The World Bank : New Delhi office

84395 T e World Bank . ,  Imperial Hotel Tht \elY Delhi office started as a small otlice. chieth with representational and information gathering responsibilities. in a single room in the Imperialllotel. It IY~ts opened in October 19~- hi' the Bank's t!rst Resident Representative, Dr. Amonin Hasch, a distinguished ecunomist on the Bank staff Reserz•e Bank Building By 196). the office ll'hich had expanded mul'ed to premises that the Government prol'ided in the Reserl'e Bank of India building on Parliament Street. 7 .\'ardar Patel J!m~~ 111is arrangement lasted until Decemlx~r 1966 11·hen the Bank. with its rapidil· expanding suff. moved into rented accommodation at - Sardar Patel \!arg. Initial!\', the ground floor 11·as occupied l)l' the oftlce, \\'ith quarters for l'isiting missions upstairs. But soon the oftke required thL' entire building for its operations. 53 Lodi Estate In 196-. CD. Deshmukh, founder and first director of the India Intermtional Centre. suggested to President \X'oods that the Bank office move into a building that the IIC 11·as planning t()r the Council of Social Del'elopment in Lodi Estate. The Bank. interested in quarters 1.1·hich would facilitate a "more business like climate", mol'ed to the ne\\' location in the Fall of 19~0, occupying m·o upper floors in the threntore\'ed building. 55 Lodi Estate The Bank's next mm·e occurred in 19-~. The Ford Foundation had constructed for its own use in the late 1960s an attractil'e office complex in the l'icinity of Locli Gardens. Howel'er. in the late 19-0s, the profile and the programs of the Ford Foundation in India underwent a change and it became clear that the large, elegant building would no longer be entirely required for its o11·n oftkes. Its main building 11·as placed at the disposal of the l'nited  :--.:arions De\'eiopment Program, The Bank. as a member of rhe l':--.: family, '>l'aS allocated approximatelY one-third of rhe available space, raking advantage of the opportunity ru acquire more arrracti\'C accommodations, 21 ]orbagb \'i'ith expansion over time. the staff strength of the 0/e'>l' Delhi office has grown from two in 195~ to about 120 in 1993. '>l'ith many local professionals and support statT contributing ro its gnmth. 111e role of the \e1v Delhi otTice has also undergone a basic change, irs earlier emphasis on economic and anal) tical work being supplemented by an operational, project-implementation focus. The Agricultural l'nit increased in size and became too large to be accommodated at 55 Locli Estate, and in 19H3 a separate building was leased to house the rnit ar 21 Jorbagh. 168 ]orbagb In recent years, the staff working on other sectors has also increased, requiring additional office space. In 1993. the Bank expanded into yet another location to house the Population & IIuman Resources Di\'ision.  The New Office Building ofthe World Bank Given the rapidly expanding Resident Mission in Ne\Y Delhi, the need for its 0\Yn office building. large enough to house all sections of the Mission. had long been considered by the Bank. In 1982, the Bank formally requested the GoYernment of India to pro,·ide it a plot in the Lodi Estate complex \Yhich had been set aside as an institutional area. In 1986, a plot was designated and, in 1990, it \\'as formally allotted to the Bank for construction of its 0\\'11 building. The ground breaking ceremony took place in March 1991. and the \X'orld Bank's ne"· office building \\·as completed for occupancy in 0Jo\'ember 1993.  69/""0 Locli Estate 17Je Site Set in the prestigious Locli Est:tte area, orerlonking the magnificent 1Sth century Lodi tombs and expansire gardens on one side. and llanked on the other hy the elegantly landscaped modern complex comprising the India International Centre and the Ford Foundation. the \\'orld Bank occupies a small hut enriahk location in \t\\. Delhi.  T/.Jc Dt!sig11 Co11cept ··,·... ...,._.. This unique location has pro\'ided the basis for a total design concept: the creation of a high-tech, modern office building 'iYith a pleasant and functional IYorking ambience. set in a graceful garden setting, using naturaL indigenous building materials. and employing to its adrantage the still m·ailable traditional Indian craftsmanship. l11e inno,·ati,·e design of Raj R ewa! Associates, the local firm of architects selected through a Bank committee, has resulted in an artistic expression appropriate to its function , time and place, blending with great sensiti\'ity its medieval and modern surroundings. '' '.  The PlaJI glare of the long summer 111e plan reflects the classical months. It prorides the risual sym mett~· of Lodi architecture and aesthetic adrantage of an and re\'Oives around a central enclosed pri,·ate garden from axis. Astriking feature of the \\·here a glass elerator rises to plan is the central courtyard, a the t\ro upper floors. traditional Indian architectural device that ensures natural light and air for the inner rooms 'l':hile cutting out the extreme heat and .."" ~ . .. . .. ,$.' •I I~· I I I I I I I I II ~~ I it; :,.J CONFERENCE ;~ h:=e 'i..c;:; I! ·. /Tt· - -~ . 1 ,!, I ' f I I 1 ~ I I 1. I I .. ~~''I!! ~~ L .-.. I I ! I I I ' (f ~ -~~ t; . I I I r I I I r.: ·. . . .. .f.. • ~~ I I I l I I I r I I CO"'FE'lENCE - ~-~~. ?I ::..,:::=; -... \ ':...I, . -$~~ ~ ~ • ,h. I ~~~ ~· . I I I I I I "' ¥-~~· • ·•·;-1 ! • • I . ffrir-#.i{iif!i~ .. I I. I I I I I I I ,.