Inside Surat Diamond Bourse, the world's largest office
The soon-to-open Surat Diamond Bourse has solidified Surat's position as the world center of the diamond industry. This state-of-the-art hub is going to be the ultimate one-stop destination for over 65,000 diamond professionals, including cutters, polishers, and traders. According to CNN, the mammoth diamond hub building has surpassed the United State's Pentagon as the world's largest office building. Let's take a look inside.
Dimensions of the structure
The Surat Diamond Bourse is a massive 15-story complex, spread across more than 35 acres of land. It consists of nine interconnected rectangular structures, connected by a spine, offering over 7.1 million square feet of total floor space. It has 131 elevators for ease of mobility, and dining, retail, wellness, and conference facilities for workers. The project cost around Rs. 32 billion ($388 million).
Sustainable construction
Designed by Indian architecture firm Morphogenesis, the building uses up to 50% less energy than allowed, earning it a "platinum" rating from the Indian Green Building Council. Architects designed the central spine in a flared shape to channel prevailing winds through the structure. They also implemented a "radiant cooling" system that circulates chilled water under the floors to lower indoor temperatures.
An inclusive and democratic building
Morphogenesis stated to CNN that its building layout ensures a "level playing field" for businesses of all sizes. The offices are interconnected by a long central corridor, providing easy access to amenities and facilities for all occupants. The co-founder of the architecture firm, Sonali Rastogi, described the design as "democratic," emphasizing its inclusive and accessible nature for everyone within the building.
Courtyard with a traditional bazaar feel
The building features a series of nine 1.5-acre courtyards thoughtfully designed with inviting seating areas and serene water features. These courtyards serve as relaxed meeting spaces for traders to engage in face-to-face interactions and discussions. Rastogi draws a comparison between these courtyards and a "traditional bazaar," as she justifies, "Email orders are probably taken inside, but human-to-human transactions are almost all outside."
Building that saves time
The building features marble floors and well-lit atriums, connecting more than 4,700 office spaces. Rastogi told CNN that no office takes longer than a few minutes to reach from any of the building's entry gates. According to the project's CEO, Mahesh Gadhavi, the diamond bourse will eliminate the need for thousands of people to travel to Mumbai by train for business purposes.
