E

Project Dam
Architect: Raj Rewal. Structure: Engineers India Ltd. Builder: Tarapore & Company. Architect & Urban Design Consultants: Raj Rewal Associates. Architectural Assistants: Arvind Mathur, Suresh Verma, Akshay Jain, Rajiv Gupta, Divya Kush , Anil Sharma, Anita Dhar, Mukul Jha, Avtar Singh, VK.Jain. Client: Engineers India
(E.I.L.).

Engineers India House, New Delhi

The aim was to create an airconditioned office space which would have the least possible initial outlay and subsequently minimum running expense. The studies of existing offices of E.LL. revealed that work spaces with a floor depth of 24.6 metres between windows should be acceptable and reduce substantially the energy loads. It was also decided to face larger parameter of the building north-south and further use the structural elements of the cores and floor overhangs to create micro-climate. The end result is that the cost of airconditioning in E.LL. building is about 50% of similar buildings in Delhi. It may be said that the form of the building is derived from the point of view of saving energy. The structural cores are designed in such a manner that they also serve the dual purpose of cutting down harsh glare from south-west and three fourths of the slabs are under shadow during the day. The sliding of floors within the cores and extended to the east and west end of the building create a zone of surface under shadow reducing temperature. The structural cores along with extended floors form a giant sunbreaker. The E.LL. House is entered on the
The Engineers Inaia House and its surroundings seen from the west.

Structure: E.I.L. led by C.P. Lahiri. Air Conditioning: vc. Pranjpe. Lifts: P. Khandge. Electrical Equipment: KC. Gupta, Mahesh Chand. Contracts: T. V Sitaram, C.c. Dore, Bindoo Madhav. Electrical Consultants: Kanwar Krishen Associates. Sanitary Consultant: s.c. Deolalikar. Project Management: KC. Rao, H.S.C. Swamy, S.K Duggal, C.S. Mann, Satish Murgai, R. Arora, R.K. Garg, R. Sehgal. Electrical Contractor: Bharat Electrical. Plumbing Contractor: Gupta Bros. Fire Protection: Vijay Fire Protection (P) Ltd. HVAC: Kirloskar Pneumatic Ltd. Completion: 1983.

ngineers India House forms part of the commercial district centre at Bhikaiji Cama Bazaar, New Delhi. Raj Rewal was awarded the first prize for this prestigious centre in a two stage competition organised by the M.inistry of Works for the layout plan and architectural control for a 14 hectares site, comprising 220,000 square metres of shops and offices. Engineers India building is the first major office to be constructed within the discipline of Bhikaiji Cama Bazaar. It houses the administrative, design, draughting, financial and public relation offices of a public sector organisation dealing in design consultancy for industry and technology in India and abroad. The concept is based on four cores on the comers containing lifts, staircases and services, resulting in a large hall in the middle for flexible office planning. These cores also form major structural elements and along with four central shear walls support an average office floor of 54 metres X 24.6 metres. The long spans and cantilevers expressed on the facade create the appropriate image for an engineering concern. The office floor slabs are stepped one above the other to provide overhangs on the south side, protecting the building from sun and creating space for roof terraces on the north.

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T ext compiled by the editors. Photographs courtesy o J the architect unless otherwise indicated.

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Cutaway axonometric rendering.

ground floor directly from the road by car and has two levels of parking underneath. Pedestrians enter the upper ground floor by means of external steps or directly from the future plaza. The central part of the entrance has a height of 10 metres and gives access to the mezzanine at three levels providing changing views of information and exhibition spaces. The lifts and staircases are provided on two ends of the hall to separate the morning rush hour crush as well as to provide two distinct zones for fire escape. The structure of insitu reinforced concrete diagrid is exposed internally and the ribs on the roof slab form a ceiling pattern incorporating lighting panels and air conditioning ducts. The shear walls and structural cores are clad, externally and internally with 2.5 centimetres thick beige sandstone. The texture and tonal variations of stone create a rich surface externally. However, the internal stone cladding is polished to harmonise with flooring and teakwood panelling. The partition within the halls are demountable and vary according to the functional requirements of typical floors. The lower two floors are used as public relation offices and contain exhibition space and small conference rooms. The building is 52.5 metres high and has a total floor area of 18,200 square metres and can accommodate 1800 persons .

Ceiling plan ofthefirst.floor.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

air handling unit gents toilet ladies toilet electrical room passenger lifis service lifi

A typical.floor plan. Perspective section of the building.

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Left: View of the north facade with main entrance (left) and the west facade. Top: Detail of the main entrance. Above: Detail of the exteriorfaced with local stone. Right: An exterior terrace on the south facade. Photograph: Harpreet Singh.

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Lift: Main entrance lobby. Below: Upper level of the main entrance lobby.

Above, left: Open office space on an upper floor . Above: A conference room. Photographs: Harpreet Singh.

Raj Rewal studied in England and worked in Paris bifore opening a practice in New Delhi in 1963. He has won numerous competitions including the Asian Games Housil1g (see MIMAR 7), and previously taught at the Delhi School ofArchitecture.

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