Tue, Apr 8 12:40 AM
The West Bengal government plans to construct additional structures alongside its guesthouse in Chanakyapuri to cater to VVIPs and senior state government officials. The proposed structure is estimated to cost Rs 6 crore and is expected to be a green building.
Construction is yet to begin and will take two years to complete, reveals the architect engaged in executing the project. "New structures will be added to the existing low rise Lutyen's bungalow because the main guest house located at Hailey Road lacks the space, infrastructure and security arrangements necessary to cater to the needs of the VVIPs," he says.
The idea is not to demolish the almost 50-year-old exising building but to supplement it with a special block for the VVIPs and two additional blocks, says Sunando Dasgupta, Principal Architect at Sunando Dasgupta and Associates. The plan for the new blocks to be added to the present guesthouse, located in the Lutyens Bungalow Zone, has been cleared by the DUAC and all statutory bodies such as the NDMC and the fire offices.
The West Bengal PWD is the executing agency. The interiors and the exterior renovation of the existing bungalow will be done keeping conservation in mind.
The new guest blocks will make an aesthetic statement without diminishing or imitating the existing bungalow, he says. The idea is to have the building blend with the surroundings and construct it as an energy efficient structure.
"Cavity wall construction has been proposed on the West and South facades of the building. Other energy efficient elements would include heat insulation tiles in the terrace, solar water heating system, energy efficient light fittings and localised air conditioning systems to minimise losses and wastage," says Dasgupta.
The existing building will be connected to the special or the annexe block that will house special suites for the Chief Minister and the Governor on the first and the second floor respectively. The Type I block will have 24 suites and four floors while the ground floor will house common services.
The Type II block will also be a guest house but of a different category and will house VIPs and officers. It will constitute four floors with five suites each.
The parking lot will be in the basement and will have a car lift but on a small scale. There will also be modern security systems in place.
Finishing will be modern but maintenance free.
