Being one of the fastest growing suburbs of Asia, Thane is a thriving business location attracting sectors like IT & ITeS, BFSI, and Consultants etc. into its fold. Taking into consideration factors like growing market sentiments, the new IT/ITES Policy 2015 and business opportunities, Thane has evolved as a preferred destination for Multinationals and Indian companies alike. Irfan Bandukwala, Project Incharge, Thane One shares his views with Sandeep Sharma about his company DIL Ltd, ThaneOne Business Park project, concept and design philosophy, challenges faced, sustainable design and construction and the latest realty trends in Thane. Edited Excerpts... Tell us about your company, objectives and core competencies? DIL Ltd. (formerly Duphar-Interfran Ltd.) is a public listed company, with its footprints across Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Environmental solutions and other segments including Entertainment and Health & Wellness. Carrying along a rich and resplendent legacy of over six decades, DIL Ltd. today is a holding company led by a young and vibrant leader, Mr. Krishna Datla, who succeeds in infusing a youthful and forward-looking outlook across the group. Could you provide us an insight about your innovative concept and design philosophy used in 'Thane One'? Thane One, iconic IT/ITeS Business Park is a DIL Ltd. venture built to the highest level of quality standards. Our concept was to provide a unique corporate and sustainable destination where people enjoy working. Our philosophy is reflected in our design with an emphasis on bringing energy efficiencies along with abundant green spaces, better air quality and open spaces for sporting / social activities. What makes 'Thane One' project so special and unique? Thane One is the 1st LEED PLATINUM Pre Certified Business Park in Thane by the Indian Green Building Council. Our Architectural design has won "The Best Office Architecture, India” award for 2013 -14 at the Asia Pacific Property Awards for Architecture held in Malaysia. Situated in a lush Green complex with multiple water bodies, Thane One offers unique corporate offices with landscaped terrace gardens, balconies and spectacular views. All facilities provided at Thane One are at par with International standards including Operational Efficiencies, Safety & Security. Our strategic location offers easy access from all parts of Mumbai, Greater Mumbai and Thane through multiple modes of transport which is vital for improved employee satisfaction & retention and business success. What are your views about sustainable design and construction? Increasing energy prices, stricter government regulations and an increasingly educated and affluent labor force has made sustainability an integral part in design and construction. The government has also acknowledged the benefits of a sustainable design and construction and has started making laws that make it mandatory for the industry to follow certain minimum norms. We constantly hear of innovation to make solar power generation cost effective and feasible for a larger number of projects. This is just one example of how sustainability is here to stay. What are the latest realty trends emerging in the city of Thane? The corporate office space in the Eastern suburbs like Thane has been experiencing a surge in demand. Highly skilled working class population, superior infrastructure including improved road connectivity, abundant healthcare facilities, ample entertainment venues and lower rentals as compared to CBD are key factors for corporate to look out for office space in Thane. Thane, over a period of time has become the next best business destination to the commercial capital of India, Mumbai. Being one of the fastest growing suburbs of Asia, Thane is a thriving business location attracting sectors like IT & ITeS, BFSI, and Consultants etc. into its fold. Taking into consideration factors like growing market sentiments, the new IT/ITES Policy 2015 and business opportunities, Thane has evolved as a preferred destination for Multinationals and Indian companies alike. What kind of challenges have you faced in 'Thane One' project? Achieving a balance in construction cost & timelines while ensuring adherence to design and agreed quality standards. What's your take on the supply and increase of building material prices in India mainly Cement? Being a LEED Platinum Pre Certified Business park, we are continuously evaluating alternate cost effective material options and execution methodologies which are now available, to overcome hurdles of supply and increase in building material prices. What is the way forward for architects & builders fraternity to spearhead green building movement in India? Make the design follow minimum green features irrespective of application for rating and constantly evaluate costs capex and opex with the help of a design development consultant to get the ‘best fit’ - in a manner of speaking- for the project. Wherever possible the developer can apply for the rating as further acknowledgment of the features incorporated. The rating definitely helps marketing the product and increasing the number of potential tenants /buyers. As the country gears up to develop 100 Smart Cities, What kind of opportunities do you foresee for your company? This is again the need of the country. The guidelines, laws have to be framed in detail for the same and if the industry leaders can be made part of the development panel, it would be more beneficial and stream lined.
