A Presentation on…
Contemporary Architecture
Delhi 1955-1970
Group Members
Priyanshu Singh
Rishabh Jain
Rishi Agrawal
A Presentation on…

Architectural Style
Architects
Period
Architecture of New Delhi Architecture
Before
Independence
Edward Lutyens
Herbert Baker
Neo-Classical Indo-
Saracenic
Towards
Independence
Ganesh Deolaikar
Shridhar Joglekar
R.I. Gehlota
Heavily by
Edward Lutyens
Herbert Baker
After
Independence
Habib Rehman
Achyut Kanvinde
International Style
inspired by
Walter Gropius
Frank Lloyd Wright
1960-1980
Shiv Nath Prasad
Joseph Allen Stein
J.K. Chaudhary
Inspired by Le
Corbusier & Louis
Kahn
1980-Till Now
Charles Correa
Kuldeep Singh
Raj Rewal
Romi Khosla
Free from any
Master’s influence,
based on social and
ecological solution
Architects & Their Style of
Different Period in Delhi

Leaders & their Ideologies
in Architecture
Features
Period
Model of Architecture
Architecture
Of India
Gandhi
Simple in form and
space, propogation
minimal and frugal
lifestyle
Tagore
Nationalism in spirit,
reflecting aristocratic
folk paradigm
Nehru
Based on Industrial
development, free
spirit, without any
refrence to past

The Background till Independence
1. New Delhi : Making of a Capital
New Delhi was Born at 2 o’clock on
12th December 1911 as King George V
proclaimed it to be India’s new
capital at his Grand Coronation
Durbar.
3.BuildingsoftheEra
Agreement between
The Secretary of
State in Council of
India
&
Edwin Landseer
Lutyens
and
Herbert Baker
On 11th November 1913
2. The Agreement
5. Major Architects of the Era
 Edwin Landseer Lutyens
 Herbert Baker
 W.H. Nicholls
 R.T. Russell
 John Wood
ParliamentHouse
These buildings used Cream And
Red Dholpur Sandstone From
Rajasthan, With The Red
Sandstone Forming The Base.
These buildings were based on
Imperial Style
4. Materials
ConnaughtPlace
Rastrapati Bhawan
India Gate
King George V Memorial
1929-1933
1967-1974
1936
10st Feb 1921-
12th Feb 1931
1921-1929
Central Secretariat

From Traditional to
Global image
From Government
led development to
Private developers
From Nehru Place to
Corporate parks
From Housing
colonies to
Apartment blocks
From sandstone and
Dholpur to Glass
facades
From the Mughal to
the British Imperial
to the present
Individual
statements in
Architecture
1931- New
Delhi Inaugurat
ed
At India Gate
1937-
Delhi Improve
ment Trust
Established
1947- Influx Of
500,000
Refugees To
The Capital City
1950- Birla
Committee
Appointed
1957- DDA
Established
1962- Master
Plan For DDA
Approved
1982- 9th Asian
Games Held.
Six New Stadia
And Seven
Flyovers
Constructed
1987- Master
Plan
For Delhi Updat
ed Upto The
Year 2001
Timeline of major
events in Delhi
The Tracking of
Post-Independence
Developments

Many buildings were added in the central part of New Delhi in by Habib Rahman, which gave central Delhi it’s
present character. Some of them are -
 The Post And Telegraph Building (1954),
 The Auditor And General Controller’s Office,
 The Indraprastha Bhavan,
 The WHO Building (1962)
 The Multi Storey Flats At RK Puram (1964) &
 The Patel Bhavan (1972-73)
Gropius And The International Style overwhelmingly influenced the younger architects of the period the influence of
the international style began to be widely evident in houses.
Walter Sykes George (1881-1962) was an English architect in the post Independence era. His major works are-
 St Stephens College (1941)
 Tuberculosis Association Building
The establishment of D.D.A. in 1957 involved in the design of public buildings and large-scale housing developments.
The design efforts of the Architects of the CPWD in New Delhi have made a major impression on the city. Some of the
buildings are -
 Vayu Bhavan
 Krishi Bhavan,
 Udyog Bhavan,
 Rail Bhavan
 Vigyan Bhavan
The Supreme Court was designed by Deolalikar in an Indo British Architectural Style as it is located in Lutyen's
complex. The plain cubical mass of a government conference hall, the Vigyan Bhawan, designed by RI Geholote
of the CPWD for large international conferences, uses elements from Buddhist, Hindu and Mughal architecture.
Architecture in 50’s (includes major Architects & their works during this period)
Habib Rahman
 The Post And Telegraph Building (1954),
 The Auditor And General Controller’s Office,
 The Indraprastha Bhavan,
 The WHO Building (1962)
 The Multi Storey Flats At RK Puram (1964) &
 The Patel Bhavan (1972-73)
Gropius And The International Style
Walter Sykes George
 St Stephens College (1941)
 Tuberculosis Association Building
The establishment of D.D.A. In 1957
The design efforts of the Architects of the CPWD in New Delhi
 Vayu Bhavan
 Krishi Bhavan,
 Udyog Bhavan,
 Rail Bhavan
 Vigyan Bhavan
The Supreme Court Deolalikar Indo British Architectural Style
Vigyan Bhawan RI Geholote

