Set within the cosmopolitan heart of Pune, Panchshil Avenue is a poised new addition to the vibrant Kalyani Nagar district. Lead designer Neha Doshi developed a scheme that celebrates both the exterior and interior, integrating light to elevate the visual aesthetic and infuse ambience into the building’s DNA.
The building’s crown features a curved, softly illuminated perimeter that lends the structure an understated landmark quality. On the façade, vertical metal fence are grazed with 3000K linear light, accentuating the texture and depth of the slatted surfaces. This measured approach ensures that the building appears elegant from a distance, while revealing layers of detail up close.
The surrounding landscape was treated as an extension of the architecture. A three-tiered garden is lit with warm 2700K LEDs that trace each level, creating a gentle play of light and shadow. The ambient water feature is illuminated with a cooler 4000K, adding contrast and depth. The lighting design also guides people through the space: carefully positioned bollards, poles, and LED lights highlight entry points, pathways, and planting without overpowering the night-time environment. Automated controls reduce light levels after midnight to conserve energy and minimise light spill.
Inside, the lighting design unfolds as a journey of layered ambience, accent, and decorative illumination. Visitors arrive in an open, textured reception, where soft wall-washing enhances surfaces and reflections. Shelving is animated with a blend of integrated lighting and decorative luminaires. Considered linear lighting runs from the lift lobby through to the corridors, creating rhythm and way finding with precision.
In the communal court, the lighting becomes more atmospheric and playful while retaining its sophistication. Large ring pendants form a central feature, creating a sense of connection with the circular motifs carried throughout the zones. The lighting philosophy emphasises integration: concealed fixtures reveal the grain of timber, the tactility of stone, and the softness of fabric—without distraction. Smart controls adapt the environment based on time of day and occupancy patterns.
During the day, 50% of the lights are switched off; in the evening, output gradually increases to 100% before shutting off again later at night. LED fixtures were specified throughout, at 3000k, exterior fittings were shielded to prevent glare, and lighting levels were calibrated to meet the local standards—200–300 lux in active zones and 100–150 lux on vertical surfaces. While the project was not required to meet formal sustainability standards, yet efficiency was embedded in every decision.
From the softly glowing crown to the smallest decorative pendant in the lobby, Panchshil Avenue’s lighting is as much about atmosphere as it is about function. Subtle, integrated, and responsive, the scheme leaves a lasting impression quietly elevating the architecture and enriching every visitor’s experience.
Photography © Hemant Patil Photography
—
