CEAT Chennai Masterplan
Beyond Design led the place identity and vision masterplan for CEAT’s flagship manufacturing facility in Chennai, reimagining the 163-acre industrial site as a future-ready campus that balances production excellence with people, place and long-term sustainability.
Size
163 acres
Location
Kanchipuram
Status
Outline Masterplan
Category
learning / working / making
Developed in collaboration with CEAT, Concept Culture and Rumi Bose, the masterplan moves beyond a purely functional factory model to establish a cohesive environment for working, learning and community life. The vision positions the plant not only as a centre of manufacturing, but as a destination that reflects CEAT’s heritage, innovation culture and commitment to social responsibility.
Rooted in the rich craft traditions of Kanchipuram, the concept of a “Woven Legacy” informs both the narrative and spatial strategy. Threads of landscape, movement and shared spaces are woven through the site to connect people, buildings and nature, creating a more open, legible and human-centred workplace that strengthens identity and belonging across the campus.
The masterplan introduces a series of targeted interventions across arrival, welfare, innovation and production zones. Pedestrian-first green corridors, upgraded R&D and training facilities, enhanced social infrastructure and improved manufacturing environments are combined with smaller “industrial acupuncture” moves — shaded walkways, gathering spaces, planting and wayfinding — to improve everyday experience while maintaining operational efficiency.
Sustainability and community integration sit at the core of the approach. Passive environmental strategies, biodiversity-led landscaping, renewable energy systems and water-sensitive design are embedded alongside healthcare, childcare and recreation facilities, strengthening CEAT’s relationship with its workforce and neighbouring villages and positioning the plant as both an economic and social anchor within the region.
Delivered through a phased framework to ensure uninterrupted operations, the masterplan provides a clear path for growth, capacity expansion and long-term adaptability.
The result is a resilient and future-facing campus that celebrates CEAT’s legacy while setting a new benchmark for manufacturing environments in India.
