Facade at play

The Seven Star Multiplex at Satara designed by Ar. Mahendra B. Chavan, exhibits a dynamic play of masses in a typology that is otherwise donned in brutal deadness and meaningless transparency. In the heart of Satara, sits a remarkable structure in between bustling markets and public conveyance nodes. The design principles, zoning and form is a reciprocation of the organised chaos experienced in the old core of Indian cities. Sliding away from the usual, mundane transparent facades in such complexes, the mass has been developed as a tilted intersection of two cuboids. A wide frontage of 22 metres provides the entire view of the building at a glance from the main road hence giving scope to commercial activity. So as to eliminate heat gain by the facade, fenestration is tilted from the vertical surface giving character to this landmark building.The front facade with the tilted cubes creates a shaded shopping experience for the users while becoming an iconic landmark of the market area. To attain structural stability in the earthquake prone zone, expansion joints have been used. Insulation is achieved by peripheral cavity passage to the multiplex area which reduces heating of the internal part of the structure and reduces load on A.C. Zoning of areas into commercial and leisure zones is done laterally giving priority to public demand and area utilization. The terrace of the building is proposed with a multi – functional area which will host public functions. Green Buffer on front side reduces reflected heat sound and dust.