The Forbes Marshall factory in Kasarwadi has seen haphazard incremental growth since the late 50’s. Reacting to the changing needs, the facility had added four new built zones to the initial structure over the years. This resulted in a collaged building with varying spans, heights, and construction materials: with RCC columns and sheet metal roofs in some parts and load-bearing walls and concrete slabs in others.

In 2021, the client approached the architects with a vision to convert this building into a modern corporate hub housing 300 employees. However, the primary constraint was to retain the existing structure. Thus, the task in front of the architects was to unify the cluttered built fabric into a singular design language, driven by a commitment to sustainability and functionality.

To retain parts of the original structure while fortifying it for future demands, advanced technological methods such as carbon wrapping were used on the existing columns. Through meticulous reinforcement techniques such as steel jacketing and bracket installations, structural integrity was bolstered, ensuring longevity and safety for occupants.

The design ethos favoured simplicity, with a predominantly white palette. Strategic material choices, sourced locally and devoid of extravagance, contributed to the project’s fiscal prudence without compromising quality or functionality, creating truly timeless architecture.