~ \. ~ ........ ..Li ~ .. ~l', 'k I I I I I I I P=F ··~ q- r. 'i"J· ' .. -······- - - _1' ,! ! I I I I I I I I ' A . . , I I !·~ri.U tW I I I I I II ~- ~-- - · ······· · --· ···----· -- -,;;.:;;,;=~· ·· - :. -· -.;;:;-; ··' :it II' . I I I I I I I I I 1J I i I CON F ERENCE I SECTION THROUG H COURTYARD The public entrance of the The \\'eStern bcade. nanked by building is on the eastern side. the sunken garden \Yith its facing the existing complex and carefully presctYed old trees. prm·icling ,·isitors easy access to orerlooks the Lodi Gardens the parking in the common plaza. offering superb riers of the tombs and greenet~· from the offices, conference rooms and lounge-dining ro,>m. I t----.1 I A C PLANT 13uilcling {- .1/aterinls The Bank requestl'd th;l! thl' design and construction of the building dra,,· on local materials. and on the skills of local artisans and cra ft~persons \Yhen:n~r re:tsonahly possible. In response to this request. local material-; and skills haYe been Lised in a cost-effecti\·e manner. The exterior " ·ails are made of localh· cut biscuit-colored limestone from Dholpur, \Yi th a ribbon of pale pink :\gr~t stone. The effect is :t rich hut mellmY echoing of the colors found in the ncarb,· Lodi Tombs. Granite quarried in India prm·ides the flooring for the public areas. Local artisans pl:m:d a major role in the den~lopmcnt of the building particularlY. in the stone masonr-r. . handsomely Gli"Yed ja/is. balcony railings. ' and a carefi.tlh· . modul:tted fenestration. ....  7he L{/ 11dswpe The old trees existing on the site ha,·e been incorporated into the landscape plan \Yhich is designed to dra,,· the Lodi Gardens into its extended \Yings. risually expanding the building's mm gardens. 111e sunken garden prurides an aesthetic rie\r as \rell :ts an abundance of natural light into the lo\\·er ground Jerel dining room. It also creates a prirate outdoor space for staff recre:Hion. The graceful fall of \\·ater orer the rough stone \\·all enlttnces the beaut\' of the setting and echoes the concept of running \\·;Her. an importan t element in traditional ~lugh:tl architecture.  The /11/erior The clean. function:li linl", of the interior arc rcll ected in tlw \\.hltc plastered \\~Il ls and polislwd gr~mi te floors. The conctalcd lighting tracks. \\·ith their sleek lighting fixtures. pmridc art ificial light "·hilc the simple rerrical blinds pro\·icle natural light control. Hand som ~ polished \Yooden rails and cabinets arc function:~! to the building's operations. High· tech mtd i'.'lleJW' Ejji'cie111 111e building. h(m·erer, is not just aesthetically pleasing..it incorporates the latest in functional technologies as well. It is enrimnment friendh· and energy efficient. And its communications are electronicalh- linked. both domesticallr and \Yorld \\'ide. to ererr \rorkstation within the building via satellite. Solar reflecting glass used throughout the building minimizes solar heat gain. The computer controlled. zoned air· conditioning - sensi ti\'e to both inside and outside temperatures for maximum energy efficiency - greatly reduces the operational cost. 11111- ·11111 The offices ha,·e been designed offices and harmonize 'iYith the to effectively utilize natural light, orerall ambience of the Bank's and to supplement it \\'ith :'-le,,· Delhi office. sophisticated, energy efficient artificial lighting systems. Concealed lighting tracks focus light precisely \\'here it is needed while high-tech fixtures provide maximum illumination \Yith minimum energy consumption. A cent ral control system, linked by computer \\·ith all functional systems - mechanica l, security, 'i\'ater. fire detection and communications - monitors the building for complete, safe, · continuous and energy efficient functioning. \\'arks ofArt The simple, businesslike , high-tech interior serres as an excellent backdrop for ,,·ell -chosen, reasonably priced art works of both established and aspiring Indian artists - j ogen Chaudhri, Sanrosh and Ghulam Sheikh among others - and specially commissioned textiles and handicrafts br master craftspersons representing the different regions of India. 111ese add \Yarmth and color to the Ac/<.1 lOll '/ed!{('/11(' I I Is The \c\\. Delhi office had the The entir<: building mmplc\ expert adrice and assisunce of has been executed h\· the \l:lrtand Singh in the selection Information. Technolog\· and and commission ing of :tn objects. Facilities ( ITF) Department of eSJX'cially textile hangings and the \\"mid Bank under the tapestries. \\"e acknmYlcdge our supelYision ofj;.tmcs !lead. The gratitude to him. generous efforts of all those \\"ho contributed to the creation of the building, especially architect Raj Ednorial and Design Consultant : Fatima AI·Tahb Rewa!. contractor lirath !{am Photographs: Ram Rahman Production D01s Print ( lndta) 1'\1 Ltd Ahuja. and constructon manager Vijay Rewa!. are grateful~\" acknmYledged. Ust <!{Resident Representati1 •es \nit H1II1 lh~ch ]t)~- .1l)~l) ll.llT\ 0 Cmr.111 19~9 . 1961 lknj.llllin l\111g 1%5. 1%~ \\ilium \I GJ!nunin 1%- . llro OIYilk_l \kDi:mn id l'nl. 19-2 \\ illi:llll \1 Gilnunin 19- 2 . 19- ~ hll"hL·n l\r.1~kt' 19-~. 19- 9 kan ·D.t\ id l{l1uk·! llP). 19~.1 lk\ .Ill \\.!iLk 19~-J · 19H~ h>L"Ill·n 1\r:tskc lt)HH · I 99 I ( )]d,l\ l"t'IuJ 1991 .  The World Jank 69 70 Lodi Estate. Ne\\' Ddhi 11 0 003. India 1818 H Street, :\.\'\".. \\·ashington. D.C. 20-133. C.S.A.