Thus, the modern style of architecture
designed by Joseph Allen Stein adapted to
varying geological and climatic conditions.
 Stein believed in using building materials in
their original form — like he never covered
stone with plaster.
 There is a strong relationship and harmony
between the immediate environment and
the buildings.
Design Features
 Interrelationships of site with landscape,
structure and materials; sun and shade.
 Horizontal and vertical Garden.
 Use of local material.
 Use of jali
 Use of courtyard. Blend of built and garden
that makes the space extended.
 Use of modern construction techniques.
 Shell geometries – Dome, Vault and factory
roof system
Joseph Allen Stein
10th April 1912–6th October 2001
The 60’s brought about the presence of Joseph Allen
Stein onto the Architectural scene of Delhi. He was an
American Architect. In 1952 he moved to India. He is
noted for designing several important buildings in India,
most notably in Lodhi Estate in Central Delhi,
nicknamed "Steinabad" after him.
‘Joseph Stein Lane’,
is the only road in Delhi named after an
Architect.
His works were based on American Empiricist
tradition
Architecture from 1955-70

American
International
School
Ford Foundation
Center
Indian International
Center
Triveni Kala
Sangam
Indian Habitat
Center
Mapping Stein’s Buildings
Steinabad
Australian High
Commission
Akshara Theatre

Design Concept-
Factors affecting Building layout-
 Large number of functions to be handled on
a small site.
 A high degree of flexibility provided for
various functions.
 Perfectly synchronized interior & outdoor
spaces having provision with the clarity in
the functioning of each and every space
Music Rooms
Dance Rooms
Art Galleries
Open Landscaped
Courtyard
Cafeteria
Semi-open Art Gallery
Triveni Kala Sangam 1955-1976

Audi Entry Main Entry Service Entry
Galleries
4 Different Galleries-
 Triveni Kala Sangam House
 The Shridharni Gallery
 Triveni Gallery
 Sculpture Court & Art Heritage

Clad reinforced concrete frame structure with several infill materials –
 Jaali panels along the classroom block, corridor and stairs,
 Concrete block with a plastered finish and
 Rough-cut stone facing presented to the street.
Materials

Design Concept-
Dr. Deshmukh invited Joseph Allen Stein to
be the architect of the Centre’s building.
What Stein created here is best expressed in
his own words –
‘There was an attempt to create something
which depended upon simplicity and
relationships rather than things. So this is not
a five-star appearance in marble and granite.
But it is a place where a certain kind of
relationship exists—between the garden and
the building and the water and the earth and
the sky, and the learning and activities that
take place and the things that happen...’
 IIC facilities for a variety of artistic and
scholarly activities, conference and
symposia organized by nation and
international groups.
 The center's 18600 square meter (4.6
acres) site at Lodi estate was designed.
 so that The grounds of the IIC and
adjacent Lodi gardens could function as
one entity.
Indian International Center 1959-1962

The Centre is composed of Stein’s characteristically
individually Articulated blocks –
 46 guest rooms,loungeand dinning room in one,
 Programmed blocks of library and offices,
 Domed Auditorium are all grouped around two
great courts,
 Connected by porticoes and ground level and
rooftop verandahs.
Planning

Courtyards & Building Details
View From The Rear Gardens To The
Centre Court
Verandah Under The Guestrooms ‘Delhi’ blue glazed
ceramic jaalis between
guest rooms
Jaali screening guestrooms at entry court-
fireclay tile and steel pipe jaalis facing out
Accordion Window Wall
Steel framed accordion window wall which when folded away
transforms the whole space and its balcony extension into a
deep verandah.

