PRODUCING A GEM

STUDIO LOTUS CREATES AN INTEGRATED FACTORY THAT FOLLOWS THE HIGHEST TENETS OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

- MITALEE KURDEKAR

When thinking of manufacturing units, the first thought that crosses one’s mind is a staid-looking building that guzzles energy. And if that facility sits in Uttar Pradesh, which owns the infamous tag of having some of the most polluted cities in the country, one is convinced that the picture will not be pretty. However, turning this notion on its head is the latest product from Studio Lotus. The firm, which had been tasked with designing an integrated production facility for wellness brand Organic India, in Lucknow, has delivered a stunning, LEED Platinum-rated development through the extensive use of local as well as recycled materials, passive cooling strategies, and on-site resource management. In fact, this set of interventions has won the development 87 points in its LEED assessment, the highest in the country for a production facility.

Set amid barley fields, the sprawling 1,20,000 sq-ft campus is characterized by expansive open spaces, a minimalist brick-and-concrete built envelope, and a focus on community and introspection. The block has been designed to support the manufacturing, processing, and administrative functions for the holistic wellness company.

“The architectural and planning intent of the campus prioritizes the physical and psychological wellbeing of the campus’ occupants above all else – creating a complex that will now serve as an architectural template for all future properties for the company,” states Sidhartha Talwar, who helmed this project and is design principal at Studio Lotus.