Alkesh Gangwal & Associates

Located in the industrial landscape, outskirts of Pune, Maharashtra, “Sangam” (tr: Confluence) stands as a distinctive architectural intervention. This 3,300-square-foot canteen, for a pharmaceutical industry, creates a compelling dialogue through its mindfully chosen palette, balancing flexibility and endurance.

Breaking the Mold
The lunch hour represents one of the most vital breaks in an employee’s workday—a time for respite and social connection. The conception of Sangam deliberately creates a distinct shift from the typical and immediate industrial environment to provide this very break through its design and material choices.

“Two squares and a circle,” as described by the architect, defines the layout and indicates a clear spatial narrative as one approaches the building. The open-to-sky circular courtyard serves as an inviting entry point, breaking the uniformity of the rectangular forms on either side.

Materiality and Sustainability
The canteen’s program required seemingly contradictory qualities—durability to withstand industrial use alongside easy and adaptable modification potential. Sangam’s material palette resolves these demands while creating a rich visual and tactile experience.

Constructed with recycled bricks created from the construction debris, the load-bearing walls are bound with traditional lime mortar. This masonry not only anchors the structure firmly to its site but also embodies the solidity of Sangam.

In deliberate contrast, the dining halls feature polycarbonate walls and mild steel frameworks, seemingly floating above ground. The polycarbonate panels, 16 mm thick, offer superior insulation compared to the industry standard of 2-4 mm. PUF panel roofing completes this careful material composition.

This dialogue between masonry mass and steel frame lightness generates a sophisticated visual and architectural expression while clearly distinguishing between service cores and public spaces.