Located in the industrial landscape, the outskirts of Pune, Maharashtra, “Sangam” (tr: Confluence) stands as a distinctive architectural intervention. This 3,300-square-foot canteen, for a pharmaceutical industry, creates a compelling dialogue through its mindfully chosen palette, balancing flexibility and endurance.
Breaking the Mould
The lunch hour represents one of the most vital breaks in an employee’s workday—a time for respite and social connection. The conception of Sangam deliberately creates a distinct shift from the typical and immediate industrial environment to provide this very break through its design and material choices.
“Two squares and a circle,” as described by the architect, defines the layout and indicates a clear spatial narrative as one approaches the building. The open-to-sky circular courtyard serves as an inviting entry point, breaking the uniformity of the rectangular forms on either side.
Materiality and Sustainability
The canteen’s program required seemingly contradictory qualities—durability to withstand industrial use alongside easy and adaptable modification potential. Sangam’s material palette resolves these demands while creating a rich visual and tactile experience.
Constructed with recycled bricks created from the construction debris, the load-bearing walls are bound with traditional lime mortar. This masonry not only anchors the structure firmly to its site but also embodies the solidity of Sangam.
In deliberate contrast, the dining halls feature polycarbonate walls and mild steel frameworks, seemingly floating above ground. The polycarbonate panels, 16 mm thick, offer superior insulation compared to the industry standard of 2-4 mm. PUF panel roofing completes this careful material composition.
This dialogue between masonry mass and steel frame lightness generates a sophisticated visual and architectural expression while clearly distinguishing between service cores and public spaces.
Light and Atmosphere
The manipulation of natural light stands as one of the compelling achievements for the project, as a direct result of the material composition and the striations. During the day, the polycarbonate structure filters the harsh sunlight into diffused, ambient illumination, flooding the spaces with natural light. This completely eliminated the need for artificial lighting.
As evening approaches, this relationship inverts. The building transforms into a luminous beacon within its industrial surroundings as the transparency of the dining halls radiates interior light outward. This dynamic relationship with light reinforces the building’s role as a space of respite.
Permanence and Adaptability
The vastness of the structures enhances their flexibility, allowing future transformations into various functional spaces as needs evolve. The design’s use of materials, which can be recycled or repurposed, demonstrates a thoughtful approach to long-term utility while considering the entire lifecycle of the building.
Sangam truly lives up to its name as a confluence—not just as a collective space for employees but also as an architectural alliance of distinct materials, textures, and lighting conditions. By creating this dramatic departure from typical industrial architecture, the canteen demonstrates how thoughtful design can enrich the daily experiences of its users while maintaining practical functionality.
Gallery:
Gallery (Drawings):
(from left) Plan, Section — Sangam (Canteen). © Alkesh Gangwal & Associates.
Project Details:
Name: Sangam
Location: Outskirts of Pune, Maharashtra
Area: 3,300 sq. ft.
Status: Completed (2024)
Typology: Industrial Architecture
Designed by: Alkesh Gangwal & Associates
Design Team: Ayush Gangwal, Omkar Jadhav, Aditi Bapte
Structural Design: Japan Shah Consulting Engineers
Construction: Gravity Structural Design and Construction Services
Photographs: Vivek Eadara
Description: Geethu Gangadhar
