Karle Town Centre

Every building should support an urban microcosm

Karle Town Centre

2016

Garden City of the 21st Century

According to economists, we are currently living in the ‘Indian Century’, and Bangalore – often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India due to its large number of information technology companies – finds itself at the epicentre of this rapid growth. Within this thriving tech hub, UNS has designed the new Karle Town Centre (KTC), a development that aims to define Bangalore locally and inspire the whole of India to ‘lead by example’ when designing future urban destinations.

description
team

Karle Town Centre enjoys a direct connection to the city’s ring road arterial and expanding metro lines. Positioned prominently next to the established Manyata Tech Park with scenic views over Nagavara Lake, it is designed to act as a natural magnet for people and activities in the urban panorama.

Urban stagnation is a global challenge that extends beyond India, evidenced by a continuous decline in central business districts over the last 20 years. The recurring question is: how do we attract talent, families, and investment back to the heart of these cities? UNS, in collaboration with Karle Town Centre, has created a solution to these challenges in the form of an Urban Branding Manual.

The Urban Branding Manual, developed by UNS for Karle Town Centre, analyses the detailed components of the design through a quantitative selective process.

It is built around three pillars:

· Garden: Celebrating Bangalore’s lush natural environment.

· Health: Promoting a brighter, healthier future.

· Culture: Supporting social and economic prosperity.

UNS’s masterplan avoids stagnation by turning each building into a thriving urban microcosm. While KTC is functionally driven by business and commerce, the programme mix provides an inviting and inspiring environment for working, living, and entertainment, ensuring activity on the site throughout the day and evening for residents, employees, and visitors alike.

The design reflects India’s cultural identity, incorporating a grand theatre, plazas, and amphitheatre-style staircases as meeting points. It prioritises health, security, and connectivity while respecting Indian traditions. A permeable layout blends pedestrian and vehicular movement, with underground roads reducing congestion and noise.

KTC’s architecture emerges from Bangalore’s green canopy as a series of contemporary buildings. The design integrates nature at all scales, from green façades to vegetative sky gardens, reinforcing Bangalore’s identity as the ‘Garden City of the 21st Century’.

Sustainability is central to the design, with strategies like thermal buffering, air filtration, and underground water retention zones. These measures enhance urban life while addressing challenges like the urban heat island effect and water shortages.

The design of the masterplan enhances the quality of urban life for Karle Town Centre’s occupants while preserving and enhancing the green character of Bangalore.