The Joseph Stein Lane stands as a unique testament amidst central Delhi, the only road in the city named after an architect. This distinction honors Joseph Allen Stein, whose architectural contributions enriched the post-colonial landscape and challenged the dominance of Edward Lutyens’ Neo-Classical style. One of his best-known works, India Habitat Centre, became one of the largest buildings constructed in India in the early 1990s. Recognizable even as a successful work of urban design, it thrives as a vibrant cultural hub accommodating diverse activities, from everyday necessities like transportation and housing to enriching experiences in entertainment and dining. This remarkable structure has an understated presence – its impact is deeply felt rather than overtly observed. IHC has enjoyed widespread appeal for the past three decades, captivating architectural enthusiasts who marvel at Stein’s meticulous design as well as casual passersby who find solace in its peaceful ambience.
Design Philosophy
Walking through the India Habitat Centre, you aren’t just moving from one building to another; you’re stepping through a series of gardens. ‘Buildings in the garden’ is a concept at the heart of Joseph Stein’s vision; the buildings grow from the landscape rather than as parasites within it. This approach also reflects the building’s apparent aspiration to be a literal living habitat in its own right– a place where interaction flourishes, where nature, people, and the built environment coexist in harmony. Comfort was paramount in this vision.
Massing
Stein’s design departs from the often imposing and monumental character of many modernist and post-modernist structures. He employs simple geometry, allowing the interplay of greenery and open spaces to soften the grandeur of the built form. With all vehicular movement restricted to the periphery of the site and parking located underground, the ground is designed to be a playful pedestrian realm.
The built forms at the India Habitat Center are organized as a series of blocks, each four to seven storeys high, surrounding interconnected courtyards. Spaces within the complex are carefully zoned, with areas of high public access located near the entrances. Landscaped areas seamlessly connect public and semi-public zones and offices are accessed directly from the courtyards.
Bridges and Courts
The different building blocks are interconnected by aerial walkways on the upper floors which appear as grand bridges from the ground level. These bridges create shaded areas and form dramatic voids that serve as entrances to different zones and courtyards. The open and semi-open spaces within the complex foster a dynamic environment that allows for seamless transitions from a workplace during the day to a vibrant cultural hub in the evenings.
The voids become central to the overall composition, contributing to a sense of lightness and airiness. This interplay of solids and voids, like the give-and-take between sky and ground, enriches the architectural experience and creates a sense of harmony within the built environment. When individuals, be it those of high stature or otherwise, emerge from the tall, imposing office buildings, they are humbled by the scale of the architecture – the towering structures, the expansive skywalk, the serene courtyards. Within those confines, humans reign supreme, while the natural world holds dominion outside.
Materials and Construction
The building features a thoughtfully designed reinforced concrete frame structure, creating flexible interior spaces. Massive steel girders support the entire office block, spanning large distances without intermediate supports. The facades are carefully designed to respond to the climate, with generous glazing to admit winter sun and minimize solar heat gain in summer. Strategic planting further moderates the climate.
Exterior Facade
The external facades present a formal and stable appearance, reminiscent of classic architecture. Brick masonry with minimal glazing creates a visually compact base. A simple middle section transitions to a prominent cornice formed by a cantilevered top floor. In a rather discreet manner, rainwater is managed through gaps between walls lined with tiles, eliminating the need for external pipes and gutters that would otherwise interfere with this order. The interplay of exposed brickwork and bands of exposed concrete creates a striking visual rhythm, punctuated by eye-catching ceramic tiles. Vertically placed windows are recessed to minimize the solar heat gain.
Courts
The internal facades, supporting light hanging gardens, are characterized by horizontal ribbon windows. Aluminium-framed windows facing the central court provide diffused light and allow ventilation, reducing the cooling loads. Many of these windows incorporate slots for plants to grow in. Daylight enters the campus through strategically placed niches and the beloved space frame canopy. Some ventilation shafts also allow daylight to penetrate even the basement levels.
Climate Control
The extensive greenery and trees within the complex play a crucial role in regulating temperatures. The strategic use of water bodies, including a large fountain and multiple small pools adorned with vibrant orange fish, utilises evaporative cooling and contributes significantly to the overall climate control within the complex. The IHC also boasts a rich diversity of flora, including green roofs and vertical gardens, which enhance insulation and mitigate the urban heat island effect.
Spaceframe Canopy
A system of shaded canopies over the large paved courts provides relief from the harsh sun. Shade-casting leaves, made of PVC-coated nylon are strategically anchored at specific angles to optimize climate control. During the summer, when the sun is at its peak, these panels minimize solar penetration, casting shadows as beautiful geometric patterns on the ground while maintaining a comfortable microclimate with temperatures lower than those of the surrounding areas. In winter, when the sun is lower, the panels allow for greater solar penetration, creating a warm and naturally heated environment. By effectively modulating solar gain, these shading devices significantly reduce the load on the air-conditioning system, improving the overall energy efficiency of the complex.
India Habitat Centre is a unique microcosm; a fleeting oasis of peace and virtue. While that is true, it also possesses a cheeky air. Its towering structures, almost like enclosures for humans within courtyards, evoke a sense akin to a zoo exhibit. This ‘artificial habitat’ puts our social nature on display, reminding us about the importance of interaction and relationships, like those woven by Stein. The architecture nurtures a dialogue between the expansive sky and the grounded earth, creating a sense of openness and rootedness. This interplay extends to the relationship between the natural world and the built environment, where urbanity is not seen as separate from nature but intertwined with it. From the curated plinths to the wide ribbon windows, every surface pitches in to create joyful architecture.
‘My goal is to make good architecture, not great architecture’, Stein had once declared. In retrospect, one could say he achieved both. The enduring value of his work lies in its comfort and subtle gestures, qualities that resonate far more deeply than ostentatious statements.
References:
Iype, J. (2020) Ode to ‘steinabad’: Joseph Allen Stein’s affair with light, landscape and architecture, STIRworld. Available at: https://www.stirworld.com/inspire-people-ode-to-steinabad-joseph-allen-steins-affair-with-light-landscape-and-architecture# (Accessed: 05 January 2025).
Ahuja, A. (2021) Joseph Allen Stein at 109, and the garden of his heart that lives on, STIRworld. Available at: https://www.stirworld.com/inspire-people-joseph-allen-stein-at-109-and-the-garden-of-his-heart-that-lives-on (Accessed: 05 January 2025 ).
History: India International Center (no date) History | India International Centre. Available at: https://iicdelhi.in/history (Accessed: 05 January 2025).
Indian Habitat Center, New Delhi (no date) Archinomy. Available at: https://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/indian-habitat-center-new-delhi/ (Accessed: 05 January 2025).
Bhatia, H. (2021) ‘Extraordinary spatial environment is Fostering by the fusion of urban qualities and ecological balance in the architecture of a building: a case example of IHC, New Delhi, Lodhi Road’, in Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research . 9th edn.
