Krushi Bhawan is a government complex in Bhubaneswar (Odisha, India) that defies the expectations of an office building morphology by letting the state’s rich cultural heritage seep through its site.

The humble design by New Delhi’s firm Studio Lotus borrows from local vernacular techniques to embed itself into its neighbourhood and the communal values of its people. A major feature is its striking brick facade, inspired by the Ikat patterns of Odisha’s handlooms.

Krushi Bhawan’s facade is made of clay bricks in three different colours that symbolise the state’s geographical diversity.
© Andre J. Fanthome

The designers took inspiration from Otto H. Königsberger‘s original vision for the capital, injecting the four-story, 140,000-square-foot complex with lively nodes of public life. Thus, the ground floor is freely accessible to the public: its plaza opens out to the street, an outdoor auditorium and a garden of native flora are popular gathering spaces.

A naturally-ventilated veranda serves as a common area for employees to eat together or take breaks.
© Andre J. Fanthome

The plaza and the rooftop have been designed to host exhibitions and workshops, encouraging occupants and visitors to congregate and interact. The departmental offices, having their access restricted, are located on the upper floors.

Krushi Bhawan also pays tribute to Odisha’s diverse culture by giving local crafts centerstage. Over 100 artisans have been employed to create its compelling narrative on agricultural tradition and mythological tales. Dhokra screens — a tribal cast metal speciality — hand-carved khondalite lattices and a bas-relief in laterite are some of the accents giving the ground level its signature cachet.

By integrating regional skills and upholding the economies linked to them, the project articulates a way for governments to play a vital role in promoting domestic craftsmanship.

Local crafts and vernacular techniques lend the communal spaces a sense of place.
© Andre J. Fanthome

Tapping into the wisdom of indigenous construction methods

The structure embraces traditional courtyard planning principles to meet its sustainability objectives. The inclusion of a stilt level maximises air circulation. Balconies, a double-skin facade and low wall-to-window ratios have helped lower internal heat gain to 40%.

The staggered profile along the courtyard further blocks direct glare. Such assets, coupled with a simple night-purging system, account for the high thermal comfort achieved internally. Mechanical air-conditioning factors in only 20% of the built areas.

The reliance on locally sourced materials has also lowered the carbon footprint of the construction process. The emphasis on indigenous techniques and skills unlocks a roadmap for developing countries like India looking for a practical way to adopt more sustainable measures.

The building relies entirely on passive cooling to reduce ambient temperatures.
© Studio Lotus

The double-skin facade cuts down on heat gain while ensuring the interiors receive daylight.
© Studio Lotus

At the core of Krushi Bhawan’s design and building strategies lies a commitment to honour the uniqueness of Odisha, its people and their heritage. By bringing them into its fold, it underscores the importance of indigenous ways of thinking.

The complex, built by the people and for the people, embodies the values of engagement, inclusivity and collective identity through the vocabulary of its built mass.

Krushi Bhawan stands as a model of sustainability and vernacular knowhow for government facilities in India.
© Andre J. Fanthome

Krushi Bhavan received the World Architecture Festival 2019 Highly Commendable Award in the Office Building category. It also won the JK Architect of the Year Award 2020. Listen to the story behind building Krushi Bhawan in our podcast: Ambrish Arora, Studio Lotus: The reflective practitioner