The Crystal Hall: A Sustainable and Innovative Residential Interior

Integrating Sustainability and Social Responsibility

The Crystal Hall stands out for its unique properties and strengths. It seamlessly integrates sustainability by reusing materials and employing disadvantaged local talent. Glass, a modern material, is at the heart of this design. Contrary to popular belief, glass is among the most eco-friendly materials available. It can be recycled endlessly without any loss of quality or clarity. By incorporating glass, the Crystal Hall recreates bioclimatic conditions that tackle climate change. This design follows a minimalistic modern approach while drawing inspiration from classicism, all the while remaining culturally, emotionally, and ecologically conscious. The building also adheres to a zero-waste policy, making it an exemplary model of socially responsible design.

In terms of technology, the Crystal Hall combines an eclectic mix of glass, MS columns, and cast-in-situ concrete. The use of glass is particularly noteworthy. It is made from sand, one of the most abundant resources available, and can be endlessly recycled. This makes glass an environmentally friendly choice, surpassing materials like mud or stone. The Crystal Hall leverages glass to create bioclimatic conditions that address climate change while utilizing modern materials that are culturally, emotionally, and ecologically conscious.

The Crystal Hall spans a site area of 2322 square meters, with a building area of 835 square meters. Its gross area is 418 square meters. The design team, led by Thomas Abraham, also included Diana Jacil Prakash and Saad Pasha.

This design is not just about aesthetics; it is about how it interacts with its surroundings and users. The Crystal Hall embodies the concept of paleomodern design, where form follows feeling. It reintroduces beauty and pleasure into art, elements that were once universally valued but are now often seen as sentimental or commercial. The design incorporates square proportions, golden mean proportions, rhythm, scale, harmony, and local and climatological aspects. It seamlessly blends traditional design with a modern outlook, using avant-garde technology and materials.

The Crystal Hall was constructed in Bangalore, India, over a span of five years, from 2014 to 2019. Throughout the project, the architect ensured that every space reflected the client's religious, cultural, and geographical experiences. The design research behind the Crystal Hall focused on light, nature, and history. In addition to its sustainable features and use of local talent, the building incorporates the world's first residential windmill towers, a proprietary use of two layers of high-performance recycled glass, non-invasive vegetation species, thermal insulation technology, and rainwater utilization. This combination creates a glocal (global and local) building that is both environmentally conscious and culturally significant.

The Crystal Hall faced several challenges during its creation. Glass is often considered unsuitable for tropical climates, but the architect overcame this by using a double-layered glass system. One layer reflects longwave radiation, while the other reflects the sun's shortwave radiation, providing thermal insulation to the building. Additionally, the Crystal Hall is located in an area with an erratic power supply. To address this, the architect incorporated wind power generating towers that provide backup power during windy days. Excess power is stored in batteries and fed back to the city grid.

With its white walls and glassy interiors, the Crystal Hall creates a space that is uncluttered and minimalistic. All materials used in its construction were upcycled from excess materials, resulting in near-zero wastage. The design prioritizes thermal, visual, and aural insulation while remaining faithful to its aesthetic philosophy of connecting man and nature.

The Crystal Hall, designed by Thomas Abraham, is a testament to the power of sustainable and socially responsible design. It showcases how innovative materials and technologies can be combined with traditional design principles to create a harmonious and environmentally conscious living space.