Surat, India, Unveils Largest Office Building in the World: The Surat Diamond Bourse
Surat, a city in Gujarat state, India, has recently introduced its record-breaking building, the Surat Diamond Bourse. The building is designed to house the city’s massive diamond industry, which cuts around 90% of all the world’s diamonds. With an impressive 15-story complex spread across more than 35 acres of land, it is being touted as a “one-stop destination” for over 65,000 diamond professionals including cutters, polishers, and traders.
The Surat Diamond Bourse, with its nine rectangular structures connected by a central “spine,” encompasses over 7.1 million square feet of floor space, surpassing the Pentagon as the largest office building in the world. After four years of construction, the project is set to welcome its first occupants in November, following Covid-related delays. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Gujarat native, is expected to officiate the building’s opening later this year.
Newly-released photos provide a glimpse inside the sprawling complex, showcasing marble floors, light-filled atriums, and over 4,700 office spaces that can double as small workshops for cutting and polishing diamonds. The development cost approximately $388 million and features 131 elevators, as well as dining, retail, wellness, and conference facilities for workers.
According to Mahesh Gadhavi, the project’s CEO, the Surat Diamond Bourse will save thousands of people from traveling long distances to Mumbai by train for their daily business activities. He believes the relocation of businesses to Surat provides a “better option” for diamond professionals.
The building’s design was conceptualized by Indian architecture firm Morphogenesis, following an international design competition. While surpassing the Pentagon in size was not initially part of the competition brief, Gadhavi states that the project’s scale was influenced by demand, as all offices were purchased by diamond companies prior to construction.
Morphogenesis aimed to create a “level playing field” for businesses within the building, ensuring convenient access to amenities and facilities for occupants. The offices are connected by a central corridor, resembling an airport terminal, with no office taking longer than seven minutes to reach from any of the building’s entry gates. The architecture firm’s co-founder, Sonali Rastogi, describes the design as “democratic” and intended to make working conditions similar for everyone.
The design also takes into account the unique characteristics of the Indian diamond trade. The building features nine courtyards, each measuring 1.5 acres, with seating and water features that serve as meeting places for traders. These landscaped areas are reminiscent of traditional bazaars, acknowledging that many business transactions occur outside the office environment.
Surat Diamond Bourse’s future surroundings may change if plans for a major redevelopment known as “Dream City” come to fruition. The ambitious project aims to build a “smart” city across almost 1,730 acres of south Surat. The diamond hub would serve as an “anchor tenant” for the area, and Morphogenesis is already discussing potential projects in the region, including a convention center.
Sustainable design was central to the development of the Surat Diamond Bourse. The architects focused on reducing energy consumption, with the design consuming up to 50% less energy than the maximum permitted to earn a “platinum” rating from the Indian Green Building Council. The flared shape of the building’s central spine helps channel prevailing winds through the structure, while “radiant cooling” circulates chilled water under the floors to reduce indoor temperatures. Additionally, around half of the building is cooled using natural ventilation, and solar energy powers the common areas.
The Surat Diamond Bourse marks a significant milestone in the global diamond industry and positions Surat as a major player in the sector. With its grand scale, inclusive design, and focus on sustainability, the building is set to revolutionize the diamond trading landscape in Surat and potentially inspire future developments in the city.