GMS Grande Palladium: Insane Mumbai Office Looks Like It’s Straight Out of Star Wars

If you came across this crazy building in your hood, you might think that someone was shooting a Star Wars sequel. But the GMS Grande Palladium is a real structure located between the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/prince-charles-to-become-slumlord-millionaire-of-eco-community-in-india/">Dharavi slums</a> and a business district in Mumbai - and yes folks, people actually work inside this thing. Soaring <a href="http://inhabitat.com/cantilevered-office-anchors-green-campus-in-mexico/">cantilevers</a>, a faceted aluminum facade and long skinny windows make the 6 story office building look like a spaceship that has just landed. <a href="http://www.malikarchitecture.com/" target="_blank">Malik Architecture</a> employed a holistic process in its design, and aimed to create a unique space with a focus on sustainability that really distinguishes itself from the boring glass monoliths located nearby.

The GMS Grande Palladium is hoisted 8 meters above the ground to create a landscaped courtyard that is more interconnected with the street level.

The main lobby to the building is located here as well as a cafe, where employees and visitors can enjoy the outdoor shaded space.

A parking garage is located underground to maximize space and reduce the urban heat island effect.

Above are four levels of generic commercial space for a variety of companies with the top floors reserved for the building's owner and his son's office suites.

Malik Architecture aimed to create a holistic and healthy working environment so the incorporated operable windows for natural ventilation and lots of daylighting through the specially placed horizontal windows and the north and east glazed facades.

Indoor Air Quality management an energy efficient HVAC system and lighting ensure a comfortable indoor climate.

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/building-information-modeling/">BIM</a> helped the company optimize the use of materials and construction efforts, saving time, money and resources.

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/rainwater-collection">Rainwater</a> is collected and used along with grey water for landscape irrigation.

The project also included the use of locally sourced materials, recycled materials, diversion of 50% of construction waste from the landfill and a on-site recycling program for the offices.

Cross section of the GMS Grande Palladium.

Floor plan of the 5th floor or 8th level.

Floor plan of the 6th floor or the 9th level.

Floorplan at the podium level.