INTRODUCTION

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CASE STUDY
India Habitat Centre (IHC) has been
conceived as an ideal physical
environment with a range of facilities,
that would maximize the effectiveness of
the individuals and institutions, in their
holistic support of the habitat.
The principal resolve of the Centre - "to
restore at every level - environment and
ecological - a balanced, harmonious and
improved way of life," is reflected in its
concept and design.
Symbol
The India Habitat Centre logo, an
amalgam of the divine archer Shiva,
juxtaposed
against the downward pointing triangle
that represents his consort Shakti,
symbolizes
the archetypal marriage of energies
projected in abstract form - a key to the
secret of
cosmic and universal harmony.

Spread over nine acres in the heart of

New Delhi, IHC has a built up area of
approximately one million square feet. It
incorporates innovative new
technologies in building management
systems, conference systems,
communication and energy conservation,
creating probably the most intelligent
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PROJECT DETAIL
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building in the country.
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Site : 9.6 acres

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The whole complex consists of five main Architect: Joseph

building blocks with aerial walkways Allen Stein
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interconnecting the building blocks.

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These building blocks being separated Ground coverage : 9549 sq.m

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manage to create interesting courtyards First basement : 18819 sq.m

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that are partially open to the elements. Second basement : 18819 sq.m
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Approx cost : 100 crores

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Parking : 1000 cars

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PLATE NO 2 VIEW OF INDIAN HABITAT CENTRE

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Human Settlement Management Institute
 LOCATION
The India Habitat Centre, located
CASE STUDY
in New Delhi, India, was conceived to be
a catalyst relationship between
individuals and institutions (e.g. NGO's)
working in habitat related areas to
increase their effectiveness. The
architect who designed the building
complex was Joseph Allen Stein.

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PLATE NO 3 ISOMETRIC PLAN OF INDIAN HABITAT CENTRE

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Human Settlement Management Institute
 Purpose of the Construction of Indian
CASE STUDY 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.
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.

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 rg
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and pleasant environment for the working
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employees. PLATE NO 4 INDOOR ENVIRONMENT

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The height of the building is around 30m

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high. The entire facade is cladded with red

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bricks which give a majestic look to the

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structure. Vertical and Horizontal ribbon

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windows have been used with a special

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glass that restricts the entry of sunlight.

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The atrium of the structure is beautifully

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designed with various landscape

features such as sculptures, green areas in
the centers resulting in the formation of a
roundabout in the atrium. The atrium is
rectangular in shape and is divided into PLATE NO 5 COURTYARD VIEW

PLATE NO 6 VIEW OF INDIAN HABITAT CENTRE

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Human Settlement Management Institute
 OBJECTIVES OF IHC Promote education, research, training
and professional development on
CASE STUDY

Develop an integrated physical habitat and human settlement and

environment in which various
professions and institutions dealing
with different facets of habitat and
habitat related environmental issues
would function, interact and attempt
to resolve habitat related problems in
a coordinated manner.
environment related issues.
Organise and promote conferences,
seminars, lectures, public debates and
exhibitions in matters relating to
habitat, human settlements and
environment.

Promote awareness in regard to

habitat related environmental issues
including water, air, noise and waste
pollution, energy and its conservation,
water and human waste management
and other such matters.
Promote better urban and rural
settlements relevant of the Indian
social, cultural and economic context
and related to the lifestyle of its
people.
Acquire, hold, improve and develop
lands and construct buildings and
related facilities on behalf of
members of the Centre.
Constitute or cause to be constituted
Regional Centres at convenient places
to promote the objectives of the
Centre
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To do such all other lawful activities
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as the Centre considers conducive to

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Inculcate better awareness and the attainment of all or any of the

above objectives.
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sensitivity in regard to all aspects of

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creative human activity including the

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significance of art in habitat.

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Document all relevant information

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pertaining to habitat, human

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settlements and environmental issues.

Advise and if needed, assist the

Government in the formation and
implementation of policies relating to
habitat, and human settlements.

