Xansa, Chennai
Architect – NVA Chennai
Area – 28 acres
Cost – 10 crores
Construction year – 2001-2006
Xansa India, a multinational IT company wanted to make its campuses in Chennai, Pune & Noida for its growing business needs.
As a client they were looking for a different approach from the professional team. It was vital for them to create a unique environment for the people. That unique work environment was not just offices specified to international standards, but an overall feel to the landscaped campus that would be instantly recognizable and be part of the company brand. Too often the office building becomes the dominant element and the staff becomes isolated from the natural environment. The landscape design had to be as natural as possible, reflecting local materials and with a strong conservation element. To create an interactive environment, which merges natural and manmade features, the key issues considered are water harvesting, low maintenance and future development.
The master planning was done incorporating local planning style of buildings around courtyards, inter connected with covered walkways. The courtyards are developed as spill over areas for the employees to come out in groups or even for large gatherings / shows. The central element is water Jets or spray pond, cooling down the intense hot temperature of Chennai.
The low lying area of the site is converted into a lake, to be used for water harvesting & surface drainage. The soil being black cotton, the absorption capacity of the site is very low, so this lake turned out to be the best solution for drainage. Use of local plant materials like coconut palms, planted in groups around the lake, gives it a very relaxed feel
The design is to create warmth in contrast to the harshness of the corporate world.
This project won a national award for best landscape executed in the year 2003.