The Directorate of Town and Country Planning at Hyderabad is adapted to a severe hot and dry climate. The design boldly covers the working spaces with a 'parasol' in the form of a large "A - frame" structure, supporting aluminum louvers, which completely shades the interior from sunlight. A green house effect results! This device, first explored in the Cochin Refineries Limited corporate headquarters building will reduce the air-conditioning cost. The cost of the "A- frame" will be recovered in five years, the cost of the air conditioning system in nine years and the cost of the entire building in forty-two years.
The scheme employs a generous atrium garden to create a civic space separated from the chaotic life of the busy road it abuts. Placed on the south side, this space acts as a thermal cushion between the hot-dry exterior and habitable spaces with in. A fine water mist falls from the "A- frame" into dense foliage cooling the protected working area. Similarly the structure employs ambient northern light, minimizing the use of artificial illumination. Solar heaters, perched on the vertical service cores, add visual counter-point to the horizontal design.
