In an effort to change the face of the city, Delhi is going to have a very unusual addition to its skyline - a "house-boat convention centre" on the Yamuna floodplain at Baansera. Environment-friendly and socially-inclusive, it is to be the first of several cultural ventures that are encompassed in the Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's vision of a new Delhi. A four-storey convention centre with facilities for meetings, conferences and banquets is the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) plan to get the tenders for. Two senior officials acquainted with the plan told reporters on Thursday that the centre was conceived as a flexible public space.
“The selected bidder, finalised through a two-stage technical and financial evaluation, will have to make a detailed presentation to ensure all design and functional requirements are met,” a DDA official said.
Architectural Concept and Design
The aesthetic of Kashmiri houseboats highly influenced the design of the facility which will be firmly fixed to the land instead of floating on the water. It will, however, preserve the allure and the intricate features of houseboats of the old kind. The building which will be forestmade will not use any kind of concrete or steel so as to be in harmony with the ecologic riverfront character. Even the building's piling will be of wood.
The design is of a four-level, nine-meter-high facility that will have a lower, ground, middle and upper deck. The basic structure will be made of Deodar wood, the superstructure will be of cedar and the decorative elements will have carvings of walnut. The ceilings and the walls of the rooms will be made of Chinar wood which will be decorated with the help of the motif or the grain of the wood.
“The railing, columns, Mehrab arches, and exterior wall panels will carry detailed Persian-style carvings, while the windows will be crafted from cedar with carved sash frames and glass panes,” one of the officials said.
Functional Features
The centre will house a meeting room for 15 to 20 people, a dining area along with a pantry, a reception and waiting lounge, a gallery area, and supporting amenities. All the timber employed will be seasoned so as not to warp, and the joints will be sealed with natural resin or weather-resistant sealants to retain the life of the centre. The flooring will be of engineered wood, while the walls will be made of fire-resistant boards. The interiors will be of traditional Kashmiri style with carved jaali work and the local artisans will be involved in creating the elements. Backing will be done with ceramic tiles and the doors will be in accordance with fire-safety standards.
The DDA goal is to finish the work within 180 days from the contract award date, thus possibly by May-June 2026.
Baansera’s Transformation into a Public Space
The convention centre is just one element of a grander scheme that looks at Baansera not only as a public park but also as a cultural hub. The area has been transformed to accommodate over 30,000 bamboo plants of 15 different varieties. Moreover, the DDA has grown Lakadong turmeric from Meghalaya on two acres of land under the bamboo canopy.
Visitors can have access to the park for a very reasonable price of ₹30, whereas children who are less than ten years of age are allowed entry free of charge. Next to the park, a lake with a musical fountain has been made by converting a six-acre depression and it is open for two half-hour shows from Sunday to Tuesday at 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM.
The Baansera project is an example of how sustainable architecture can be merged with traditional craftsmanship, thus becoming a part of Delhi’s initiative towards the creation of culturally significant public spaces that are a source of tourism, leisure, and socializing.
This creatively designed houseboat-like convention centre is anticipated to be a new landmark of the Yamuna floodplain that harmonizes the aesthetic heritage of the past with the modern functionality. By its elaborate woodwork, Persian-influenced detailing, and timber-based construction, it is committed to bringing the visitors an extraordinary experience of architectural artistry in a natural riverside environment.
Image source- dda.org.in
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