Wikipedia
Hall of Nations
- Design firm
- Raj Rewal Associates
- Typology
- Exhibition pavilion
- Years
- 1970–1972
- Status
- Demolished
Facade facts
- Facade summary
- A load-bearing structural envelope composed of a repeating cast-in-situ concrete space frame. The faceted geometry forms a truncated pyramid with integrated glazing and deep geometric self-shading.
- Documented intention
- Raj Rewal aimed to showcase India's capability in high-tech structural design using low-tech, labor-intensive local construction methods and local materials (concrete), as structural steel was scarce and highly regulated. The geometry was intended to mimic traditional Indian architectural elements,specifically the jaali screen,to combat solar heat gain passively.
- Street relationship
- The sloping concrete walls of the building sat directly on massive raking concrete piers,creating a dramatic, sculptural threshold at the ground level where visitors entered through the undercroft.
- Climate relationship
- The deep coffered geometry of the concrete frame, which is approximately 1.5 to 2.0 metres in depth,blocks direct,high-angle solar radiation, while allowing diffuse light to enter the exhibition space.
- Window pattern
- Triangular windows structurally integrated into the facets of the octahedral space frame.
- Glazing
- Single glazing
- Depth
- Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 metres of structural depth,creating significant relief and shading.
- Rhythm
- Highly repetitive, mathematically precise pattern of interlocking octahedrons.
- Reinforced Concrete
- Reinforced Concrete — Primary structural lattice and envelope — Rough,board-marked cast-in-situ concrete
- Glass
- Glass — Triangular infill windows within the geometric frame — Single-glazed,clear and translucent panels
- Cast-in-situ Concrete Space Frame
- A structural envelope composed of reinforced concrete struts cast on-site utilizing complex scaffolding and timber formwork,linking into heavy structural nodes.
Tags
- 1971–1980
- A massive
- BSh (Hot semi-arid climate)
- Cast-in-situ Concrete
- Civic exhibition park landscape
- Delhi
- Exhibition
- Exhibition pavilion
- Glass
- Highly repetitive
- In-situ Concrete Casting
- India
- Integrated geometric glazing
- Late 20th Century
- Load-bearing Structural Facade
- Modernism
- New Delhi
- Raj Rewal
- Raj Rewal Associates
- Single glazing
- Space Frame Facade
- Timber scaffolding
- blocks direct
- board-marked cast-in-situ concrete
- clear and translucent panels
- creating a dramatic
- creating significant relief and shading.
- flanked by smaller
- high-angle solar radiation
- interconnected 'Hall of Industries' pavilions.
- linking into heavy structural nodes.
- reinforced concrete
- specifically the jaali screen
- to combat solar heat gain passively.
Description
The facade is formed of a three-dimensional structural lattice constructed of reinforced concrete, cast on-site using timber and steel formwork. The lattice relies on repeating octahedral geometries, forming a structural shell that slopes inward to shape a truncated pyramid. This 3D lattice features alternating triangles and diamond configurations. Triangular glass panels are set within the recesses of the concrete members to provide natural interior daylight, while other facets are left solid or perforated for ventilation.
Visual analysis
The facade projects a highly monumental and brutalist aesthetic, showcasing raw, board-marked concrete textures. The intricate crisscrossing diagonals create a dynamic play of light and shadow across the sloping walls, contrasting solid concrete elements with delicate triangular glazing inserts.
Gallery
Sources
- Raj Rewal: Building for a New Nation · Giles Tillotson
- The structural design of the Hall of Nations, New Delhi · Mahendra Raj