Irfan Bandukwala, Project Incharge, Thane One shares his views with Sandeep Sharma about his company DIL Ltd, ThaneOne Business Park project, concept and design philosophy, challenges faced, sustainable design and construction and the latest realty trends in Thane. Edited Excerpts...
Tell us about your company, objectives and core competencies? DIL Ltd. (formerly Duphar-Interfran Ltd.) is a public listed company, with its footprints across Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Environmental solutions and other segments including Entertainment and Health & Wellness. Carrying along a rich and resplendent legacy of over six decades, DIL Ltd. today is a holding company led by a young and vibrant leader, Mr. Krishna Datla, who succeeds in infusing a youthful and forward-looking outlook across the group.
Could you provide us an insight about your innovative concept and design philosophy used in 'Thane One'? Thane One, iconic IT/ITeS Business Park is a DIL Ltd. venture built to the highest level of quality standards. Our concept was to provide a unique corporate and sustainable destination where people enjoy working. Our philosophy is reflected in our design with an emphasis on bringing energy efficiencies along with abundant green spaces, better air quality and open spaces for sporting / social activities.
What makes 'Thane One' project so special and unique? Thane One is the 1st LEED PLATINUM Pre Certified Business Park in Thane by the Indian Green Building Council. Our Architectural design has won "The Best Office Architecture, India” award for 2013 -14 at the Asia Pacific Property Awards for Architecture held in Malaysia.
Situated in a lush Green complex with multiple water bodies, Thane One offers unique corporate offices with landscaped terrace gardens, balconies and spectacular views. All facilities provided at Thane One are at par with International standards including Operational Efficiencies, Safety & Security.
Our strategic location offers easy access from all parts of Mumbai, Greater Mumbai and Thane through multiple modes of transport which is vital for improved employee satisfaction & retention and business success.
What are your views about sustainable design and construction? Increasing energy prices, stricter government regulations and an increasingly educated and affluent labor force has made sustainability an integral part in design and construction. The government has also acknowledged the benefits of a sustainable design and construction and has started making laws that make it mandatory for the industry to follow certain minimum norms. We constantly hear of innovation to make solar power generation cost effective and feasible for a larger number of projects. This is just one example of how sustainability is here to stay.
What are the latest realty trends emerging in the city of Thane? The corporate office space in the Eastern suburbs like Thane has been experiencing a surge in demand. Highly skilled working class population, superior infrastructure including improved road connectivity, abundant healthcare facilities, ample entertainment venues and lower rentals as compared to CBD are key factors for corporate to look out for office space in Thane. Thane, over a period of time has become the next best business destination to the commercial capital of India, Mumbai.
Being one of the fastest growing suburbs of Asia, Thane is a thriving business location attracting sectors like IT & ITeS, BFSI, and Consultants etc. into its fold. Taking into consideration factors like growing market sentiments, the new IT/ITES Policy 2015 and business opportunities, Thane has evolved as a preferred destination for Multinationals and Indian companies alike.
What kind of challenges have you faced in 'Thane One' project? Achieving a balance in construction cost & timelines while ensuring adherence to design and agreed quality standards.
What's your take on the supply and increase of building material prices in India mainly Cement? Being a LEED Platinum Pre Certified Business park, we are continuously evaluating alternate cost effective material options and execution methodologies which are now available, to overcome hurdles of supply and increase in building material prices.
What is the way forward for architects & builders fraternity to spearhead green building movement in India? Make the design follow minimum green features irrespective of application for rating and constantly evaluate costs capex and opex with the help of a design development consultant to get the ‘best fit’ - in a manner of speaking- for the project. Wherever possible the developer can apply for the rating as further acknowledgment of the features incorporated. The rating definitely helps marketing the product and increasing the number of potential tenants /buyers.
As the country gears up to develop 100 Smart Cities, What kind of opportunities do you foresee for your company? This is again the need of the country. The guidelines, laws have to be framed in detail for the same and if the industry leaders can be made part of the development panel, it would be more beneficial and stream lined.