Office rooftop design in Kolkata by Abin Chaudhuri creates a sensorial experience

Roofscapes and terrace architecture have gained much importance over a period of time due to the urging exigencies of climate change and the pressing urban densification. In a country like India and its metropolitan areas, where real estate prices touch the sky and cities grow vertically, the terraces not only create value but also transform the untapped rooftop into an accessible area. Residences as well as commercial entities are also exploring possibilities to convert their roofs into innovative destinations for relaxation and leisure.

One such place with exceptional outdoor space and stunning views is the 10,000 square-foot terrace for RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group’s office in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Designed to be the guest entertainment area, the luxury rooftop of the corporate office building emphasises the connect of the space, the building, its people and the urban environment with the sky.

The RPSG Group is a renowned Indian industrial and services conglomerate headquartered in Kolkata. Sensitively designed by the city based Abin Design Studio, the rooftop aims to create an experience that heightens the senses. “What I feel is, in a dense urban city, the roof has always been ‘space’ for provocation to connect sky, light, water and green... nature as a whole,” says Abin Chaudhari, the firm’s principal architect.

From the innovative entrance water court to the glazed dining area, the project attempts to connect natural elements with luxurious detailing providing one with a holistic sensorial experience. “In the design of the RPSG rooftop, we have tried to connect all senses possibly with an experience and we have used installation as a tool to navigate these senses,” adds Chaudhari.

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The design aims to create a generous form of expression by allowing light and air to permeate the surroundings and enhance the lofty location of the venue. The flow of the spaces is fluid in nature, graciously captured in the video shot by photographer Edmund Sumner. While at the terrace, one can move from one space to another – from a water feature to the landscaped greens to the foyer with a fountain element to the reflecting canopy – while being connected to the sky and nature, making one feel liberated in a densely populated city.

The rooftop of the eight-storey building is covered with a canopy installation of seamless bubble-like stainless steel spheres, which metaphorically highlight the rise of a generation of stalwarts of the company, their aspirations engaging the sky, while tethered to the ground, further reflecting life and liveliness of today’s ongoing celebrations. The ‘celestial’ canopy installation on the rooftop also denotes mirrored pools of thoughts, frozen conversation bubbles and encourages an upward perspective.

The team at Abin Design Studio attempts to provide the rooftop an ever-changing enchanted atmosphere through this rooftop installation, which involved architects, designers, engineers, and fabricators. The installation consists of 752 spheres, each 1-3 in diameter, and are supported by 11 structural columns that are at least 15 feet high. 

The rooftop and the entire building of the corporate office of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group experiments with spatial narrative through craftsmanship. Describing the terrace that transcends boundaries of closed office habitats, Chaudhari says, “Under a sky of stars, stands this terrace of rejoicing - of thought and contemplation, of gratitude for blessings and the prospect of a brighter future”.

Project Details

Name: RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group - Office rooftop
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Area: 10,000 sqft
Status: Completed, January 2020
Client: RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group
Architecture, Landscape and Interior Design: Abin Design Studio
Design Team: Abin Chaudhuri, Tilak Ajmera, Arijit Dhar, Paromita Chatterjee, Jibendra Basak, Monomita Banerjee, Bidyut Chakraborty
SS Metal Fabricators: JSL Life Style Ltd
Landscape Consultant: Supermode