ID Origins, Mumbai, by Studio Symbiosis

ID origins is a mixed-used revitalization project, designed by Studio Symbiosis, using undulating calligraphic strokes which seamlessly integrate the old and new.

The following content (text, images, illustrations and videos) for the project is provided by the design firm. 

ID Origins, Mumbai, by Studio Symbiosis 1

ID Origins by Studio Symbiosis

ID origins is a mixed-used revitalization project, designed using undulating calligraphic strokes which seamlessly integrate the old and new. The significance of the project arises both from its location in the city of Mumbai and also from the sentimental value the building holds for the owners.

ID Origins, Mumbai, by Studio Symbiosis 3

The original structure was built in the 1980s and is the pivotal focus of where the owners started their business, hence the name ID origins. Twelve additional residential floors are erected above the existing six commercial floors, with a transfer girder between these two strata acting as a load transfer as well as additional columns that have been designed starting from the ground up.

Given the dichotomy of the requirements of these distinct activities in the building, the design look’s at creating perforated screens on the commercial floors to reduce solar glare and provide optimum lux level. These calligraphic strokes gradually wane as they reach the residential floors, thereby maximising the panoramic views for the residential apartments.

ID Origins, Mumbai, by Studio Symbiosis 11

The new façade of the project creates a locus for the site and acts as a visual marker for the entrance to the overall site, which spreads over 12 acres of land. In the dense urban fabric of Mumbai, the project will be visible from pedestrian as well as vehicular routes, making the site experience more coherent.

ID Origins, Mumbai, by Studio Symbiosis 13

This Urban rehabilitation of the site extends into the urban fabric by the means of, rerouting the entrances and exits to decongest the entrance road, uplifting the pedestrian walkways in the vicinity of the site, dissolving the site boundary and creating an urban lobby which becomes a part of the Mumbai streetscape.

ID Origins, Mumbai, by Studio Symbiosis 15

Given the undulating nature of the façade, it was important to rationalize it into panels that are easy to construct for construction. The geometry of the calligraphic moves is planar in nature, with a V profile in the plan. This was done to ensure that we have multiple options of materials and techniques to execute the design. Given the loading requirements on the old existing structure, this execution flexibility inbuilt into the design was helpful. Mock-ups were done on-site for GRC, FRP, ACP, and finally, CNC-routed ACP panels were selected due to their lightweight and fire-rated properties. The time of execution was reduced by 6 months as no moulds were required. Thus, the overall cost of construction was also reduced.

Videos:

Project Facts:

Site Area | Built-Up Area: 1.5 Acre | 18,750 Sqm
Client: I.Dudhwala Group
Status: Completed
Program: Office, Residential, Lobby
Scope: Facade | Landscape
Design: Amit Gupta, Britta Knobel Gupta
Project Lead: Dewesh Agrawal
Team: Anjan Mondal, Jitrendra Farkade
Concept Design: Kartik Misra, Chinmay Chowdhary, Anjan Mondal, Mandeep Chaudhary, Aditya Sharma

Share your comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent

Diwan-i-Khas at Fatehpur Sikri. Image by Manfred Sommer

“If the received wisdom of this Western historiography is Eurocentric and subjective, how do we trace the evolution of architectural consciousness in India?”—Jaimini Mehta

The essay is the second of a three-part series of preview essays for Jaimini Mehta’s forthcoming book, Sense of Itihasa; Architecture and History in Modern India. He explores how colonial perspectives distorted Indian architectural history, arguing that indigenous architectural theories existed beyond Eurocentric interpretations, with the mandala symbolizing a deeper conceptual understanding of cosmic and spatial design.

Read More »
Jaimini Mehta - Architecture and History

“Unless you ask these questions, you will not realise that it is not history but the perception of history that needs to be revisited.”—Jaimini Mehta

The essay is the first of a three-part series of preview essays for Jaimini Mehta’s forthcoming book, Sense of Itihasa; Architecture and History in Modern India.
The book analyses the works of several contemporary, post-independence Indian architects to demonstrate that since independence, they have revitalized traditional architectural elements and techniques, drawing inspiration from India’s itihasa.

Read More »
Social Media and Architecture. @ArchitectureLive! (Image is AI generated)

“Social media has pulled back the curtain, democratizing the discourse and, more importantly, the architect’s image.” —Athulya Aby

Athulya Aby writes about how social media has transformed architecture, making it accessible to the masses. While it offers opportunities for inclusivity and innovation, it also poses risks of superficiality and prioritizing aesthetics over function. The future lies in balancing online presence with real-world impact, according to Athulya.

Read More »

Featured Publications

We Are Hiring