2024 Winner
Category - Architecture - Commercial
Parmindarjit Kaur & Vijay Shankar Suryadevara
Dimensions
Dimensions is a Bangalore-based architectural practice led by architect Parmindarjit Kaur, who has been shaping contextual, nature-aligned, and emotionally resonant spaces since 2013. A graduate of BMS College of Engineering, Parmindarjit brings over a decade of hands-on experience rooted in the belief that architecture is a reflection of both people and place.
At Dimensions, the design philosophy revolves around creating spaces that mirror the values, identity, and lifestyle of their users—spaces that breathe with their environment rather than dominate it. The studio takes pride in crafting buildings that are not only functionally efficient but also deeply human, sensorially rich, and seamlessly integrated with their context.
Driven by a curiosity to learn and a passion to evolve, the team at Dimensions approaches every project as an opportunity to explore new ideas and deliver meaningful design solutions. From residential and commercial architecture to public and institutional work, Dimensions continues to push the boundaries of thoughtful design across scales.
Area: 19,000 sq ft
A Climate-Conscious Commercial Marvel at Benz Circle, Vijayawada
In the energetic heart of Vijayawada, where Benz Circle serves as a critical commercial and transportation junction, Dimensions has delivered a project that both respects and redefines its context. Chaganti Mercantile rises as a bold architectural intervention on the busy road to the airport, addressing not only the area’s demand for premium commercial space but also the need for climate-sensitive and standout design.
Designed for Business Flexibility
Set in one of Andhra Pradesh’s most expensive commercial districts, the project was conceived with a straightforward brief: create an open-plan commercial structure that could be easily leased or rented by a range of businesses. From showrooms and multi-brand stores on the lower levels to offices above, Chaganti Mercantile is a flexible space tailored to diverse business needs.
Façade as a Functional Sculpture
To combat Vijayawada’s extreme heat, the western façade is clad in custom-angled HPL panels that mimic the appearance of marine steel. These panels not only provide thermal regulation and diffused daylighting but also form a visually striking outer skin. As passers-by move past the building, the solid shell appears to deconstruct into slender vertical fins, creating a constantly shifting visual rhythm.
This kinetic quality turns the building into a dynamic object of intrigue, demanding a second glance from commuters, pedestrians, and prospective tenants alike.
Celebrating Local Craft with a Modern Twist
On the quieter southern elevation, the building features an imposing clay jaali wall in the Edan pattern, enveloping the stairwell that connects all five floors. This angular, terracotta-clad wall is not just a ventilated skin—it’s a cultural expression, honoring local craft traditions in a contemporary architectural language. Internally, it adds both thermal comfort and an atmospheric passage for vertical movement.
Smart Simplicity, Long-Term Value
The project’s material palette is intentionally restrained and composed of commonly available yet thoughtfully used elements—ensuring not just budget sensitivity but also long-term elegance and maintenance ease. The structure was designed to age gracefully, becoming more distinguished over time rather than outdated.
Chaganti Mercantile by Dimensions is more than just a commercial building; it’s a benchmark for responsive and refined architecture in one of India’s fastest-growing cities. Bold in form, smart in function, and rooted in context, it proves that even rental-driven commercial projects can aspire to—and achieve—architectural excellence.
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