Govt Buildings in the state to get aesthetic look

Chennai:

Does the new buildings built in the state recently lack aesthetic look
and design?


It is learnt that officials in various department have been asked to
come up with new designs so that the new buildings get a better look
and architects and builders have welcomed the move as a positive step.


Sources told Express that a directive has come from the top officials
that the new buildings should have a standard elevation which look
good with architectural inputs.


Now, the new buildings built in the state could soon get a aesthetic
look, sources added.


This comes after it was observed that some of the new buildings
constructed recently lack the aesthetic look.


It is learnt that school education department, housing department,
public works department (PWD) and home department has been asked to
prepare good looking elevations for each type of standard design
buildings.

“Many other departments have also been intimated,” sources added.

It is learnt that the department heads have been directed to submit
the designs soon. Sujatha Shankar, convenor, INTACH Chennai Chapter,
said that the move by the state government is a positive sign for the
city. She said the government buildings in the city, which is on the
proposal stage, could be given an aesthetic touch.


“They can be worked from the conceptualisation stage itself when the
structure is visualised,” she said.

However, for existing buildings, they can be upgraded on a case to
case basis. “There is no standard formula as some of the buildings
could be stone buildings or belonging to different period. There is a
need to review it on case by case basis. This is possible and it is a
positive sign for the city,” she said.


Pramod Balakrishnan, member of Indian Institute of Architects, Chennai
Centre, also welcomed the move. “It is a good idea that the state
government is having such idea. But it is difficult to change the face
of the building. However, they can change colour, texture, change
graphics or the environment,” he said.

“It is a great idea but it requires the need for professionals also to
 get involved,” he said while also lamenting the lack of sensibility
for heritage value in Chennai. “There is no respect for heritage of
any kind,” he said.

A Public Works Contractor Gunamani said that the builders can give
aesthetic look to buildings provided there is transparency in the
tender system. “There is so much of corruption in the tender system
that the contractor’s focus is just on completing the work rather than
on aesthetics. If the funds are properly utilised, the buildings could
be given aesthetic touch,” said Gunamani.