New Parliament House

New Parliament House:
An Architectural and Engineering Marvel

India's Parliament House has been the cornerstone of India's democracy since its inception. The present Parliament House was constructed during the British era, has been in use for nearly a century. However, with India's growing population and technological advancements, the need for a new and modern Parliament House has become imperative. The new Parliament House in India, which is expected to be completed in 2022, is an architectural and engineering marvel. This article explores the design, architecture, and engineering of the new Parliament House.

Introduction

The new Parliament House in India is an ambitious project, aimed at providing a modern
and technologically advanced facility to accommodate India's growing population
and evolving democratic institutions. The project has been undertaken by the
Central Public Works Department (CPWD), and the design has been conceptualized
by renowned architect Bimal Patel.

The new Parliament House in India has been designed by renowned architect Bimal Patel. Patel is the founder and principal architect of HCP Design, Planning and Management, a leading architecture and planning firm based in Ahmedabad, India. He has won several awards for his work, including the prestigious 'Architect of the Year' award at the 2016 Indian Architect and Builder Awards.

History of the Indian Parliament House

The current Parliament House was designed by Edwin Lutyens, a British architect, during the
British rule in India. Construction on the building commenced in 1921 and concluded in 1927, after which it was inaugurated by Lord Irwin, the Governor-General of India at the time.
building commenced in 1921 and concluded in 1927, after which it was
inaugurated by Lord Irwin, the Governor-General of India at the time.
The current Parliament House has served the Indian democracy for nearly a
century, but with the growing population and the need for advanced technology,
a new Parliament House has become imperative.

Need for a New Parliament House

The need for a new Parliament House is due to various reasons. Firstly, the current
Parliament House has become overcrowded, and there is no scope for expansion.
Secondly, the building is not equipped with modern technology and facilities
required for a modern parliament. Thirdly, the current building is not
earthquake-proof, and given India's susceptibility to earthquakes, a new
building with state-of-the-art seismic design is required.

The Architecture of the New Parliament House

The Concept
The new Parliament House is designed in the shape of a diamond, representing the
diamond shape of the Indian map. The upcoming Parliament building in India will consist of four floors and cover a vast area of 64,500 square meters. It will be able to accommodate 1,224 members of Parliament, with separate chambers for the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Parliament building in India will consist of four floors and cover a vast area
of 64,500 square meters. It will be able to accommodate 1,224 members of
parliament, with separate chambers for the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The Dome
The most striking feature of the new Parliament House is the dome, which is 34 meters in
diameter and is made of bronze. The dome has been inspired by the Ashoka
Chakra, and it will have the Indian national emblem placed at the top. The dome
will be illuminated at night, making it visible from afar.

The Emblem
The new Parliament House in India will have the national emblem of India placed on top of the building. The national emblem, also known as the State Emblem of India, is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka, which was originally erected by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. The national emblem of India is comprised of four lions standing back to back, which symbolize significant traits such as power, courage, pride, and confidence. The lions are mounted on a circular abacus, which is inscribed with the motto "Satyameva Jayate" (truth alone triumphs) in Devanagari script. The emblem will be placed atop the dome of the new Parliament building, making it a prominent feature of the building's design.
The emblem is made of bronze and stands at a height of 6.5 metres, weighing 9,500 kg. In order to support its weight, a supporting steel structure weighing 6,500 kg was created. The National Emblem is a significant feature of the building's design and will be visible from a distance, symbolising the nation's strength and unity. The unveiling of the emblem marks a major milestone in the construction of the new Parliament House, which is set to become an engineering and architectural marvel upon completion.

The Interior Design
The new Parliament House in India aims to capture the essence and diversity of the
country's culture at the grassroots level, in order to make every Indian feel
associated with it. The interiors of the building will showcase various aspects
of Indian culture, including Vedas, Yoga, Upanishads, Sufi and folk culture,
and Kabirpath. The themes of the interiors will revolve around three national
symbols, namely the lotus, peacock and banyan tree. The Lok Sabha chamber in the upcoming Parliament building will feature a design theme inspired by the national bird of India, the peacock. On the other hand, the Rajya Sabha chamber will be adorned with design elements that showcase the national flower of India, the lotus. A design theme inspired by the national bird of India, the peacock. On theother hand, the Rajya Sabha chamber will be adorned with design elements that showcase the national flower of India, the lotus. The central courtyard of the building will feature the national tree banyan as its theme.The National Emblem will crown the new Parliament building, adding to itsgrandeur.

The interiors of the building will also feature fresco paintings on the ceilings, similar to those in the Rashtrapati Bhawan, and carpets with traditional designs, instead of the current single-colour carpets. The walls of thebuilding will have shlokas inscribed on them, further emphasising India's rich cultural heritage. The artworks that will decorate the premises are being sourced, monitored and installed by a panel consisting of academicians,historians, artists, experts and officials from the Culture and Urban Development Ministries. Overall, the new Parliament House is set to become a representation of India's diverse culture and a symbol of national pride.

The Engineering Marvel of the New Parliament House

Structural Design
The structural design of the new Parliament House is a testament to modern engineering techniques. The building has been designed to withstand earthquakes of magnitude 8 on the Richter scale, which is a crucial factor given India's seismic activity. The building's structural design comprises a steel frame that is capable of absorbing earthquake-induced vibrations, ensuring the safety ofthe occupants.In addition to the steel frame, the building also has an innovative base isolation system.The base isolation system involves placing the building on flexible bearings,which isolate the building from ground movements during an earthquake. The isolation system helps in reducing the seismic forces acting on the building,
thus increasing the building's seismic resistance.Another innovative feature of the building's structural design is the use of vertical seismic dampers. The dampers are placed at regular intervals on the building's structure, and they act as shock absorbers during an earthquake, reducing the building's vibration.The building's structural design also takes into consideration the long-term durability of the structure. The building has been designed to have a life span
of 150 years, and the materials used in the construction are of the highest quality to ensure the building's longevity.

Sustainable Design
The new Parliament House has also been designed with sustainability in mind. The
building's design includes features such as rainwater harvesting, waste management, and energy-efficient systems. The building will have a solar power generation capacity of 2 MW, which will provide a significant portion of the building's energy requirements. The building's sustainable design also includes a green roof, which will help in reducing the building's carbon footprint. The green roof will be covered with vegetation, which will help in reducing the building's heat absorption, thus reducing the need for air conditioning. The building's sustainable design also includes the use of recycled materials in the construction. The building's facade will be made of recycled copper, which is not only environmentally friendly but also adds to the building's aesthetic appeal.

Conclusion
The new Parliament House in India is a symbol of India's progress and modernity. The
building's design and architecture represent India's rich cultural heritage while incorporating modern technology and sustainability. The building's structural design and engineering marvel make it a safe and durable facility, while the sustainable design ensures that the building is environmentally responsible. The new Parliament House is not just a building, but a reflection of India's democratic values and aspirations.