby Anand Vihar terminus and the high-speed corridors around it.

The project uses clean and green technology as one of its virtues, accommodating water and waste management systems. With most of the waste being segregated on site, the biodegradable waste is recycled, grey water is used onsite, and rainwater is stored and harvested for the residents to benefit from the same. The East Delhi Hub is emerging as a fine example of smart, green urban architecture and a forerunner of the Smart City Movement in India. 

India

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