The Hindu 08.11.2010
Ripon Building annexe in six months
| It will have a basement floor, ground plus five floors with a total floor area of 1.35 lakh sq. ft. |
Work on the annexe building is expected to pick up pace. —
CHENNAI: An annexe for Ripon Building, which would house all the departments of the civic body, would be ready in six months, according to Mayor M. Subramanian.
Inspecting the construction work on Saturday, he said, “The building will have contemporary pattern and postmodern style but some elements of regional architecture.”
Some design elements would suit the colonial architecture of the Ripon Building, he added.
The new building would fulfil many of the requirements of a green building but is not likely to seek a green certification.
It would have a basement floor, ground plus five floors with a total floor area of 1.35 lakh sq. ft.
The basement floor would be exclusively for parking vehicles. A modern conference hall with banquet facility is part of the new structure, being constructed at a cost of Rs.22.17 crore. “After completion of the new building, the ground floor of Ripon Building will be used for organising a permanent exhibition on Chennai's heritage,” said Mr.Subramanian.
The Chennai Corporation has asked the contractor to speed up work on construction of the annexe building.
The restoration of the Ripon Building is also under way. On completion of the restoration work, only offices of the heads of departments would be based in the Ripon Building.
