Knorr-Bremse Technology Center, Pune

Knorr-Bremse is one of the world’s leading braking technology companies with more than 110 years of experience in the field. With a strong focus on the Indian market, Knorr-Bremse is devoted to enhance customer loyalty through innovative products and advanced technologies. The organization is governed by the highest global standards of quality and safety, and as architects, DSP Design Associates were responsible to deliver a design that is reflective of the organization’s global character.

Maintaining High Standards
The design brief was to create the facility at Hinjewadi, Pune at par with the organization’s existing international plans, without losing focus on functionality and aesthetics. The design thought was to create a dedicated technology center to cater to the Research & Development requirements of the Knorr-Bremse Group companies, and to support development of best in class mechanical and electronic products for rail and truck vehicle systems. The architecture of the facility had to provide for easy mobilization of resources, foster collaboration and allow all the units of the organization to synergize within the same hi-tech industrial facility.

Functionality and flexibility were at the core of the design for this project. We had to ensure that the design could adapt to future changes and technological upgrades. The core and the services were planned to be functional and easy on maintenance. It is engrained in the DNA of our design practice to arrive at designs that meet the desired utility benchmarks, coupled with aesthetic ambitions, given the setting the project is situated in from an architectural service perspective.
YATIN PATEL, Principal, DSP Design Associates

Thoughtful Planning
The design concept and planning was arrived at after careful understanding of the use and programs which were going to be housed in this facility. The design inclinations were minimalistic, yet functional, with paramount importance being given to the smooth functioning and spatial planning of this industrial facility. It was important to develop a distinct identity and character befitting Knorr-Bremse, also ensuring the criticalities of an industrial design towards an effective supply chain management were also met.

Steel has been a major dominator when it comes to framed structures used within industrial architecture. The shop floor has been constructed using pre-engineered building material with grids of 15m x 28m and overall 96m x 84m having single ridge vents. The structural design has been planned taking into account the requisite seismic and wind loads. Use of steel ensured timely delivery of the project, quality assurance and cost efficiency. It also enabled in making the project energy efficient and earthquake resistant.

Simple & Clean Geometry
The interior design and planning of this industrial structure conforms to green specifications. The design and orientation of the building allows for optimum daylight penetration and cross ventilation thereby allowing for energy conservation. Functionality and flexibility being key in this project, the geometry of the building was kept simple and clean. It was primarily driven by the structural grid, thereby, allowing for modularity and efficiency, while at the same time ensuring an aesthetically designed building. The software used for designing and detailing include AutoCAD, STAAD.

Designing Glory
DSP Design takes immense pride in this industrial project for Knorr-Bremse as the overall experience has been phenomenal. This industrial building was an interesting project to marry the functional detailing of a successful industrial building, the client brief and architectural ambitions. There is extensive due-diligence that needs to be undertaken in aspects like designing of ventilation systems, understanding the working of machinery, their heat dissipation, number of air changes and facility management. The accuracy and success of the project is only driven by well-informed design decisions from the design team that is unique to the context and program, beyond an obviously assumed standard-universal solution.

Project Timeline
Design – 6 months
Execution – 12 months