Ardete Headquarters / Studio Ardete

Architects: Studio Ardete
Area: 18,000 ft²
Site Area: 4,502 ft²
Year: 2024
Photography: Purnesh Dev Nikhanj, Jeevan Jyot
Lead Architects: Badrinath and Prerna Kaleru
Construction Management: RS Builders
Project Management Consultant: Sanan Builders
LEED Consultant: Vishal Parbhakar
Electrical Consultant: The Luminars
Electrical and IT Contractor: KNN Connecting
Lighting: iGuzzini
Plumbing Consultant: Behera and Associates
Plumbing Contractor: Mr. Shyam Lal
Kitchen Consultant: Spacewood and Alea Kitchen
Exterior Finish: Solid aluminum works by Metaguise
Furniture: Spacewood
Automated Lighting: Om Electrical
Artworks: Chitwan Studio, Studio Hash
Paint and Texture: Asian Paints
Sanitary Fittings: TOTO, Sloan, Fima, Hansgrohe
Veneers: The Natural Veneers
Wall Cladding: Texture paint by Asian Paints, ACP exterior
HVAC: Daikin by The Design Air
Sound and Acoustics: AV Acoustics
Ceiling Acoustics: Himalayan Acoustics
Pantry: Spacewood and Alea Kitchen
Metal Work: BNK Dome Archi
Window Systems: Schuco
Internal Glass Partitions: Dormakaba
Solar Energy System: Inter Solar
Building Management System: 75F
External Glass: Saint Gobain ST 167
City: Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali), Punjab
Country: India

Ardete Headquarters commercial office building, designed by Studio Ardete in Mohali, Punjab, has established a new model for compact sustainable office architecture through introspective planning, passive design, and material precision. The 18,000 square foot structure employs vertical zoning to separate public and team functions while integrating solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and LEED-compliant systems. A dynamic aluminum facade, inspired by an on-site tree, filters light and reduces heat, reflecting the studio’s environmental focus and future-oriented design philosophy.

Studio Ardete used the relocation of its office as a design exercise to define the next phase of its architectural identity. Rather than responding to the expectations that come with designing a workspace for themselves, the principals, Badrinath and Prerna Kaleru, led the studio through a self-directed process of reflection. The design brief emerged from a series of fundamental questions about where the practice is headed, how the space should feel, what supports team well-being, and how sustainability could be embedded. These questions framed a program that emphasized adaptability, purpose, and continuity.

The resulting design divides the 18,000 ft² building vertically by function. The lower levels serve client-facing activities, including reception, meeting spaces, lounges, and a material library. The top floors are organized as a duplex workspace for the team and feature a town hall area to support collaboration. A spiral staircase links the four floors, acting as a spatial connector and formal centerpiece. Glass partitions by Dormakaba were used to define boundaries while preserving transparency and daylight. Circulation remains open and fluid throughout the building. The rooftop accommodates an open-air gathering space used for recreation and informal events.

The design of the facade was driven by both environmental and conceptual intent. A preserved tree at the front of the site informed the design direction. Its moving leaves inspired a facade composed of Meta Sequin panels from Metaguise, arranged in variable angles to produce a kinetic, textured surface. This perforated aluminum screen manages solar exposure by diffusing glare, improving comfort, and reinforcing the project’s low-energy strategy.

Passive design principles were applied across the building’s massing and material palette. AAC blocks certified by Green Pro, low-VOC paints, high-performance HVAC systems from Daikin, and thermal glazing by Saint-Gobain were selected to optimize performance. Solar panels by Inter Solar on the roof generate nearly half of the energy demand, while rainwater is fully harvested onsite. Fixtures by TOTO, Sloan, Fima, and Hansgrohe reduce water use. The combined strategies enabled the building to become the first LEED Platinum-certified commercial structure in Punjab.

The project integrates a comprehensive set of technical and aesthetic systems. Lighting was provided by iGuzzini, electrical planning was handled by The Luminars and KNN Connecting, and sound control was executed by AV Acoustics and Himalayan Acoustics. Material finishes include micro concrete and tiles for the flooring, textured paint and aluminum cladding for the exterior, and internal glass walls to support spatial continuity. Furniture and kitchen components were developed by Spacewood and Alea Kitchen. Metalwork was completed by BNK Dome Archi, and the building is managed by a 75F system that supports environmental monitoring. Window systems were installed using Schuco components, and the facade includes Saint-Gobain ST 167 glass to ensure thermal control and visibility. Art installations from Chitwan Studio and Studio Hash were incorporated to enhance the visual character of the interiors.

Ardete Headquarters brings together technical resolution, contextual reference, and programmatic clarity in a way that reflects Studio Ardete’s approach to meaningful workplace architecture. The building stands as both a statement of the firm’s design values and an example of how introspection, precision, and sustainability can define the future of commercial practice.