Three years ago, the Chief Minister of Telangana organised a competition for architects to submit design presentations for the secretariat. And today, more than a dozen meetings that lasted close to 9 hours later, we see the secretariat designed by the remarkable architect Ponni Concessao and her firm shine bright as a proud icon of India in Hyderabad, fusing beautifully the European and Hindu architectural elements, yet reflecting the local culture. “For me, it was important that when people from across Telangana and India see this building, they feel a sense of belonging and pride and thus we opted for a classical design,” shares Ponni in a candid conversation with Sumisha Gilotra, Editor Architect and Interiors India.
Here are some excerpts from their conversation:
The Hyderabad Secretariat is a landmark structure in India. where does its design borrow its influences from?
I am a student of history and a huge fan of classical design. So, the secretariat actually borrows influences from many regions. It has inspirations from the temple architecture of India, fuses Middle Eastern and European influences, borrows the courtyard concept from traditional Indian architecture and comes together as one stunning piece of architecture that feels truly local! The idea was to make an impressive building that was sustainable, practical, and well-ventilated and makes a statement for Telangana which, as the youngest state in India, has emerged as the top state in power, food production, and one of the states with the highest GDP. And I think we have achieved that.
What are the key highlights of the design?
Each part of the building is a feat we still wonder how we achieved. The building features 34 domes and has four gateways aligned with the east-west and north-south axes. I employed a proposition system for the secretariat’s design. Each floor has a height of 14 feet, except for the top floor, which is 16 feet high, allowing for cross ventilation. Incorporating the heritage design of a courtyard in the middle, the secretariat symbolises cross-templation. Predominantly local materials have been used, except for sandstones from Rajasthan. The secretariat has been rated by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), emphasising its environmentally friendly aspects. My most loved feature is the 258-foot sky lounge, providing a 360-degree experience of Hyderabad in an instant, aiming to create a lasting connection with the building among people, including those from rural areas, for the next 115 years. The architectural design follows the proposition system of 1:2 and incorporates the golden mean, inspired by European principles. The front door, measuring 24 feet high and 22 feet long, is made of lightweight imported materials, while we are known for our use of Green White Marble. Glass-reinforced concrete was used, reducing construction time by 10 per cent.
Woah! That does sound like a lot. How is it being a woman in architecture in India and achieving and working on scales and projects of such significance?
After graduating from NIT Trichy, I joined the architecture field, becoming one of the few women among 3,000 male students. I then pursued architecture in the United States and worked in New York City, often being the only Indian woman in many professional settings. In the process, I witnessed significant changes in India, shifting from a male-chauvinistic to a more progressive society. And let me tell you, the Chief Minister of Telangana is extremely progressive and an American graduate himself. He was extremely respectful and very comfortable with me leading the project and equally unbiased as well. In fact, interestingly, the design also promotes gender and social equity, incorporating a temple, mosque, and a creche for working mothers, a decision agreed upon by the Chief Minister and the architects. Initially, the plan allocated only 10 per cent of toilet space for women, but the Chief Minister suggested having an equal number of toilets for both men and women, recognising that the workforce in the secretariat will have a 50 per cent representation of women in 3 to 5 years.
This project was underway during COVID. How did you manage to complete it in the specified time?
Despite the challenges posed by COVID, the project commenced with nearly 5,000 labourers working during the pandemic, a number that increased to 12,000 after COVID. While it was challenging, we faced the challenges head-on and even attempted to create a Covid-proof building incorporating cross ventilation air conditioning and natural lighting to minimise carbon footprints. Our material suppliers were a great support through the system, and we tried and selected all materials which were well-researched for India. For example, for the external building, we have utilised Maxx weather coat by Nippon Paint, which possesses antibacterial properties to prevent fungal patches on the walls. The cutting-edge Fr Putty with zero volatile organic compound content by Nippon was employed. Nippon Paint contributes to the Make in India initiative and promotes women-friendly practices through their CSR program, nShakti, which supports rural women in becoming painters and provides employment opportunities. The interior paint from Nippon is COVID-proof with clean roof technology, eliminating toxins and providing a healthier living environment. The durability of Nippon Paint is exceptional, I can attest to its quality, stating that if one wants a longer and healthier life, one should use Nippon Paint. Additionally, the price is reasonable.
Last but not least, how did you manage security?
In terms of security, the evacuation system was strategically planned with four gateways, ensuring easy evacuation in the event of an attack or fire. Every 30 meters, there were lifts, toilets, and fire extinguishers. The architectural design also considered Vaastu principles, with fortresses on two sides and grills on the other two sides. Furthermore, a duplicate security system from European technology was implemented, which is invisible and highly resistant to penetration.
This conversation was featured in the August 2023 issue. Read the e-magazine here!
