The Facade Atlas
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Raj Rewal Associates

New Parliament Library

Location
New Delhi,India
Design firm
Raj Rewal Associates
Typology
Library
Years
1991–2002
Status
Complete

Facade facts

Facade summary
An external envelope dominated by alternating bands of red and beige sandblasted Dholpur sandstone,interspersed with intricate stone jali screens, and capped with structural glass-and-steel domes.
Documented intention
Raj Rewal intended to create a contemporary monument that maintains an active dialogue with the adjacent colonial-era Parliament. The use of red and beige stone directly references the historic context. The inclusion of stone jali screens and domes reflects traditional Indian spatial planning and climatic responses, translating them into a modern structural vocabulary.
Street relationship
Due to strict security parameters, the building's exterior acts as a buffer. The low building height keeps the structure visually subordinate to the main Parliament House, preserving the iconic skyline of the campus.
Climate relationship
The heavy stone cladding provides substantial thermal mass to mitigate Delhi's extreme heat. The stone jali screens act as physical sunbreakers,diffusing harsh light,minimizing glare inside the study rooms,and reducing solar heat gain.
Window pattern
Deeply set punched windows placed rhythmically along the masonry bays, contrasted with continuous glazed bands in inner courtyards.
Glazing
Insulated double glazing with low-E coating to limit heat transmission.
Depth
Highly articulated facade with rich depth created by alternating stone planes,recessed window cavities,and protruding piers.
Rhythm
Horizontal rhythm established by alternating red and beige stone bands, paired with a vertical rhythm of structural columns and bays.
Red Dholpur Sandstone
Red Dholpur Sandstone — Lower base course and decorative horizontal bands across the exterior walls. — Sandblasted and fine-tooled.
Beige/White Dholpur Sandstone
Beige/White Dholpur Sandstone — Main body of the exterior walls,window surrounds,and piers. — Sandblasted.
Laminated Double Glazing
Laminated Double Glazing — Central structural domes and courtyard curtain walls. — Reflective,low-emissivity coating.
Structural Steel
Structural Steel — Framework of the glazed domes. — Coated
Stone Cladding System
Dry-hung cladding panels using non-corrosive metallic anchors fastened to a reinforced concrete structural frame.
Structural Steel Tensile Dome System
Lattice space-frame ring structure acting as an overhead glazed facade, incorporating structural steel nodes and high-performance glazed assemblies.
Stone Jali (Lattice) Screen System
Custom hand-carved modular sandstone screens mounted externally over structural glass openings to provide solar protection.

Tags

Dry-hung stone cladding

Description

The facade of the Parliament Library respects the scale, height, and color palette of Herbert Baker's neighboring structures. Its base and main body are clad in dual-toned horizontal bands of red and white (cream) Dholpur sandstone. These walls are heavily articulated by deep recesses, creating a play of light and shadow. Glazed elements are shielded by custom-fabricated stone jalis (lattice screens). The roofline transitions into a series of focal domes: a central glass dome supported by a steel tensile space frame, and surrounding lightweight concrete domes. This modular arrangement permits filtered top-light to penetrate deep into the library's internal courtyard spaces, effectively turning the roof into an active overhead facade.

Visual analysis

The external facade appears heavy, grounded, and highly protective, showcasing deep texture through sandblasted stone panels. In contrast, the internal courtyard facades and the overhead domes project a lightweight, precise, and transparent engineering quality, illustrating a clear transition from heavy masonry to modern steel and glass.

Sources

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