Living Steel ‘Restello’ breaks ground in India

Living Steel - the worldwide, collaborative programme designed to stimulate innovative and responsible housing design and construction worldwide – has announced that Restello, the winning design from their 2006 International Architecture Competition, has begun construction in Kolkata, India. The occasion was marked with a traditional ‘Bhumi Puja’ groundbreaking ceremony on 28th May 2010.

Selected as the winning design from an international field of 18 shortlisted entries, Restello is an innovative residential block comprising 12 luxurious boutique apartments and combines stunning design with a groundbreaking approach towards sustainability. The 3- and 4-bedroom apartments, 1124 and 1627 sq ft respectively, are designed with large, flowing, open-plan living spaces. The building’s exterior is wrapped in perforated steel shutters - designed to filter sunlight and provide natural ventilation - that fold back to reveal double-height terraces between the fa?ade and a second glazed ‘skin’.

Due to complete late 2011, Restello, India’s most modern steel residential project, will set a new standard for residential construction with steel that has good environmental benefits, not just throughout the developing area of Rajarhat in New Town, Kolkata (West Bengal), but throughout all of India. Each apartment will cost approximately €170,000, and are marketed towards the flourishing ‘high-income group’ of Indian workers and entrepreneurs capitalizing on the world’s second fastest growing economy.

“We’re delighted that the first of the Living Steel competition-winning designs is now on its way to being realised.” comments Scott Chubbs, Living Steel Programme Director. “The innovation and beauty of Restello has the capacity to help meet the demand for luxury housing in the rapidly expanding New Town. We have an outstanding team working on this project and it is through this collaboration with developer Bengal Shrachi, architects Piercy Conner, Tata BlueScope Steel and Tata Steel that we are able to bring this beautiful, groundbreaking building to life.”

Rahul Todi, Managing Director of Bengal Shrachi Housing Development Ltd, “Bengal Shrachi is extremely proud that the technological and aesthetic creativity of Restello is now part of our portfolio. We are confident that the project will set a new standard in residential construction within the area."