Surface Design Awards – Complete

• PUBLIC BUILDING - EXTERIOR
  Public Buildings used by the public for any purpose, such as assembly, education, entertainment, government, healthcare, transport or worship. This will also include civic centres, community centres, libraries, visitor centres, culture, health + wellbeing, faith, education, sports venues and stadia, transport, central + local government, entertainment and event venues.

The only premise missing from the recognition of Central Delhi’s East Kidwai Nagar as a Smart City was the obvious lack of an exhibition center. The Ministry of Urban Housing and Development roped in Sthapati to execute this institutional monument.
East Kidwai Nagar emerged as a mixed-use smart city plan in Central Delhi in 2019 with the aim of lessening New Delhi’s chronic housing shortage. The Ministry of Urban Housing and Development has delegated the master planning, design and implementation of this mixed-use smart city’s upcoming exhibition centre to Sthapathi. Sthapathi’s vision includes designing sustainable solutions for a changing world that leaves a lasting impact on communities and the environment.
In order to maximise footfall and leverage sales volumes, the project has been strategically located on the main Ring Road in New Delhi, along the central axis close to AIIMS, which connects Delhi to major centers such as South Extension commercial center, NDMC precinct and the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Indian summers are hot, but Delhi’s temperatures can soar unbearably during the season. Sthapathi executed the futuristic build’s intricate, latticed GRC Jali façade inspired by a character typical to Lutyen’s Delhi. Indirect light seeps into through the building’s veneer, shielding visitors from Delhi’s blazing summer sun, making mechanical ventilation a lesser imperative.
Since the surrounding urban fabric is a very dense settlement, The three-storey structure’s surreal elevation design seems to make the building levitate. The novel design ensures porosity and a visual connection across the two sides of the exhibition center, making it a guaranteed conversation starter in the gentrifying neighbourhood. Also, considering the venue’s hectic event calendar, a giant built-in LED on the low-rise’s façade pulls in crowds.
Despite its airy appearance, the site plan was initially very restrictive in terms of boundaries. Thus, the architectural intent has been to not make the center’s guests feel claustrophobic. The end-to-end large column-free spaces ensure just that whilst adding spatial depth to the compact space.

Any visitor is guaranteed to be taken in by a grand double-height lobby, which has lifts leading them to the first level earmarked for exhibition spaces, while the upper floor is reserved as the community center. The architectural skeleton sits upon an existing basement structure, making it a tensile steel structure with spans ranging from 35 meters of unsupported column-free spaces inside the exhibition center. The large steel structures inside the exhibition space are open and exposed and coloured in vibrant shades to create a zestful vibe inside the large span structures. This allows the ground level to be used as a covered public space, enjoying natural light and ventilation.

To coordinate all aspects of a high-profile event, the exhibition center’s unmatched services come with a depth of expertise and unmatched commitment to service which includes: multi-cuisine eateries at the entry-level to showcase the subcontinent’s gastronomy, modular, collapsible and reconfigurable exhibition spaces to stretch retail goals; ample community spaces with panoramic views on the upper decks; and duly screened jali work awnings on the terrace to allow alfresco events.

The design’s pre-fabricated measures drastically reduced waste generated, drastically decreasing on-site pollution. The use of chemical compounds allowed curing or complete removal of water from the site. These prudent measures have helped the construction to be done in a rapid and efficient manner.