Ford Foundation Headquarters 1968
 The Ford Foundation Established An Office
In India In 1952 At The Invitation Of Prime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
 It Was The Foundation's First Office Outside
The United States And Remains One Of The
Largest Of The International Field
Operations
Originally built for to house the Ford Foundation
Headquarters in India, the building is currently
used by the United Nations Development
Program (UNDP). It is part of a complex of
buildings designed by American Architect
Joseph Allen Stein on the Lodi Estate.

Australian High Commission, Later in 50’s
Using local materials and with an
understanding of the harsh Delhi climate,
this house relates to the lush green
landscape in which it sits.
Open stone jalis or perforated screens,
combine with large expanses of glass in a
way that respected both traditional
knowledge and modernist principles.
Akshara Theatre, 1972
Designed By Poet,
Director Gopal Sharman
Built By Stein.
Human Scale Of The
Buildings, Makes It Best
For Bringing Human
Environment
- J.A. Stein
View of Australian High
Commission

American International School 1962
Conical Steel Lattices At
Classroom
The Folded Shell Of The Steel
Lattice Vaulting At The Classroom
The American International School in
Chanayakyapuri, India, is an independent,
co-educational day school which offers
an educational program from
prekindergarten through Grade 12. The
school was founded in 1962.
American International
School (1962-68) comes
more out of the
American Empiricist
tradition than the
European Rationalist
and its concern for
orthogonal geometry
particularly in the
sitting of buildings.

Industrial Building For Escorts Limited , 1988
The Building features four different shell
configurations-
• Barrel vault lattice shell, Escorts plant I (1962)
• Hyperbolic parabolic lattice shell, for Escorts II plant
(1964)
• Concrete domes for storage facilities (1965)
• Octagonal steel lattice domes, For plant at Surajpur
(1988)

“A building becomes architecture when
it not only works effectively but moves
human soul.”
H. Rahman
H. Rahman
1953-1974

Dak Tar
Bhawan
Sardar Patel
Bhavan
Rabindra
Bhawan
WHO
Headquarters
R.K. Puram
Flats
Mapping Habbib’s Buildings
Steinabad
Indraprastha
Bhawan
Vikas Minar
DDA Headquarter
AGCR Building

Rabindra Bhawan
 Rabindra Bhawan Is Designed With Great
Harmony Of Distinct Architectural Style And
Aesthetics; All Came Together At One Place.
 Each Block Of The Bhawan Is Distinct In
Form, Layout And Articulation, Most
Appropriate For Its Individual Functions.
 For Rabindra Bhawan, Rahman Moved Out
Of The Bauhaus Style And Its Severe
Rationalist Mould. Instead He Created And
Interconnect Structure Free From Groupies'
Box Shapes And The Bauhaus Factory
Aesthetics.
 Rahman Described His Building In The
Interview Of Inside Outside Magazine In
Year 1987 By Saying ”Rabindra Bawan Was
The First Building Where I Could Free Myself
From The Influence Of Walter Gropius And
Oscar Niemeyer. This Building Belonged To
India. Here I Used Traditional Indian
Element Such As Chhajjas, Jaalis And
Overhanging Roofs. It Was The First
Functional Building That Gave Me Aesthetic
Satisfaction. Maybe It Was Rabindranath’s
Artistic Genius That Inspired Me To Give An
Emotionally Moving Quality To The
Building.”

 Basic layout of the building having service
core in the centre and functional space
around.
 Grid system for structure with moulds of 12ft
in longer span and 25ft in shorter span.
 The building is divided in three major blocks;
Administrative Building, Exhibition Gallery
And Theatre.
 Administrative Block, which is the biggest of
all, is chosen in ‘y’ shape to cover the most
area on the site.
 Other two blocks are placed according to
interrelation with the respective wing of the
Admin Block.
 Huge landscape has been provided between
the Theatre and Administrative Block.
Planning

Material
 A combination of concrete dome and jaali is
used to cover the central shaft of the lift and
staircase.
 Use of composite structure for the
construction of the admin block.
 He has used brick masonry load bearing walls
with the combination of R.C.C. Column, beam
and slab.
 ‘End wall of each wing is constructed out of
rubble stonework with concrete jaali in the
middle of the wall.
 The windows area made out of steel frame
and glass filters, chajjas and dome above the
central core are built out of reinforced
concrete.

R. K. Puram Housing
 In the time of 60’s, the necessity for multi-
storied dwelling arose from rapid
urbanization of Delhi due to population
explosion.
 Sector-13 consist of two type of apartment
named type-V and type-VI.
 Type-V block are ‘T’ shaped and type-VI
blocks are ‘Y’ shaped in plan so as to allow
maximum radial bifurcation of each wing and
at the same time to enable all wings to be
served by common lifts, staircase and service
shaft.
 Each apartment tilted in relation to the
existing road to give the best possible non-
obstructive view to maximum number of
rooms in each block, a feeling of openness
with good air and light with considerable
privacy fo each flat.
 Pure geometry is used in building forms.

