3XN unveils mangrove-inspired design for their first Mumbai project

3XN recently celebrated the unveiling and groundbreaking for a mixed-use and residential tower complex called Grove Towers. As the Danish firm's first project in Mumbai, project developer Ornate Spaces marked the occasion by hosting a spiritual Bhumi Puja ceremony followed by a Bollywood-inspired party for 1,000 guests -- many of whom will be moving into the residential tower once the project is built.

Construction is expected to take three years.

Take a gander at the project's design below.

"A Cluster of trees which seemingly braid together: 3XN’s design team was invited for the event which unveiled the 77.000 m2 project inspired by the Indian nature and Mumbai’s mangroves. Just as clusters of mangrove stalks seemingly braid together at the base, the two towers in this mixed use development converge at the lower retail floors, rising up to provide amenity spaces on the podium; and grow into the sky as a cluster of slender trees providing some of Mumbai’s most thoughtfully laid out residential accommodation. Each unit features views in at least two directions, many of which look out towards the mangroves to the North, and Indian Ocean to the West."

Kim Herforth Nielsen, Principal and Creative Director for 3XN, says: ‘With this design for Grove Towers, we wanted to create something special for Mumbaikars and Ornate Spaces. Each time I visit, I am overwhelmed at how much I see the strength of community in all aspects of Indian life. I want this to be a vertical community that brings people together, and becomes a setting for growth and life.’"   

"In addition the project is an example of integrating GXN, 3XN’s Innovation Unit in the design process. Their involvement in the design for the façade significantly reduces direct solar gain, maximizes natural ventilation and aims for LEED Gold certification. With over 2500 m2 of vertical gardens, the building lowers CO2 in Mumbai’s humid and congested environment, cleaning the air around it."

"Groundbreaking Ceremony – Bhumi Puja: In a two part spectacle of colour and tradition, Ornate Spaces Managing Director Vijay Machindar initiated the Bhumi Puja, a ceremony asking Mother Nature for permission to build on the land, and her blessings for all life involved in the project."

"Kim Herforth Nielsen, Principal and Creative Director of 3XN, was among the guests for the intimate ceremony which he described: ‘was unlike any ground-breaking ceremony I have ever participated’ and continued: ‘I was very honored to have been invited to participate in this unique event.'"

Project details:

Client: Ornate Spaces Pvt. Ltd.  Vijay Machindar (Managing Director),  Abhimanyu Londhe (Chief Operating Officer) 
Design Architect: 3XN  Kim Nielsen (Principal and Creative Director) 
Executive Architect: Sandeep Shikre & Associates 
Client Advisor / Project Design 
Coordinator: Rajeev Kasat and Associates 
Engineering: Buro Happold Engineers (Mumbai)

Gross Area: 77,000 m2 plus 16,000 m2 basement 
Number of Units: 273 Apartments 
Height: 38 Stories, 136 Meters

Images courtesy of 3XN.

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