The Coimbatore Club

Publications : Archdaily

The Coimbatore club was made up of an assortment of buildings that had come up in an organic fashion over a period of time.  The construction methodology of the buildings was also varied - using stone masonry, brick masonry, lime plastered walls, sloped roofs using steel trusses with terracotta tiles as roof covering and Madras terrace roofing.  On closer inspection, many of the buildings were found to be structurally unsafe.  GA Consultants, the structural consultant for the project analysed the structure and a systematic approach of demolition, reconstruction and restoration was formulated. 

Phase 1 comprised the construction of a new family bar and restaurant with a covered verandah that wrapped the building.  Phase 2 comprised the restoration of the colonial bar and the main lounge building and its porch.  In addition, the office, library and a wrap-around verandah that connected the old and the new buildings were also a part of this phase. 

The redevelopment design of the Coimbatore club involved the demolition of the dilapidated structures adjoining the main club building and the construction of a new lounge, family bar, library and administrative office. The marriage between parts of the existing club buildings and the new spaces was critical. The design revolved around retaining the traditional essence of the club in a contemporary space, with the use of steel, glass and engineered stone. 

The orientation of the existing club building is along the north-south axis. The proposal houses the family bar on the northern side; the administration and the library are placed along the south eastern corner, while the hotter western side is well shaded with covered walkways and verandas. 

The new engineered rough stone clad building weaves around the existing main club building, linking the colonial part with the contemporary times that we are a part of.  It mirrors a material that is prevalent in this region and has a timeless quality to it forming a strong link of continuity to the existing architectural  language.  The lightness of the steel structure with large glazed openings wash the interior spaces with adequate natural light. The rough stone walls envelope the steel structure which blends with the existing.  

The roof of the existing club building was restored and the new structures installed envelope the old colonial building through a complete cantilever design leaving the existing structure physically unaltered.

The overall design intervention redefines the functional aspects of the existing and amalgamates these spaces to be re-energised and better utilized. In the overall process of this intervention, the colonial allure of the building has been redeemed and stands proud within the embrace of the newer contemporary buildings around it.