In an exciting development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB), hailed as the world’s largest office space. This groundbreaking venture aims to shift the entire diamond trading market from Mumbai to Surat, Gujarat, signifying a significant leap for the diamond industry.
The Visionaries: Manit and Sonali Rastogi – Architects Extraordinaire
Meet the brilliant minds behind this architectural masterpiece – Manit Rastogi and Sonali Rastogi, founding partners at Morphogenesis and principal architects of the Surat Diamond Bourse. Their journey began as students at SPA Delhi and continued at the Architectural Association (AA), London. Today, they stand as pioneers, shaping the architectural landscape with their innovative designs.
Creating Morphogenesis: A Journey of 21 Years
After recognizing the absence of Indian architectural representation globally, Manit and Sonali founded Morphogenesis in 1996. For 21 years, their firm has been a beacon of innovation, completing over 450 projects across India and beyond.
Unique Features of Surat Diamond Bourse
The Surat Diamond Bourse stands out with its distinct characteristics, consolidating India’s vibrant diamond community within the world’s largest single-office building. The design draws inspiration from Surat’s cultural context, sustainability norms, and an efficient fishbone system for movement.
Innovative Design for Efficiency and Sustainability
To manage large volumes of people, the building features walkable corridors across all floors, resembling an airport terminal. The Surat Diamond Bourse boasts one of the largest installations of radiant cooling, using chilled circulated water for energy-efficient cooling. This unique design ensures a comfortable environment while prioritizing sustainability.
Adapting to Surat’s Topography
Addressing the challenge of floods near the highway, the architects constructed a plinth and a trench to harvest rainwater, showcasing their commitment to environmental consciousness. This adaptation not only mitigates flooding but also contributes to sustainable water usage.
Benefits for Diamond Merchants
The Surat Diamond Bourse is more than just a building; it’s a seed for the upcoming Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City, promising unprecedented socio-economic development. The architecture promotes a sense of community, encouraging interactions, recreational activities, and open trading reminiscent of a traditional bazaar.
Eco-Friendly Design: Balancing Business and Nature
With numerous open spaces providing shade and relaxation areas, the Surat Diamond Bourse resembles a bustling marketplace for diamond enthusiasts. The building’s community and circulation areas are naturally ventilated, contributing to passive cooling. Notably, it consumes 50% less energy compared to industry benchmarks, earning the prestigious Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Platinum rating.
Surat Diamond Bourse – Connecting Past, Present, and Future
In conclusion, the Surat Diamond Bourse is more than an architectural marvel; it symbolizes Surat’s spirit of trade, commerce, and innovation. With its positive impact on the diamond industry and the community, it stands as a testament to the power of vision, design, and sustainable architecture. The Surat Diamond Bourse truly connects the city’s past, present, and future, reflecting a bright and promising outlook for Surat and the diamond trade.
