Celebrating cultural diversity and historical identity of Delhi through Vanijya Bhawan: the new office complex for the Department of Commerce, Government of India
Vanijya Bhawan is an office complex for the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. This G+5 building, with a built-up area of 4.3 lakh SqFt is designed to house the Ministers of Commerce & Secretary’s offices and accommodate around 1800 to 2000 officers. While other buildings in Lutyens Delhi may have seen redevelopments, Vanijya Bhawan distinguishes itself as the first building built from scratch in the past decade on the C-Hexagon in New Delhi. The development sets a benchmark for public infrastructure and is a new-age facility elevated by employing state-of-the-art technology. While the design has to be conscious of the context and urban historic architecture identity of the capital city, it has to fortify its own distinct architectural identity.
Balancing Heritage and Innovation—Creating a Distinct Identity
Acknowledging this, Vanijya Bhawan is envisaged to be a landmark for public architecture that propels and propagates its identity without creating a significant departure from its overall immediate urban historical context. The design for Vanijya Bhawan aims to synergise with the existing morphology and urban fabric of Lutyens Delhi while establishing its own identity and distinct character, along with serving functional needs. The design critically also propels the local flavours into the material fabric of the new structure. Located close to India Gate, the design is material-conscious, with motifs and scale incorporated into the overall design intervention. Being conscious of the context that it belongs to, this modern heritage building is developed on a 4.38 Acre plot of land.
Maximises Collaboration and Interaction
The building is designed to celebrate the existing context of Lutyens Delhi while establishing a distinct Identity. One of the most notable features of Vanijya Bhawan is the open floorplan—rare to be seen in public buildings in India—which allows for a spacious and open environment conducive to communication and teamwork. This includes several meeting rooms and lunchrooms on every floor to encourage collaboration and transparency among colleagues. This arrangement promotes interaction and a sense of community, which can foster a more productive and positive work environment. Confidentiality concerns were also taken into account during the design process. The office was designed with the addition of convention measures and accessibility limitations to provide a safe and secure environment for employees. This ensures that confidential information is protected while allowing for open communication and collaboration among staff.
A Modern Heritage Landmark that Embraces India’s Culture and Craftsmanship
As a result, Vanijya Bhawan stands as a monument to India’s rich cultural heritage and technological craftsmanship while providing a state-of-the-art facility for hosting official meetings, conventions, and cultural performances. The resulting edifice exudes grandeur and reflects its intended representation and function. This aspirational quality lends itself to a significant impact on the beholder while supporting local artisans, showcasing their art and technological craftsmanship. Vanijya Bhawan is thus a landmark, from its conceptualisation to its inception, that is in sync with the people-first approach and contributes to their broader objective of nation-building. Overall, the design of this modern office strikes a balance between efficiency, effectiveness, and the preservation of the heritage context of the building. Vanijya Bhawan is a modern heritage building that stands out as a landmark for public architecture while maintaining the historical context of Delhi.
Also Read: Income Tax Headquarters, Lucknow | STHAPATI
Project details:
| Project Name | Vanijya Bhawan |
| Typology | Commercial |
| Location | New Delhi |
| Client | Ministry of Commerce, Government of India |
| Project Cost (to be rechecked by NBCC) | INR 226.84 Crore |
| Built-up Area | 4.1 lakh SqFt Super Structure: 1.9 lakh SqFt Sub Structure: 2.2 lakh SqFt |
| Scope of Work | Mini Convention Center (150) Meeting Rooms (capacity 60,30,16,10,6) Delegation Meeting Room (80) OAT Library Minister’s Office Secretary’s Office IT Facilities Executive Dining Hall Open Offices and Cabins |
| Facade Material | Chiselled Dholpur stone, Red Agra stone, Double Glazed Unit Glass |
Biltrax Construction Data is tracking 28,000+ projects on their technology platform for their clients.
Get exclusive access to upcoming projects in India with actionable insights and gain a competitive advantage for your products in the Indian Construction Market.
Visit www.biltrax.com or email us at contact@biltrax.com to become a subscriber and generate leads.
Disclaimer: The information contained herein has been compiled or arrived at, based upon information obtained in good faith from sources believed to be reliable. All such information and opinions can be subject to change. The image featured in this article is for representation purposes only and does not in any way represent the project. If you wish the article to be removed or edited, please email editor@biltrax.com.
0
