MINUTES OF THE 1639th MEETING OF THE DELHI URBAN ART COMMISSION (DUAC) HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 03, 2022.

A.   The minutes of the 1638th meeting of the Delhi Urban Art Commission held on 24.02.2022 were confirmed and approved.

SL. No.PROPOSALOBSERVATIONS /SUGGESTIONSDECISIONREMARKS

B.

Action Taken Report in respect of Minutes of 1637th meeting held on 17.02.2022.

1. Action Taken Report in respect of Minutes of 1637th meeting held on 17.02.2022 was discussed.

Noted by the Commission.

C. PROJECT PROPOSALS:

1Demolition and Reconstruction Building plan proposal in respect of Commercial building at Plot no. 42, MPL no. 4953, Block G, Bharat Ram Road, Daryaganj.

1. The proposal was forwarded by the South-DMC (online) for consideration by the Commission.

2. The building plan proposal for demolition and reconstruction received (online) at the formal stage was scrutinised and the following observations are to be complied with:

a) The Commission observed that the proposal is located at a prominent area (Daryaganj, Old Delhi) and cannot be studied in isolation i.e. it needs to be reviewed in conjunction with the surrounding facilities, therefore, 3D views of the site shall be superimposed with the existing context of the surroundings including road networks, structures around the site, for better understanding of the proposal in the actual environment to make it clearer.

b) The Commission observed that the building proposal is situated in the Old Delhi (Darya Ganj area) the façade of the building looks very gaudy and is also not contextual to the surroundings i.e. does not match the heritage character of Old Delhi. Thus, the Commission suggested that elevation needs to be redesigned with better architectural features (some elements could be in harmony to the context of the surroundings), elements, form, materials etc. by exploring the possibility of using natural materials similar to the character of Old Delhi (like exposed sandstone, bricks etc.). The extensive use of glass should be more aesthetically detailed/designed and its use shall be rationalised.

c) The project is submitted at the Formal stage, should submit detailed drawings of sections (longitudinal and cross-section across the site as well) and elevations.

d) Also, the skin sections (in detail) shall be submitted to understand the elevation of the façade with materials. The sun-shading/weather-proofing design elements are missing in the submitted elevation. The same is to be incorporated in the design and be re-submitted.

e) The location of the car lift to be such that it is directly accessible from the road to ensure uninterrupted vehicular movement to the basement and the stilts. Also, the installation of the car lift shall be ensured at the site to avoid discrepancies at the completion stage.

f) The Commission observed that currently, the submission does not show any structural (columns etc.) arrangements. Once it is superimposed on the parking and furniture layout, modifications might need to be made in the layout, thus it is required to incorporate structural details to ensure smooth functioning of the layout.

g) The plumbing shaft is also missing in the layout and needs to be designed appropriately with screening. The size of the toilets is big and can be designed more efficiently, i.e. the layout, fixtures and the shaft be such designed that it can be efficiently functional.

h) Air-conditioners/ outdoor units could be an eye-sore to the building façade. To avoid the same, the provision shall be made in the design to accommodate the air-conditioners/ outdoor units in the design so as not to mar the urban aesthetics of the facade. Therefore, a scheme needs to be submitted to show the placement, screening and material of screening for the same in plans/elevations and 3d views.

i) Sustainability features shall be as per point no. 7 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

j) All plumbing pipes, service equipment, solar panels, water tanks etc. should be camouflaged appropriately (in terms of the point nos. 10, 11 & 12 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

3. The architect is advised to adhere to all the above observations given by the Commission and resubmit the design proposal along with pointwise incorporation & reply.

Not approved, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

2Building plans proposal in respect of Govt. Pucca School Building at East Vinod Nagar.

1. The proposal was forwarded by the PWD GNCTD (online) for consideration by the Commission.

2. The Commission did not approve the building plan proposal at its meeting held on January 27, 2022, specific observations were given.

3. The revised building plan proposal received (online) at the formal stage was scrutinised along with the replies submitted by the architect in response to the observations of the Commission communicated vide DUAC observation letter no: OL-19012261003 dated 03.02.2022. Based on the replies submitted and the revised submission made, the following observations are to be complied with:

a) The triple stack parking provisions shown in the proposal have been considered by the Commission to achieve the requisite parking requirements. The architect/proponent shall ensure its actual execution at the site and the same shall be examined at the time of receiving the proposal at the completion stage.

b) Sustainability features shall be as per point no. 7 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

c) All plumbing pipes, service equipment, outdoor air-conditioning units, solar panels, water tanks etc. should be camouflaged appropriately (in terms of the point nos. 10, 11 & 12 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

Approved, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

3Building plans proposal in respect of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Headquarter Office Building at Plot no. 11(B), Vasant Kunj.

1. The proposal was forwarded by the CPWD (online) for consideration by the Commission.

2. The building plan proposal received (online) at the formal stage was scrutinised and the following observations are to be complied with:

a) The main signage on the façade is not comprehensible i.e. it seems too thick to be readable. The thickness to be reduced along with the change in colour i.e. black or neon colour to be used for the signage.

b) Work of art shall ensure to be in terms of the public art provisions as stipulated under point no. 14 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

c) The emblem provided on the façade is to be of suspended nature i.e. not permanent so that it can be maintained if required.

d) The terrace plan shows the open to sky staircase which would not be fit for use in case of rainy weather conditions, necessary arrangements shall be ensured to be made for harsh weather conditions.

Approved, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

4Building plans proposal in respect of Multi-Level Car Parking at Nehru Place District Centre.

