Firm Hall IHholo Lezidlo, IsiKhungo Somphakathi by Vigneswar Vasulingam Sivanesan

Firm Hall IHholo Lezidlo, IsiKhungo Somphakathi by Vigneswar Vasulingam Sivanesan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Ezokwakha, Izakhiwo Nezinhlaka Competition Category.

IsilivaEzokwakha· 2020

Firm Hall IHholo Lezidlo, IsiKhungo Somphakathi

by Vigneswar Vasulingam Sivanesan

Client: Architecture plus Value

Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award Winner in Ezokwakha Category

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The Design

About Firm Hall IHholo Lezidlo, IsiKhungo Somphakathi

IFirm Hall iyisikhungo sezidlo nesomphakathi eChennai, eNdiya. Le phrojekthi iwuguqulo lokuphinda kusetshenziswe indlu yokuhlala ekhona kwindawo enematiki. Izindonga zangaphandle zagcinwa ziphelele, kanti izindonga zangaphakathi zaguqulwa ukuze kwakheke indawo yomcimbi eyodwa enkulu esitezi ngasinye. Isitezi esiphansi sinehholo lomndeni, isitezi sokuqala sinehholo elinezingxoxo zebanga elikude (tele-conferencing), kanti uphahla lunepaviliyoni elivulekile ohhafini elinengadi enhle. Ubuso besakhiwo buhlanganisa isakhiwo esinsundu esinesimo phansi kanye nesakhiwo esimhlophe esinamaphethini eskrini asikwe kumashidi e-aluminiyamu futhi akhanyiswa ngemuva.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award

Firm Hall IHholo Lezidlo, IsiKhungo Somphakathi iwinile uMklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile ngokungajwayelekile okunikezwa imiklamo esezingeni eliphezulu, ebukekayo nethinta kakhulu. Abawinile beSiliva yimisebenzi egqamile kakhulu nedala kakhulu ebonisa ubungcweti obuphawulekayo, italente nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Firm Hall IHholo Lezidlo, IsiKhungo Somphakathi ilindeleke ukuba ibe ngumsebenzi omuhle wesibonelo, onobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha ezijulile. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award uyinto entsha ebonakala kakhulu nethakazelisayo esiza futhi isunduza imingcele yobuciko, isayensi, ukuklama nobuchwepheshe. Firm Hall IHholo Lezidlo, IsiKhungo Somphakathi iyinto enomhawu omkhulu kuyo evusa izifiso, ilethe imizwa emihle futhi ivuse ukumangala nokuxakeka.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Firm Hall is an Iconic Community Project created on a Shoe-String Budget. Through sensitive Adaptive Re-use an existing residential bungalow, at a busy intersection, was converted into a state-of-the-art Event Venue. The Project not only acts as a revenue source for the developer but also serves the local neighbourhood as a Community Centre. It is environmentally sustainable and cost-effective. An innovative Facade system and Landscape features were developed to add value to the Project.
Dimensions & Packaging: A strong language was created by designing two different masses, a high glossy white mass with intricate Jali or Screen patterns was kept in the first floor above a solid textured brown mass on the ground floor. CNC cut patterns were made on a 3 mm aluminium sheets with back lighting to emphasise the patterns during night. A series of up-throw lights make the white mass look floating. The terrace was converted into a semi-open party area with a light metal roof and a landscaped terrace.
Tags: Event space, White, Facade, Community centre, Banquet Hall, Chennai, Anna Nagar
Production Technology: Adaptive Re-Use_The external periphery of the Structure was kept intact. The Existing internal load bearing walls were analysed and the smaller spaces were amalgamated into a single large event space in each floor. Separate Service areas and a service entry were provided to the project to ensure smooth servicing. A metal staircase was introduced in the rear service area to provide vertical service access and also act as a secondary fire-exit.
Design Challenge: The Property has become a land-mark in Chennai. It has a 90% occupancy rate since opening and has turned into a commercially profitable venture. Space utilisation and service strategy has ensured a smooth functioning for multiple events. The Space caters to multitude of aspirations hosting a range of events ranging from birth-day parties to weddings and convocation ceremonies. Firm Hall is a case-study on how sensitive design and programming can add a lot of value to the Indian urban fabric.
Research: The main aim of the Design was to provide a premium and plush environment for the event spaces. A detailed research was done on the existing event spaces in the city and on how to make this a profitable commercial venture. Being an Adaptive Re-Use project the building needed to be retained to its best possible manner and converted into an event venue. This provided additional challenges to the design.
Inspiration: Firm Hall is a successful prototype to unlock the hidden commercial & community potential in the Indian Urban Context. Third-world cities like Chennai lack good Community Centres. Private developers are concerned more on Commercial aspects. As Architects we knew that the key is to bring both these contradictory forces into one successful project. Through sensitive design and clever planning, Firm Hall has become a commercially successful community centre.
Project Duration: Firm Hall was started in December 2018 and completed in April 2019. It is located on a busy commercial through-fare in Anna-Nagar, which is one of the premium residential areas in the city of Chennai.
Operation Flow: The event spaces opened out into the front garden and lobby spaces were designed as break-out spaces and informal gathering areas The Ground floor was converted into a Family hall, First floor hall with Tele-Conferencing facilities and the Terrace was converted into a semi-open pavilion with a landscaped terrace garden. The Building was designed such that each floor could be used as a separate event space for three different events or could be used in a combined manner to host a larger event.
Team Members: Vigneswar V S
Swathi Kunimbedu
Image Credits: Photographer Prithvi M Samy