Government buildings are generally dull and drab and are not associated with aesthetics and architectural splendour. However, in recent times, at least the Karnataka Government has taken interest in the aesthetical aspects of its buildings. One such building constructed in recent times is the Vikas Soudha (adjacent to and not to be confused with Vidhana Soudha.) Another splendid example is the rainbow-inspired building on Bannerghatta Road - Jal Bhavan, corporate office of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board.

The building has been designed by architect Anil Bhaskaran, MD of Initiative for Design Excellence in Architecture (IDEA), who has designed innovative and high profile projects like the Infosys Mangala Complex and Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram in Thirumagondanahalli in Anekal taluk. Jal Bhavan is said to be the first eight-floor, arched building in the world built at a cost of Rs 8.3 crore on a 22,000 sq ft site.

It uses new building techniques such as raft foundation. Normally Government buildings are associated with delays and cost escalation, but Jal Bhavan was completed in a record 11 months.

Foreign connection
Raft foundation construction is typically used overseas and is slowly migrating to India. In this technique of building the walls become load bearing, since there are no foundation posts. The technique is useful in less than optimum soil conditions (rice paddy) or areas where a lot of fill dirt has been used. The reason is that the foundation now floats on the surface. With the foundation columns there can be stress cracks or worse, in poor soil conditions. The normal foundation column method is normally fine given average soil conditions.

Pleasing sounds
As one enters through a neat pergola, the sound of gurgling water welcomes one to Jal Bhavan. The entrance is inviting, and on both sides of the lobby are the ground floor offices occupied by different firms. The interiors done by the architectural firm use motifs of the elements to put visitors at ease. The laser-cut and inlaid pieces of wood on the doors show the sun and its rays, and the same motifs are repeated elsewhere. A yin-yang design on the polished floor sets the tone for a building that is aesthetic and practical. The building has a wonderful view of the blue sky, lots of air — and no hum of air-conditioning. There is no need for air-conditioning even in a building of this size, if there is enough cross ventilation and minimum use of glass.

Former Chief Minister S M Krishna is said to have been so impressed with Jal Bhavan that he had requested for a room there. He would often work from the solitude of the Jal Bhavan clearing pending files. One would presume that everything is fine about this building. Well, not quite so. The building is located on traffic intense Bannerghatta road and the energy one would get from working in this building would be dissipated in the traffic jams.