Gurugram, India
Hafeez Contractor, together with Rockwell Group and landscape architects SWA have completed a luxurious condominium complex for the Indian leading real estate developers DLF comprising stunning architectural elements and top-notch amenities that is India’s first residential development accredited with LEED Platinum certification by the Green Building Council for sustainability and energy conservation efforts, for core & shell development.
The Camelias project has been awarded a 2022 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The Camellias is a residential complex that has 9 towers containing 429 units with one unit per floor.is the result of excellence in development accompanied by responsible and ethical practices synthesized with larger goals of sustainability, green energy, and environmental enhancement.
The structure has several unique features including – construction with high-grade concrete and coated steel as per Type 1 standard defined by the National Building Code of India (NBC), making it more fire resistant; Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks for all the internal partitions, make the structure lighter; conventional beam and column structure replaced with hybrid flat slab technique with an extension slab towards the scenic end, coupled with only two load bearing columns on the entire floor.
These large voluminous spans devised through a combination of high ceilings and clear floor areas provide maximum flexibility to the residents.
Each residence has been flawlessly planned: column-free spaces with high ceilings and large windows allowing natural light and giving a sense of space.
All apartments have a large private balcony with a scenic view of the Aravali hills, golf courses, lakes, and city skyline during the day, and in the evening, the celestially lit water garden below.
The Camelias’design optimizes the impact of sunlight on the structure using carefully chosen materials that reflect, transmit, and absorb sun rays, thereby predicting the movement of heated air around the building.
As a commitment to green energy, great emphasis was placed on passive solar design to diffuse sunlight and reduce heat absorption throughout the structure.
The latticework on the facade is positioned over utility areas and kitchen windows to obtain indirect daylight and decrease heat absorption while allowing sufficient ventilation.
Projected balconies similarly serve as external shading devices, restricting the warming of interior spaces.
At the heart of the residential development is one of the largest clubhouses in the world, The Camellias Club spans 14864,48 square meters including outdoor spaces.
It is the culmination of the unique innovative vision of six of the most celebrated design professionals from across the world who worked in complete synchrony to create this awe-inspiring space.
Each of the seven programmatic areas/energy zones was inspired by vital energies, making it undoubtedly the most imaginative bi-level club space created anywhere in the world.
The clubhouse has seven different landscaped concrete roofs at varying levels, inspired by abstract versions of the petals of a camellia, creating a dissonance between the floor plan and the expression of the roof.
The building facade is animated using different materials on the outer façade including striated stone, glass, and metal panels, and also by its volumetric irregularity.
The Camellias Club is separated from the residential towers by the sprawling fan-shaped reflecting pools of the Water Garden, on a 1.3 acres of water feature, resembling a starry sky when lit at night. Walkways crisscross the Water Garden, providing easy access and unique interaction with the water for residents.
Project: The Camellias by DLF
Architects: Hafeez Contractor
Clubhouse Architects: Rockwell Group
Landscape Architects: SWA Group
Contractor: DLF Ltd.
Client: DLF Ltd.
Photographers: Karam Puri
