FEBRUARY 2020 `200

A N I N D I A N J O U R N A L O F A R C H I T E C T U R E

Diversity in Workspaces  Essays in Architecture

Advertorial
Cafe Infinity
Project: Cafe Infinity I Client: Mr. Sohil Chadha, Vice Chairman, I.T.S Dental College, Greater Noida
C
afe Infinity located at ITS Dental College, Greater
Noida is designed using 9X40 footer shipping
containers, to be used as a recreational space for
students, faculty and patients alike. The vision was to design
a sustainable structure that goes beyond the conventional
and pushes the boundaries of design and build form.
Recycled shipping container, being a sustainable product,
was a perfect fit due to its modularity as well as economic
feasibility as compared to the conventional RCC structure.
I.T.S GREATER NOIDA
The I.T.S Education Group is the fastest growing educational
group in Northern India. Since its inception in 1995 the I.T.S
Dental College & Engineering College are located at Greater
Noida. Besides various other courses offered at different
20 February 2020 ARCHITECTURE+ DESIGN
The cafe is designed to stand out due to its form factor, and
also in terms of its positioning, breaking the rigidity of the
existing site layout. Focussing on the outer structure and
containers’ industrial form factor the interior is kept neutral.
WHY INFINITY?
The idea of using infinity was conceived to emphasize
on the infinite possibilities of using a shipping container
as a structural unit, regardless of the building type
Campuses. Taking forward this legacy of innovation
and creativity, we are proud to introduce Café Infinity, a
one of its kind Cafeteria, with an aim to provide a relaxing
atmosphere to help students unwind and interact.
WHY SHIPPING CONTAINERS ARE THE FUTURE?
Strength: Made with weathered steel, shipping
containers can withstand most natural events
and heavy weather.
Green: There are millions of shipping containers
in the world, but only a fraction of them are used
actively. For each 40 ft shipping container, you
are reusing more than 8,000 pounds of steel.
Cost Efficient: Utilizing recycled containers save
money and time during construction making them
economically feasible than the alternate.
Modular: All shipping containers have standard
height and length measurements and as such
they provide modular elements that can be
combined into larger structures.
—Architect: Ar. Rahul Jain
and site. The flexibility, modularity and sustainability
makes shipping containers a perfect alternate to the
conventional building structures (RCC), to reduce the
overall carbon footprint while also being an ecologically
and economically viable solution.
The design idea centres around two courtyards which
comprises of two cafe outlets in the front, two dynamic
staircases acting as seating and providing access to
the viewing decks. The seating is centered around the
courtyard and provides an ideal view point of the inner
courtyards and the outer landscape, which is often utilized
for sporting events as well as other activities of the institute.
The organic landscape layout complements the rigid
geometry of the containers and provides fluidity to the
site circulation. Large glazings of staircases merge
the rigid build form with the landscape. The landscape
complements the industrial nature of the architecture, but
also promotes activity, and consequently, vibrancy to the
entirety of the site.
The building is formed with the use of recycled shipping
containers (40 feet) that were crafted with the careful
consideration to preserve its raw and industrial form. The
structure, services and functionality are designed with
a focus on sustainability. Passive cooling and insulation
is provided with the use of 50 MM rockwool insulation,
gypsum panelling, fibre cement board for rooftop flooring,
tinted windows, mechanical cooling, strategic placement
of windows and openings to make the building perfectly
adequate in the extreme weather conditions of the site.
Louvers made of reused shipping container doors located
in the south direction minimize the heat gain as well as
give privacy from the public hospital.
ARCHITECTURE+ DESIGN February 2020 21