1. The proposal was forwarded by the DDA (online) for consideration by the Commission.

2. The Commission did not approve the building plan proposal at its meeting held on November 11, 2021, specific observations were given.

3. The building plan proposal received (online) at the formal stage was scrutinised and a detailed discussion was held with the architect on Cisco WebEx Meetings, wherein the architect provided clarifications to the queries of the members of the Commission, the following observations are to be complied with:

a) The diagonal feature in elevation with HPL cladding does not seem appropriate and is strongly suggested to be removed. Instead, the façade to be such designed that it accommodates the designed space for hoardings. A scheme for the placement, size etc. of the hoardings to be made and submitted along within the design so as not to mar the aesthetics and its surroundings. Also, the provision and location of signages shall be considered in the submitted scheme.

b) The pattern in the GRC jaali is suggested to be changed from diagonal diamond-shaped to vertical lines to improve upon the façade. Also, since the parking is going to be housed in an existing complex with a typical architectural character, certain elements are to be drawn from the same to maintain harmony in design.

c) 115 nos. of car parking is proposed on the terrace level, but the details including 3d views etc. for the same are missing. An appropriate number of 3d views, clearly depicting the placement of solar panels, functioning of the parking etc. shall be submitted to understand the scheme better.

d) Sustainability features shall be as per point no. 7 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

e) All plumbing pipes, service equipment, outdoor air-conditioning units, solar panels, water tanks etc. should be camouflaged appropriately (in terms of the point nos. 10, 11 & 12 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

4. The architect is advised to adhere to all the above observations given by the Commission and furnish pointwise incorporation & reply.

Not approved, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

5Layout and Building plan proposal in respect of Staff Quarters for Safdarjung Hospital at Sector-17, Dwarka.

1. The proposal was forwarded by the CPWD (online) for consideration by the Commission.

2. The Commission did not approve the layout and building plan proposal at its meeting held on November 18, 2021, specific observations were given.

3. The revised layout and building plan proposal received (online) at the formal stage was scrutinised along with the replies submitted by the architect in response to the observations of the Commission communicated vide DUAC observation letter no: OL-16112162016 dated 01.12.2021. Based on the revised submission made and the replies submitted, the following observation is to be complied with:

a) The proposed design for the boundary wall and gate shall ensure to have certain architectural elements drawn from the proposed building façade to maintain harmony in the overall design scheme.

b) Sustainability features shall be as per point no. 7 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

c) All plumbing pipes, service equipment, outdoor air-conditioning units, solar panels, water tanks etc. should be camouflaged appropriately (in terms of the point nos. 10, 11 & 12 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

Approved, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

6

Building plans proposal in respect of New Building at Todapur for Functioning of Traffic Offices. (Conceptual stage)

1. The proposal was forwarded directly by the architect (online) at the conceptual stage for consideration by the Commission.

2. The Commission did not accept the concept of the building plan proposal at its meeting held on December 02, 2021, specific observations were given.

3. The revised building plan proposal received (online) at the conceptual stage was scrutinised along with the observations of the Commission communicated vide DUAC observation letter no: OL-24112127082 dated 09.12.2021 and a detailed discussion was held with the architect on Cisco WebEx Meetings, wherein the architect provided clarifications to the queries of the members of the Commission. Based on the  revised submission made and the discussion held, the following observations are to be complied with:

a) It was observed that in terms of the earlier observations of the Commission communicated vide DUAC observation letter no: OL-24112127082 dated 09.12.2021, inadequate compliance for this has been given.

b) Since the proponent is envisioned to redevelop the whole campus in future, it is suggested to prepare a master of the entire site planning (including future developments) to be conceptually formulated and designed considering the maximum permissible FAR, so that all possible developments (including future developments), parking requirements, consolidated green spaces etc. are included in the proposal and the buildings can be constructed in a phase-wise manner.

c) Also, considering the size, the requisite parking provisions made in the basement seems to be not workable/efficient. The size of the basement shall be revised and made bigger to accommodate maximum car parking and the freed-up spaces can be put to judicious use including open greens, recreational spaces etc.

d) Air-conditioners could be an eye-sore to the building façade. To avoid the same, the provision shall be made in the design to accommodate the outdoor units, at this stage, so as not to mar the aesthetics. A scheme needs to be submitted to show the placement, screening and material of screening for the same in plans/elevations and 3d views.

e) The design should include all the aspects including built-up, open spaces, landscaped green areas, parking requirements (with underground connections) etc. to be considered to prepare a comprehensive scheme.

f) Sustainability features shall be as per point no. 7 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

g) All service equipment should be camouflaged appropriately (in terms of the point nos. 10, 11 &12 of the CPAA (Criterion for Project Assessment and Approval) are available on the DUAC website at www.duac.org.in.

4. The architect was advised, to reconsider the overall design scheme, its impact on the visual, environmental, and urban aesthetics of the complex/area and accordingly prepare a complete master plan of the campus with a fresh approach, taking into consideration the future requirements and adhering to the above observations & furnish pointwise incorporation & reply.

Found conceptually unsuitable, observations given.
The Commission decided to take action in the matter without awaiting confirmation of the minutes of the meeting.

The following were present at the Meeting of the Commission held on Thursday, March 03, 2022, from 02.30 PM onwards:

1.      Shri Ajit Pai, Chairman, DUAC

2.      Prof. (Dr) Mandeep Singh, Member, DUAC

3.      Shri Ashutosh Kumar Agarwal, Member, DUAC

4.     Smt. Nivedita Pande, Member, DUAC