Project was completed with Paul Schulhof as a partner at Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects + Partners

Banyan Park, located on a 23-acre wooded site in Andheri, Mumbai, provides workspace for over 2,000 people, alongside a conference center, training facility, administrative offices, cafeteria, and recreation center. Commissioned for Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) by Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Group, the project was conceived as a model for building in a dense natural environment—one that respects the landscape and is sensitive to regional materials and craftsmanship.

To minimize the impact on the site and frame its natural beauty, a series of low-rise buildings were strategically placed to preserve nearly all 1,800 mature trees. A network of covered exterior walkways connects the buildings, providing shade from Mumbai’s intense heat and protection from the monsoon rains. Informal meeting spaces are integrated into these walkways, fostering collaboration and connection. Natural light filters into adjacent workspaces through multi-story courtyards, topped with large elliptical oculi that diffuse daylight. Spacious perimeter courtyards, landscaped with native plantings, offer ample waiting areas for the hundreds of visitors that pass through daily.

Ambitious sustainability goals were embedded throughout the design to reduce the environmental impact of the complex, optimize building performance, and enhance the campus’s self-sufficiency. The project achieved LEED Gold certification.

In collaboration with Somaya Kalappa Consultants of Mumbai, this decade-long project was an education in India’s rich architectural and craft traditions. All materials used were sourced from within India, emphasizing the regional character of the site.

Paul Schulhof served as the project lead and primary point of contact for all stakeholders, consultants, workers, and craftspeople throughout the project’s lifecycle. During the design and construction phases, Paul spent a total of six months in Mumbai, traveling between the site, local workshops, and consultant offices to ensure quality control and that design intentions were upheld through fabrication and construction.

Photographer: Michael Moran