Office of Chief Electoral Officer
Delhi
Overview
The Chief Electoral Office (CEO) has always had an important role in the machinery of the Indian political process. The CEO is a position in the Indian governance that has prominence because of election controls powers of the largest democracy in the world.
It is a body which is constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections to the national and state legislatures and of President and Vice-President. It has powers to impose unambiguous rules and guidelines that are applied across the entire diverse Indian population.
It is also in charge of running the government during a transition period before, during, and after the elections.
Concept
The case of this project was developed within an existing building that had historical relevance and dated back almost half a century. As a position of assertiveness and respect, the new office needed to reflect the same. The office was envisioned to break the monotony of the conventional government office outlook.
The aim was to make it feel different with a mix of modernity and historic styles. The site was in a listed building from the early 19th century in the area of the Kashmir Gate, Delhi. A radical step was taken where the central courtyard was identified as the location of the main office.
Status
Completed in 2013
Cost
INR 1.5 Cr | INR 15 Million
Area
3229 Sq.ft. | 300 Sq.m.
Facility
Office facility
Design
Studies were done to understand the relocation and provision of such an office space considering the constraints of the existing building, required workflow, peak and non-peak visitors’ movement, and administrative proceeding during elections. The very large central space was adapted as the site of the main office, and this opened up many possibilities.
It was a column-free space with the potential of a high ceiling. Service offices and corridors surround the space from three sides making it possible to provide multiple entrances joining facilities and segregating movement.
The main office itself was given a mix of tradition and modern feel, through warm colors, wooden flooring, heritage furniture, vintage elements, retaining old building arches, exposed wooden elements, and modern cove lighting concept. Grandness through space proportion was maintained through the high ceiling of the correlative dimension. Special emphasis was given to the ceiling acoustics, which was to play a very important role in creating a pleasant soundscape.
The office is a display of the legacy of early India which draws its cues from British architecture. It stands out nothing short of a very neat and clean finished government house. The Office emerged as a symbol of power and respect. For a government aristocrat democratic office, this was a very new design which attracted a lot of appreciations from the government.
Key features
Remodeling of double height courtyard into single living space to be used as the main office.
Emphasis on preserving the various vintage elements like old arches, etc.
High ceilings and wooden finishing to represent a connection with the classical era.
Proactive recommendations on furniture choices keeping the vintage theme intact.
Makes Impossible outcomes possible.