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Human Settlement Management Institute
CASE STUDY

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PLATE NO 7 SITE PLAN

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ARCHITECTURAL SCHEME Orientation

The IHC is composed of variety of
functions which have been put together in
such a compact form. it has been planned
a series of four to seven story blocks with
shaded courtyards protecting from the
excesses of tropical climate and motor
traffic of adjacent heavily traffic
intersection .The various functions are
•RENTED OFFICES SPACE
•RESTURANT
•AMPHITHEATRE
•AUDITORIUM(537 SEATING)
•EXHIBITION HALL
•ART GALLERY
•FITNESS CENTRE
•CONVENTION CENTRE
•LIBRARY
• Building is designed with a view to keep
minimum exposure on the east and west
site.
• North block with number of openings
recessed behind two blocks to shade it
from NW sun.
• Eastern face conveys a fortress like
quality.
• Building width have been restricted to
15 mts enabling the interiors to be lit from
both sides

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Human Settlement Management Institute
 DESIGN REVIEW
CASE STUDY
• Though of an imposing nature, the
building complex manages to blend
in with its surroundings through its
natural embellishments. In keeping
with its habitat theme, the whole
complex has been generously
provided with natural greenery to
provide an undiluted experience of
open nature.
• The fountain just beyond the
second entrance serves purpose not
only by being spectacular, but also
by relieving the surroundings of the
heat.
• The interesting glass/steel
structure near the second entrance
provides natural light to the
underground parking area.
• The building’s two entrances are
not one and the same.
• The first entrance depicts a
seemingly long deep corridor.
• The second entrance seems to
hide the spacious courtyards.
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• The absence of roof gutters rids
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the complex of clutter. Instead,
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separations between walls that are
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lined with tiles facilitates the disposal
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of rain water.
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• The roof shading devices not only
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look spectacular in sky blue, but also
serve to block out the Sun’s rays.
• The external facade of the
Convention centre has a mundane
appearance which masks the open
inner space.
• The courtyards laden with various
types of vegetation from tall trees to
small shrubs create different spaces.
• The presence of an amphitheatre
also marks an interesting feature of
the complex.
• The area without the shading
devices is laden with grass lawns to
provide a different setting altogether.
Construction Technique
Massive Steel girders have been for
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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.
Energy Efficiency:
•The building stands out in energy
efficiency.
•The interesting blue sunshade
provided between the two buildings
in court helps to maintain the
environment and gives a cool effect.
•The trees also helps to maintain the
environment and gives the natural
effect. Trees are planted at very part
of the court.
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•Fountains makes the environment
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more cooler & gives a effect of
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lightness.
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•Allen stein planned the building in
such a way so that the maximum
part of the floor enjoys sunlight.
Universal Access:
Handicap car parking is provided,
plus railing is provided at very parts
of the building where needed.
Lift is provided from basement to the
terrace.
Emotions:
IHC serves different emotions at
different places.
Gate no.2 creates curiosity to a
person when stands in front of
the building.
Gate no.3 gives surprise when it
opens to a huge space.
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CASE STUDY

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PLATE NO 8 TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN

PLATE NO 9 AUDITORIUM PLAN 35

Human Settlement Management Institute
CASE STUDY

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PLATE NO 10 GROUND PLAN

PLATE NO 11 VIEW OF LAND SCAPE COURT

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Human Settlement Management Institute
CASE STUDY

PLATE NO 12 BASEMENT PLAN

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PLATE NO 13STRUCTURE PLAN

PLATE NO 14 LOWER BASEMENT PLAN

PLATE NO 15 SECTION 37
Human Settlement Management Institute
 INFERENCES
CASE STUDY

• The orientation and designing of
building of the building is done
keeping in mind the comfort of the
users and making it eco – friendly.
• The site is very pedestrian friendly
with a smooth pedestrian flow but one
gets confused about what is where.
There is problem of signages .
• The core system makes the
movement very rigid and makes the
connectivity between the blocks very
poor.
• The zoning of the functions have
been done according to existing
buildings around the site. Hence ,
responding to the surroundings.
• All the public activities are located
on the ground floor and semi public
and private activities are located on
the higher floors for smooth
functionality.
• All the parking has been provided in
the basement , except the VIP parking.
This keeps the surface free of traffic
movement.
• The complex is well serviced , with
major chunk of the services in the
lower basement and services are well
connected to the buildings through
cores.
• The articulation of the open spaces
is features that makes the IHC a
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distinctive and active public space in
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• The beautifully landscaped courts the city.

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and open spaces are well linked to

• There is focus on creating an
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each other and spaces seem to flow

improved climate environment by
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into each other.

introducing low energy climate
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• The complex has its own water controls.

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purification plant, making it even more

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• Passive solar techniques like using

INDIA HABITAT CENTRE

energy efficient.
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shading canopies which reflect the

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• Administration centre is located in unwanted radiation , keeping width of

the centre of the complex so that it is
easily accessible to all.
• Open spaces like amphitheatre make
the complex lively.
the court is equal to the height of the
building, makes the centre the energy
efficient.

• An important consequences of
combing the public spaces with offices
is the creation of informal activity
arrangement as may activity spaces
ensures that the campus is alive and
populated even after office hours.

• The convention centre has been

given a separate entrance so that it
does not interfere with other functions
even in case of an event.
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