IF.BE (Ice Factory Ballard Estate), reimagining space rescuing an old Banyan tree
Malik Architecture
Renovation
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Completed
Next to the string of old yet thriving docks of Mumbai sits Ballard Estate - a heritage district with a dual characteristic of stately colonial architecture and decaying industrial spaces. Malik Architecture has been situated here for over 25 years, observing the systematic erosion of the public domain due to rapid, unplanned developments. Founder Kamal Malik, chanced upon the functioning Ambico Ice Factory and was deeply moved by the old Banyan tree that was being asphyxiated. His first instinct was to rescue the tree; to give back to the city and engage with history. This instinct led us to reimagine the space as IF.BE (Ice Factory Ballard Estate), a space for encounter; organised within beautiful but ageing structures surrounding a large Banyan tree.
Located in Ballard Estate, the heart of Mumbai's heritage precinct, IF.BE is surrounded by stately colonial architecture. The ice factory being an industrial entity, was positioned in the business district to serve the well-heeled of Bombay. The drawing archives revealed a courtyard connecting Calicut and Cochin Street which was cluttered with ad-hoc structures and metal roofs. The adjacent structure on the West was identified as a residential unit. As part of recovery of the space, the existing North-light truss roof over the ice factory is extended over the Cathedral. This undergoes two mutations to rotate 90 degrees to form the East light roofs while simultaneously dipping sharply towards the existing stone boundary wall to preserve light and ventilation for the neighbouring structure.
Design of the space necessitated a hands-on approach and could not be dealt with conventional modes of practice. For four months, the factory's decades-old plaster walls were gently scraped before the first semblance of brickwork could emerge. The building's vintage Burma teak woodwork, lost to time, was slowly uncovered. The original gantry used to move slabs of ice, continues to be housed and be mobilised as part of art installations as well as used to partition the room. The project has received acclamation since its inauguration and continues to accommodate varied users due to its fluid functionality. Our founder and principal architect Kamal Malik was facilitated with the Excellence Award, ‘Custodian of Culture’ as a part of AD100 2023, acknowledging his work towards designing IF.BE.
IF.BE is a “seed” for urban regeneration in a largely commercial heritage precinct. The current attitude towards development in this precinct favours demolition of industrial spaces that do not fall within the Grade-I heritage umbrella. IF.BE is meant to be an example of holistic and sustainable development, to serve as a reference for the present and future. It becomes an exercise in micro-urbanism, adaptive reuse and a space for discourse in the public realm. Its message is material and notional. It serves as an example of sustainability through preservation. Unlike other Grade-I heritage structures, industrial heritage need not comply with a fixed point of time reference and condition. Giving way to an open ended conversation, the journey of restoration is an intuitive process. Soaring to a height of 22 feet, the Ice Factory continues to be the beating heart of this complex that was built over a century ago and is now IFBE. Entirely column-free, the Ice Factory is that rare expansive and meditative space in the midst of the city’s hustle and bustle. Natural light filters through North light trusses expressing the movement of the sun through the day. The suturing of spaces with different quantities of light, dimension, volume and material around the Banyan tree forces one to engage with the space in unconventional ways unlike the “all white” gallery spaces or “black box” performance venues. Users and curators are encouraged to formulate their own conversations with the space.
A significant aspect of this project is that it has been imagined, mobilised, designed, built and FUNDED (along with two equal partners) by Malik Architecture as a multi-pronged response to the rapid erosion of public space and institutions, as well as an unhealthy attitude towards our built history. In a way, it is an act of resistance towards the lack of physical space for open, healthy, democratic discourse and a hope that other like-minded individuals embark on a similar journey.
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A narrow fissure shaded by a projected segment of the East-light roof marks the entry to IFBE. The fissure leads to the Banyan Tree Courtyard echoing the narrow lanes of Ballard Estate. The sub-station overlooking the street, provides a second layer; a
Bharath Ramamrutham
The Sub-station space, named for its former use as an electro-mechanical space, spans between Cochin Street and the courtyard. Significant structural and mechanical retrofits were needed to stabilise detached trusses and to retain the integrity of the ro
Bharath Ramamrutham
The courtyard, with its 150-year-old Banyan tree, is the fulcrum of IFBE. The roof geometry of the Substation, interpreted in steel and laminated glass provides shelter. Strategic slits, openings and the constantly shifting dappled light give the space
Bharath Ramamrutham
The Cathedral space is the largest and most distinct ‘addition' to the Project. The giant trapezoidal North-facing glass wall brings soft diffused light into the space. The existing stone wall to the West is a significant datum for the evolution of the
Bharath Ramamrutham
The Cathedral is interconnected with the Ice Factory through a flexible partition. The geometry of structural members inscribed within this membrane essentially tells this story of the extensions and overlaps between the ‘Old' and ‘New’, amplifying the ‘
Bharath Ramamrutham
This image illustrates the richness of the Cathedral - material, light, volume and geometry create a complex enmeshed space. The roof form has developed through the extension of the existing North-light trusses and their dipping towards the existing wall
Bharath Ramamrutham
The banyan tree sits untouched and intact despite the extended steel gable roof spearing from the Substation around its foliage and aerial roots, sheltering the new spaces through a dialogue with the original structures
Bharath Ramamrutham
The Ice Factory, with its ancient brick walls, wooden North-light truss roofs, along with the Banyan Tree, is seminal to the conversations with history, nature and time, which have informed the ‘Action’ and the ‘Inaction’ within the space.
