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, NGOs working in habitat
related areas to increase their effectiveness.

Architect of the India Habitat Centre

Joseph Allen Stein

India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India

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.

Green space in the atrium

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.

Blue coloured Reflectors at an angle - Shading Devices

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.

Horizontal and Vertical Window strips

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.