 Large distance between the blocks to get the
enough privacy.
 Basic layout consist of service core in the
centre and three wing around. For the
individual apartment transitional space in the
middle and rooms on both the side.
 Grid system for building structure, where
dimension of the grid is according to the
functional requirement.
 Arrangement of the function according to the
position of the Sun throughout the day.
 Layering and allotment of the functions
according to the hierarchical order.
 Use of R.C.C. in the framework of the
structure and use of brick as filler walls.
 Use of jaalies and chhajjas as the means of
weather protector.
Planning & Material

Akbar Bhawan
(Ministry of External Affairs)
Shri Ram
Towers
Mapping Prasad’s Buildings
Steinabad

Shivnath Prasad
Like many young Architects during India's
independence, Shivnath Prasad was keen to change
the language of Architecture to reflect the emerging
nation. Along with Le Corbusier’s presence,
Modernism manifested in India and the works of
Prasad found centre stage. His work was climatically
sympathetic with a strong Modern aesthetic of bare-
faced concrete with deep recesses to handle the
Indian environment.
Influence of Le Corbusier
He was a complete Corbusier without ever having met
or studied with Corbusier.
On the contrary some sources say that he has assisted
Le Corbusier in Chandigarh before he started to work
in Delhi.
Shri Ram Tower
Akbar Hotel

Akbar Hotel
Surviving examples of Prasad’s work includes Akbar
Hotel (1965-69). now offices of the Ministry of External
Affairs, and renamed Akbar Bhavan.
 Akbar Hotel was heavily drawn on the layout of
Unite de Habitation at Marseilles (1952) &
Secretariat building Chandigarh (1953).
 It’s a thirteen storey concrete slab building. Design
of this building is drawn heavily on the layout of
Corbusier’s Unite de Habitation Marseilles and also
it resembles to secretariat building of Chandigarh.
This building can be referred as the typical example of
brutalism architecture of Le Corbusier with very linear,
fortress like and blockish form.
Unite de Habitation
Marseilles
Akbar Hotel

 Heavy massing
 Sculptural use of concrete can be spotted.
 A service floor in the hotel building echoes that of
a shopping floor for Unite de Habit which divides
the bedroom area above from the common rooms
below.
 A two storey curvilinear block juts out at the base ,
echoing the form of the Millowners Building in
Ahmedabad.
 It houses restaurants and lounges and other
recreational spaces.
 Like the Unite de habitation, the roof has
"communal facilities"- in this case, a restaurant,
garden and small open air theatre.
Akbar
Hotel
Millowners Building in Ahmedabad
Planning & Material

The Shri Ram Centre, which Prasad designed almost at
the same time as Akbar Hotel was for a private trust
that promotes dance, drama and theatre. It can be
regarded as an example of work resulting from the
second phase of Le Corbusier’s influence.
 This building expresses, through Architectural
form, the variety of functions the building is to
house.
 For instance, the theatre is in a cylindrical form and
the rehearsal spaces are in the form of a
rectangular mass.
 The building is unique in its architecture: Its base is
shaped like a cylinder on top of which sits a
horizontal rectangle.
 The ground floor and first floor are within the
cylindrical half of the building.
Shri Ram Center Shri Ram Tower
cross section

 Its auditorium on the first floor - The Shankar Lal
Murli Dhar Auditorium - is designed for theatre
music performances.
 The auditorium, which boasts of a proscenium
stage, has a seating capacity of about 556 people
at two levels.
 The main hall seats around 403 and the balcony
seats around 153 people.
 There are two cylindrical blocks (canteen and
some offices) placed on the left side rising up to a
lower height than auditorium.
 Green rooms are in a separate block placed to the
backside of the main building connected to stage
via staircase.
It can be regarded as an example of second phase of
Le Corbusier's influence, rather than copying design
patterns of masters work.
In a true rationalist manner Prasad explored the use of
pure geometric forms cylinder and cuboid to create a
piece of sculpture.
Planning & Concept

References
 Volume 18 - Issue 23, Nov. 10 - 23, 2001, India's National Magazine from the publishers of “THE HINDU”
 New Delhi: Making of a Capital by Malvika Singh & Rudrangshu Mukhrjee.
 http://www.virtualtourist.com
 http://archnet.org
 http://slideshare.com