Fact File
Location: Kerala
Size: 1090 sq m
Principal Architect: Mohammed Afnan and Arun Shekar
Photographs by: Justin Sebastian

Paddock by Humming Tree is a sustainably crafted car showroom and workshop in Kerala (Pete’s Automotive Products Pvt. Ltd.). Apart from the witty wordplay in the name, the distinct design approach fascinated us. One floor of the 360 square meter space is entirely dedicated to car displays, while the other houses the manager’s cabin and back office. Lime plaster was selected as a contextual response that not only complemented the designers’ aesthetic but also enhanced the strength and economic efficiency of the structure. A unique take on the banality of most contemporary glass and metal car showrooms, Paddock features architectural detailing that resonates with the automotive theme. A wooden geometric reception table is offset by the double-height, whitewashed exposed brick wall, while the triangular Flexi-light ceiling breaks the visual uniformity of the rectangular chamber.

Low-level ventilation louvres around the edge of the showroom, along with chimney-style ventilation terminals mounted on the roof, ensure that wind pressure draws air through the showroom up through the roof terminals through the “stack effect”—thereby cooling it with no harmful emissions. Apart from the absence of noisy machinery and the facilitated circulation of fresh air and natural light, rainwater has been recycled using ground-source pumps. Natural lighting (68%) and low-wattage luminaries (both fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps) have also been widely utilized. Subtle alterations in the visual hardness of the materials ensure that the black metal straight line works harmoniously to create texture and contrast. Standard high-base 400-watt lamps have been replaced with four 54-watt lamps, which provide the same amount of light but use less energy. Occupancy sensors have been installed and automatically turn off the lights in their area after a few minutes of no-movement detection.