The World Bank Building addresses this problem. It pays respect to its neighbours while successfully fulfilling its function.
It is not an obtrusive building, in fact it is hardly visible from nearby Lodi gardens. But at the same time it is linked to it in a deeper manner as it follows its underlying values in a new vocabulary of design using modern and traditional materials of construction.
The building mass encloses a central court, providing diffused light and ventilation. The scale of the court creates a zone of building under shade, thereby reducing the air-conditioning load. It acts as an open area with a controlled micro climate and provides relief to the building users. It also functions as an open spill-out of the lobby and exhibition areas and is utilized as a arena for multi-purpose use. At the upper levels the rooms overview the courtyard, which is enlivened with a fountain (hand-carved from a single piece of stone), shrubs and glass lift.
The area between the Lodi gardens and the building periphery has been scooped out to create a sunken court. The sunken court functions as stage for multi-purpose public activity. It is an extension of the public area on the lower ground floor. The court and exhibition spaces are linked to a sunken garden through the exhibition at the lower ground level and the lobby. A series of steps enclose it on three sides, connecting the court at the court at the lower level to the garden at the upper natural ground level. The platforms within the amphitheatre preserve the existing trees.
The beige sandstone cladding of the Bank building offset with red sandstone at floor levels reflects in a different manner the cladding and surface treatment of Delhi’s great monuments. The boundary wall and the steps of the sunken court are made of Delhi quartzite stone with brown hues. The World Bank building is seen through a very thick foliage of trees and textures of Delhi quartzite and Agra sandstone are appropriate complimentary materials to the garden.
ASSESSMENT:
The World Bank
A striking feature of the building is the central courtyard that ensures natural light for the inner rooms while cutting out the extreme heat and glare of the long summer months. The public entrance of the building is on the eastern side, facing the existing complex and provides visitors easy access to the parking in the common plaza. The western facade, flanked by the sunken garden with it’s carefully preserved old trees, overlooks the Lodi Gardens offering superb views of the tombs and greenery from the offices, conference rooms and cafeteria.
The clean, functional lines of the interior are reflected in the white plastered walls and polished granite floors. The building, however, is not just aesthetically pleasing, it incorporates the latest in functional technologies as well. It is environment friendly and energy efficient. Solar reflecting glass used throughout the building minimizes solar heat gain. The offices have been designed to effectively utilize natural light and to supplement it with sophisticated, energy efficient artificial lighting system. The simple, businesslike, high-tech interior serves as an excellent backdrop for well-chosen art works. These add warmth and color to the offices and harmonize with the overall ambiance of the Bank’s New Delhi Office.