THE COURTYARD OFFICE

A linear office space twists organically in plan creating a large landscaped courtyard within it. Varying from two to four levels sectionally the office floors are lifted from the ground at the southwest and northeast sides to facilitate south westerly breeze through the courtyard. The north east and north west corners of the building too are lifted creating singular large volumes at these ends to allow visual contact between floors while housing a cafeteria and a library. The circulation spine skirts the internal courtyard allowing landscape to be visible whilst moving through the office and the work areas skirt the external periphery opening towards external gardens. The building shape generates its longest sides oriented towards the north with angled and louvers on the other faces directing the internal spaces northwards thus allowing indirect light throughout the day into all the internal spaces and rendering the building energy efficient. The courtyard office derives its principles from the traditional Indian courtyard houses creating office spaces that vary in volumes and in orientation allowing open spaces to be integrated with enclosed ones and creating energy efficient work spaces.