Parliament Complex, Common Central Secretariat and Central Vista
New Delhi, India
Showcasing the Centrality of the Temple of Democracy
The prestigious project of the Union Government of India to revamp the
existing parliament building for increased capacity and facilities, along
with the surrounding governmental infrastructure along the Rajpath at
New Delhi, saw four finalists shortlisted as part of 3 stage selection
process through an international bidding process including this
proposal from INI Design Studio. This Master Plan and design revolves
around preserving and paraphrasing the existing heritage
infrastructure in an increasingly contemporary and democratic
articulation which renders it ready for challenges of the future. Having
decided to preserve the existing parliament house located away from
the central axis as a museum of democracy, the new Parliament House
is proposed to be placed centrally on the grand main avenue, Rajpath,
connecting India Gate at one end to Rashtrapati Bhavan at the rear
end. This placement highlights the functional centrality of the
Parliament to the Nation as its Temple of Democracy. The new building
visually references ancient Indian temples with its massive pillared
portico, albeit modernized with steel columns holding up a solar BIPV
glass canopy. Under this, two elliptical volumes are sculpted in to
accommodate the two houses of parliament, Rajya Sabha and Lok
Sabha with the Central Hall between them framing a poignant view of
the Rashtrapati Bhavan on one side and of India Gate on the other
through the maze of its pillars.
Following the Parliament building, the central avenue is completely pedestrianized, thrown open as a people’s
promenade, adorned with gardens and water-bodies. Vehicular roads run peripherally to the layout, with
underpasses connecting them across the central vista. This central pedestrian avenue gets flanked on either side
by building blocks pertaining to various ministries of the government, approached by vehicular roads from the
outer periphery. Each ministerial block is fronted on the central vista by public interface facilities in the form of
Experience Centres where citizens get to interact with the concerned ministries through exhibits and multiple
mediums. These are some design strategies adopted to democratize the functioning of the said spaces and
facilities.
Contemporary Articulation of Heritage for Future-Ready Government Infrastructure
One purpose of revamping the central vista and Parliament is technological as well as visual modernization. While
the design incorporates state-of-the-art technology at every point for the smooth functioning of various arms of
the government, it also attempts to modernize the space’s visuals, while preserving its historic heritage.
Preservation and Sustainability
The architectural glory and historic significance of structures such as the old Parliament Building, North Block,
South Block, India Centre for Arts, and others are deemed to be preserved by reprogramming them as
museums of Indian democracy, library and archivals. Conservation of natural landscape by preserving avenue
trees and existing flora while adding new ones, reactivating public spaces by enhancing streetscapes and open
spaces are some of the green design tools. Incorporating water management strategies like percolation wells,
rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling, harnessing solar energy, climate responsive design through
building orientation, promoting non-motorized mobility by strengthening cycle/ shuttle/ NMT routes are some of
the sustainability strategies employed. The entire master plan is designed to measure up to a Platinum rating
level Green Vision while Parliament Complex is designed to be a Net Positive Energy Campus.
"Building a Democratic Edifice, Nurturing an Aspirational Republic"