Sustainable Commercial & Hospitality Architecture
We believe commercial spaces deserve the same thoughtful, bioclimatic approach as our homes. Our design process focuses on functionality, natural light, and reducing environmental impact.
An aerial top-down view of the Fanuc India factory in Chennai. This project won an award for sustainability, incorporating features like extensive solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and green courtyards within the industrial complex.
An exterior view of the Fanuc India factory. The design uses exposed brick and concrete, with large green spaces and a lake view, to create a pleasant and sustainable working environment.
The factory building is designed with bioclimatic principles, using natural materials and landscaping to create a more human-centric industrial space.
Another aerial view showing the layout of the factory, with its green corridors and solar-panel-covered roofs.
A commercial building under construction, featuring a terracotta screen wall that shields the glass facade from the harsh sun.
The front facade of the commercial building, showing the combination of glass, a central concrete panel, and the textured terracotta screens.
The view from inside the building, looking out through the terracotta jali. The screen provides privacy and shade while still allowing light and views.
About this collection
We often use terracotta screens in our commercial projects, not just for the striking geometric patterns they create, but because they act as a natural, passive cooling system. By shielding the glass facade from harsh western sun, these screens significantly reduce the heat gain within the building, lowering the load on air conditioning and creating a workspace that feels naturally cooler and more comfortable throughout the day.
Architecture is often assumed to be about volume and aesthetics, but in commercial and industrial contexts, we prioritize performance. Whether it is an office building or a factory, our goal is to create environments that are human-centric, drawing on the same principles we apply to our residential work.
Bioclimatic Industrial Design
We treat industrial architecture as an opportunity to bridge the gap between heavy production and environmental harmony. For projects like the Fanuc India factory, which received recognition for its sustainability efforts, we integrated extensive solar energy, water harvesting, and green courtyards directly into the building layout. This reduces long-term operational costs and creates a healthier atmosphere for the people working inside.
Materiality in Commercial Spaces
Just as we do in our homes, we favour materials that age gracefully. We use exposed brick, concrete, and terracotta to give commercial buildings a sense of character that sterile glass facades often lack. These materials are chosen for their thermal mass and ability to regulate internal temperatures. By using perforated screens (jalis), we control privacy and glare, ensuring that light is filtered rather than harsh, creating a calm visual rhythm inside the workspace.
The Workflow
We handle the entire process, from initial site analysis and bioclimatic planning to final material selection. We collaborate with structural teams to ensure that these large-scale designs remain functional, durable, and aligned with your operational requirements. If you are looking to build a space that aligns modern functionality with sustainable practices, we would be happy to walk you through our process.
Design Kacheri
We are Nidhish and Chaitra, the duo behind Design Kacheri. While our hearts often live in residential architecture, we love the challenge of applying those same principles to larger commercial and hospitality spaces, ensuring they remain grounded, sustainable, and truly connected to their surroundings.
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