Bharath Ramamrutham
Careful removal of the 140-year-old plaster has revealed brick walls with what seems to be older openings that have subsequently been filled in. The cumulative effect is a rich, textured palimpest that evokes an ‘ancient-ness’ that is rare in this context
Bharath Ramamrutham
New openings have been introduced into the brick walls to create better connections with the adjacent courtyard and cathedral. The deeply embedded plaster that has been chipped away has caused an erosion of the internal brick surfaces, creating a visceral
Bharath Ramamrutham
Part of the courtyard, initially used as a makeshift accommodation for ice factory staff, was recovered and transformed into a cafe space, overlooking the Banayan Tree.
Bharath Ramamrutham
Earthy tones of exposed bricks and wood, accentuated with accent lights offers a warm environment for Native. An old-world-charm is reflected in the space with emphasis through subtle usage of concrete grey surfaces.
Bharath Ramamrutham
Once a thriving commercial centre in Ballard Estate, the site for IF.BE was discovered in an abandoned and dilapidated state
Malik Architecture
Studying the archival plans and conditions of structure, helped determine the areas for retro-fittng
Malik Architecture
Existing site conditions of choked-up indoor and outdoor spaces
Malik Architecture
Responding to the context and re-innovating the existing structure
Malik Architecture
Retro-fit details for the existing ice factory space
Malik Architecture
Ground Floor Plan highlighting the space extensions
Malik Architecture
First Floor Plan with minimal architectural intervention
Malik Architecture
Sections showing interconnection between spaces
Malik Architecture
Anatomy of the steel structure, added as an extension to the original wooden truss roof
Malik Architecture
Process captured of recovery of the roof and creation of a vertical fenestration of Substation
Malik Architecture
Process captured of stripping paint from brick masonry and addition of retro-fits in the Ice-Factory
Malik Architecture
Process captured of the construction of connecting roof between Cathedral and Substation in the Courtyard space
Malik Architecture
Process of construction captured of new roof extension structure for the Cathedral space
Malik Architecture
Process of recovery captured of original wooden lattice at Native
Malik Architecture
Exploded Axonometric view with retro-fit details and material palette
Malik Architecture
IF.BE (Now) - A flexible space dedicated to art, architecture design and community
Malik Architecture
Highlighting the multi-functional facets of the IF.BE space
Malik Architecture
The complete journey, from Ice Factory to IF.BE, in one frame
Mumbai
India
Lotus LLP
Cultural and Multi-purpose Space, Cafe, Restaurant
06/2022
1000 mq
Confidential
Kamal Malik, Arjun Malik
Sundeep Sarangi, Makarand Sathaye, Dhruvil Gandhi, Jignesh Vadhia, Hitesh Gwalani, Dhruv .V
Insteel Engg. P. Ltd. / Aarkfab Engg. Pvt. Ltd. Icon Construction / Icon Constructions/Mohit Interiors
Global Engg. Services / M/s. U. D. Chande / EMPH Engg. Design Services / Studio Trace
Mascon / Shubham Concrete Floors / Light Alive / TRG International
Bharath Ramamrutham
Curriculum
MALIK ARCHITECTURE is a 47-year-old design practice based in Mumbai. It is a studio of architects, interior designers and services consultants.
In the last four decades, the firm has designed a number of prestigious projects in India and overseas, several of which have been published and applauded on esteemed platforms. It has won numerous design competitions as well as National and International Awards.
The professional philosophy of providing a comprehensive design solution and harnessing new technologies have resulted in innovative and dynamic solutions.
The practice attempts to develop a relevant contemporary syntax of architecture for the Indian subcontinent articulated through architecture as a synthesis of ‘Ecology’ and ‘Spirit’.
Through an ‘ongoing process of ‘Manthan’ or churning, the practice has gleaned from a rich historic, cultural and philosophical past (not in a literal sense) incorporating a process of continuous change and generating a contemporary design idiom.