Design of India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India

Design of India Habitat Centre

Indian Habitat Centre is located in New Delhi, India. It was conceived to be a catalyst relationship between individuals and institutions that is, NGO’s working in habitat related areas to increase their effectiveness.

Architect of the India Habitat Centre

Joseph Allen Stein

Purpose of the Construction of Indian Habitat Centre

Indian Habitat Centre has been constructed for various activities apart for commercial purposes. It is a centre for cultural, economic and social activities. Dramas, plays are also organized at the centre. There is banquet hall and party lawn and also a Restaurant. Basically, it is open for public use also. . The Habitat Centre would be a home not only to those offices and research organizations but in order to facilitate their interaction, the centre provides a range of facilities like conference venues, exhibition halls, seminar rooms, restaurants and performance venues for cultural activities.

Design Concept of Indian Habitat Centre

The creation of a green and healthy environment forms the backbone of the complex. This contributes to the urban level functions and also creates a healthy and pleasant environment for the working employees.

The height of the building is around 30m high. The entire facade is cladded with red bricks which give a majestic look to the structure. Vertical and Horizontal ribbon windows have been used with a special glass that restricts the entry of sunlight.

The atrium of the structure is beautifully designed with various landscape features such as sculptures, green areas in the centres resulting in the formation of a roundabout in the atrium. The atrium is rectangular in shape and is divided into three parts. The middle one is left open whereas there is landscaped roundabout formation on its either sides.

Shading Devices

The reflectors are installed above the building to provide shade and prevent sun from entering into the building. The reflectors are aligned at an angle which reflect back 70% of the sunlight and change their angle during winter to allow sunlight to fall on the windows.

Construction Technique

Massive Steel girders have been for the construction purpose. The entire office block rests on the steel girders without any support of the columns in between the longitudinal plan.

Most of the horizontal ribbon windows have slots for plantation purpose which add to the beauty of the entire complex.

Several leading corporate entities and nonprofit organizations like The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Housing & Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO), National Housing Bank (NHB), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), International Labour Organization (ILO), etc. sharing a common concern for the ‘Habitat’, would come together to participate in this exciting venture of institution building. Habitat Centre is conceived to provide a physical environment which would serve as a catalyst for a synergic relationship between individuals and institutions working in diverse habitat related areas and therefore, maximize the total effectiveness.