Surface Design Awards – Complete

• COMMERCIAL BUILDING - INTERIOR
  Commercial Buildings that are used for commercial purposes, and include retail, hospitality, workplaces, factories and warehouses and buildings where commercial services are provided. At least 50 percent of the buildings’ floor space will be used for commercial activities.
• LIGHT + SURFACE - INTERIOR 
  The innovative use of light and the way it is inextricably linked to surfaces, whether it’s the effect the light has on the surrounding surfaces or the materials used to create the light. 

The Excella Experts Experience Center in Worli, Mumbai, is an exemplary project that embodies innovation, design excellence, and sustainability. Completed in an impressive 80-day timeline, with a budget of 70 lacs, this project is a testament to efficient execution and meticulous planning.

The Experience Center is conceived to fill a void left by the absence of in-person experiences since the pandemic, especially for those driven by travel and exhibitions. It houses an extensive range of international products for the building industry in India, providing end-to-end design solutions for homes and offices. Its strategic location in Worli, Mumbai's furniture hub, and a vast 3,500-square-foot space offer visitors a comprehensive and immersive experience.

The design creates an adaptable "shell" that elevates the showcased items while accommodating the changing apparel of exhibitions. Drawing inspiration from international exhibits of luxe products, the centre combines Art Deco and industrial aesthetics to create an engaging and dynamic interior. It spatially zones areas to replicate real living spaces, enabling visitors to experience materials and objects in their intended context.

The project's adaptability to changing external scenarios, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, is evident in its layout, prioritising streamlined circulation and fluidity while maintaining a dynamic and ever-transforming environment. This adaptability is a crucial aspect of the project's design, aligning with the evolving needs of the post-pandemic world.

The Excella Experience Center's design and execution emphasise integrating services seamlessly. Grids and magnetic tracks facilitate the flexibility of services, offering a versatile environment where opulence and illumination can be expanded or altered as needed.

The choice of materials in the Excella Experts Experience Center is functional and aesthetic, contributing significantly to its unique character. The project highlights using exposed cement concrete, Italian material top-flex, and solvent-free water-based material panels.

Exposed cement concrete, known for its cooling properties and durability, forms a significant part of the project's surfaces. It offers a visually appealing yet neutral background that allows building materials and pieces to stand out, enhancing the overall aesthetics.

Italian material top-flex, a 3mm layer applied to the existing flooring, is a crucial choice that provides a seamless appearance and ensures the easy mobility of heavy furniture pieces. This feature facilitates the efficient alteration of product mock-ups, aligning with the project's adaptability.

The solvent-free, water-based material panels used for the inner shell of the Experience Center demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Certified by the European Council, these panels offer durability, hardness, and elasticity while being 100% organic. Due to their water-based properties and components, the pigmented coatings applied to surfaces are also classified as green materials.

These materials were selected for their functional attributes and their ability to enhance visitors' sensory experience. The combination of materials contributes to the unique aesthetics and sustainability of the space.

The surfaces applied in the Excella Experience Center should be considered for the Surface Design Award because they showcase innovation in material selection and application, resulting in a one-of-a-kind visually striking, functional, and sustainable environment. The choice of materials aligns with the project's design intent and enhances the overall user experience.

The Excella Experts Experience Center prioritises sustainability in its design and materials selection.

This achievement is primarily attributed to the use of solvent-free, water-based material panels that are 100% organic and certified by the European Council. These panels contribute to a healthier indoor environment and reduce the project's carbon emissions.

Additionally, choosing exposed cement concrete for certain surfaces enhances energy efficiency by providing a cooling effect, reducing the need for air conditioning. This sustainable approach aligns with environmental conservation goals and contributes to reduced energy consumption.

The project's commitment to green materials, efficient resource use, and adaptability to changing external scenarios underscores its dedication to sustainability. The Excella Experience Center sets a commendable example for environmentally conscious surface design.

During the planning and execution of the Excella Experts Experience Center, several key challenges related to surface selection and application were successfully addressed:

1. Short Timeline: One of the primary challenges was the tight timeline for completing the project within 80 days. The choice of Italian material top-flex for the flooring played a pivotal role in expediting the project, as its application allowed for quick and seamless installation.

2. Adaptability to Changing Scenarios: Designing a space that could adapt to changing external scenarios, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, posed a significant challenge. The layout and surface selection are needed to ensure a dynamic and safe environment. Back-lit polycarbonate panels that mimic daylight addressed this challenge by enhancing positivity and productivity throughout the space while maintaining a flexible and adaptable design.

3. Sustainable Material Selection: The project successfully navigated this challenge by opting for solvent-free, water-based material panels and pigmented coatings that met green material criteria. These materials contributed to sustainability and enhanced the overall visual appeal of the centre.

4. Integration of Services: Integrating various services seamlessly within the design, including lighting solutions, sliding shutters, and furnishings, required meticulous planning. Using grids and magnetic tracks helped overcome this challenge, ensuring maximum integration and flexibility for services.

5. Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: Achieving a balance between the surfaces' aesthetic appeal and functionality was an ongoing concern. The project's choice of exposed cement concrete as a material contributed to both the visual appeal and the cooling effect of the space, effectively addressing this challenge.

The Excella Experts Experience Center represents a remarkable fusion of design, innovation, and sustainability. Its efficient execution within a tight timeline, combined with the choice of materials and surfaces that enhance aesthetics, functionality, and environmental consciousness, makes it a standout project in the realm of surface design. This project inspires those seeking to create adaptable, sustainable, and visually appealing spaces, and it deserves recognition for its contributions to the field.