East Kidwai Nagar, a 35-hectare, residential-led central Delhi project, is used as an exemplar project by the Indian government for its programme to develop smart cities. Despite the superlative execution, its urban landscape severely lacked a convention center to host high-octane events in the burgeoning suburb. With this spectacular addition of the Exhibition Centre, the Ministry of Urban Housing and Development hopes to fill the gap!
Total Built-up area: 5000 sqm
Total cost of the project: Confidential

Delhi's scorching summers presented a unique challenge, and in response, we designed an intricate latticed GRC Jali facade. This design choice draws inspiration from the iconic architectural character of Lutyen's Delhi. The GRC Jali adds a touch of elegance and serves a crucial purpose. It allows indirect sunlight to filter through, creating a diffused and comfortable interior environment. This innovative approach significantly reduces the need for mechanical ventilation, contributing to energy efficiency and sustainability.
Inside the exhibition space, large steel structures take centre stage. These structures are functional and coloured in vibrant shades, injecting a sense of liveliness into the expansive interiors. Their open and exposed design fosters a dynamic and energetic atmosphere, turning the ground level into a welcoming and naturally lit public space.
The project demonstrates a commitment to sustainability through pre-fabricated measures that minimise waste generation and on-site pollution. Using chemical compounds for curing or water removal further highlights the project's environmentally conscious approach. These thoughtful choices not only expedite construction but also reduce its environmental impact.
The materials used in the Exhibition Centre project go beyond functionality - they contribute to its aesthetic appeal, energy efficiency, and sustainability. The intricate GRC Jali facade and vibrant steel structures showcase innovative design thinking, making them deserving candidates for recognition in the Surface Design Award.

The project's commitment to sustainability is evident in its pre-fabricated measures, which have a dual impact. They significantly reduce waste generation during construction, contributing to a cleaner and more environmentally responsible building process. These measures also expedite construction, leading to time and resource savings.

Another key sustainability factor is the innovative use of chemical compounds, which play a crucial role in curing and removing water from the construction site. This approach promotes efficient construction and minimises water consumption, an essential consideration in water-stressed regions like Delhi. The project's sustainability efforts extend to reducing on-site pollution through complete off-site manufacturing. This practice reduces the environmental impact associated with construction activities and minimises human intervention, particularly in labour-intensive processes.

The Exhibition Centre embraces passive design principles through its screened facades. These facades allow the entry of natural light, creating a pleasant and well-lit interior and serving as an effective barrier against the harsh summer sun. This design approach reduces the building's dependency on artificial cooling and ventilation, contributing to energy efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint.

The Exhibition Centre project demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability through its efficient construction methods, reduced resource consumption, and thoughtful design choices. These sustainability credentials make it a deserving candidate for recognition in projects that prioritise environmental responsibility.

A significant challenge was the context of the surrounding urban fabric, characterised by dense settlements. In response, the design of the three-storey structure was conceived to create a surreal elevation that appears to make the building levitate. This unique design adds a touch of architectural wonder and ensures porosity, allowing for visual connections across both sides of the Exhibition Center - making it a captivating conversation starter in the neighbourhood and enhancing its overall impact.

The project also faced initial constraints in terms of site boundaries. To address this challenge, the architectural intent was clear: to prevent guests from feeling claustrophobic within the Center. This objective was achieved through the creation of end-to-end large column-free spaces, providing an open and spacious environment despite the compact size.

The Exhibition Centre also needed to cater to a hectic event calendar, requiring thoughtful planning and services. To meet these demands, the Center offers a range of unmatched services, including multi-cuisine eateries at the entry-level to showcase diverse gastronomy, modular and reconfigurable exhibition spaces to accommodate various retail needs, ample community spaces on upper decks with panoramic views, and screened jali work awnings on the terrace for alfresco events. These services reflect a depth of expertise and an unwavering commitment to providing top-notch service for high-profile events.
The Exhibition Centre project successfully addressed various challenges related to surface selection and application, resulting in a visually striking and functionally versatile space that stands out in its urban context and offers exceptional services to its users.

East Kidwai Nagar, a 35-hectare, residential-led central Delhi project is used as an exemplar project by the Indian government for its programme to develop smart cities. Despite the superlative execution, its urban landscape severely lacked a convention centre that could host high-octane events in the burgeoning suburb. With this spectacular addition of the Exhibition Centre, the Ministry of Urban Housing and Development hopes to fill the gap.