National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) is an educational initiative of SEBI (Securities Exchange Board of India). In securities markets, NISM is already recognised all over the world.
NISM entrusted the work of project management consultancy to Central Public Works Department (CPWD), a government organisation. M/s Hiten Sethi & Associates were appointed as consultants of the project.
NISM was allotted 70 acres land by MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) at Patalganga, Rasayani in Raigarh district located at about 75 kms from Mumbai International Airport on Mumbai-Pune expressway and is on right side when one travels from Mumbai to Pune. Though almost adjoining to the expressway, there is no direct entry to the campus from the expressway due to government regulations, hence one has to enter the campus from the village side. The land is in three plots, measuring 53 acres, 10 acres, and 7 acres. The institutional buildings and hostels were designed in the plot of 53 acres while residential buildings in 10 acres plot. Plot of 7 acres area has been reserved for future expansion.
Figure 1: Designer's view of NISM campus
Architectural Concept
As shown in Fig. 1, the architectural concept of main campus is based on an axis passing through orientation block, centre of academic blocks and library. All infrastructure facilities are planned on both sides of this axis. There are two gates, one main gate which is near orientation block and rear gate near hostels. The recreation block and library are planned in such a way that they are close to the hostels. The hostels are connected through a corridor to amphitheatre, dining hall, and academic blocks. Main entry to the campus for the visitors is through orientation block in front of which two water bodies are created.
The following facilities are designed in 53 acre plot;
- Orientation block
- Academic blocks (4 Nos, housing administrative offices also)
- Library
- Amphitheatre
- Auditorium
- Dining hall
- Hostels (3 No’s for students and 1 for MDP executive trainees, total of about 1000 capacity)
- Recreation block
- Utility block for services
Structural concept
All the buildings are designed as RCC structures with required earthquake-resistant design. The hostels and residential block are G+7 storeyed structures while academic blocks and orientation block as G+2 storeyed structures. Dining hall is designed below open air theatre to utilise the space.
All the buildings except utility block are designed as air conditioned buildings.
Figure 2: Casting of post tensioned slab in progress
Some portions of the slabs of the academic blocks have been designed as post tensioned slab (Fig. 2). It has given the advantage of higher headroom required for air conditioning.
Services
To avoid excavation during repair and for easy maintenance, all the services like external water supply, fire and electric cables except sewer lines were taken through trenches.
New Building Materials
Speciality of the project was use of large numbers of new and innovative materials both in construction and interiors. Some of them are being discussed below:
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Blocks
Factory made AAC blocks (Fig. 3) have been used in all masonry work. The blocks have low density (about 550 kg per cum) and are eco-friendly. Apart from the light weight, they have good acoustic and insulation properties. The blocks reduce the weight of structure and also produce quality construction.
Figure 3: Use of AAC blocks in residential block
Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) Panels
GFRC panels have been used in the façade of orientation block. As may be seen in Fig. 4, external surface is curvilinear, and thus, a material for cladding was searched which may fit exactly the architectural design envisaged. Simultaneously, it was the requirement that the material is weather-proof and durable. Due to suitability of GFRC panels, they were adopted as they could be manufactured in any shape.
Figure 4: GFRC panels in the façade of orientation block
Hot dipped galvanized M.S framework and brackets were used for supporting the GFRC panels. Minimum thickness of GFRC panels was adopted as 15 mm, whereas, thicknesses at return flange/embedded location was kept as 50 mm. The panels were strengthened by providing sufficient nos. of horizontal and vertical stiffeners of stainless steel grade 316 of required shape and size as per design requirement.
The panels consisted glass fibers of @ 3.5 to 5% by weight, silica, white cement and admixtures. Water repellent coating was applied on the panels by dipping panels in required solution to withstand atmospheric conditions.
Post tensioned slabs
As already mentioned, post tensioned (PT) slabs were used in some portions of academic blocks. This provided additional headroom for the services. Additionally, such construction has advantages of higher clear spans, thinner slabs, lighter structure, reduced cracking and deflections, reduction in storey height resulting into more storeys in same height, rapid, quality and skilled construction, and higher loading performance. It has to be ensured that the slab is not drilled during lifetime of the structure as it may damage pre-stressing (Fig. 5) and lead to failure.
Figure 5: Casted PT slab an academic block
After placement of steel and tendons, concreting is first done except at the end from where stressing is done, excess length cut and grouting carried out around the tendons.
False ceiling and wall panelling
Figure 6: Designed false ceiling in orientation block
Figure 7: Anutone Salon Slats Plus false ceiling
Large numbers of patterns have been used for false ceiling and wall panelling in the project providing elegant looks as shown in Fig. 6-13. Some of the special false ceilings used are Anutone Salon Slats Plus false ceiling and panelling in selected lecture halls, recreation block etc. Cloud false ceiling has been used in the dining hall.
Figure 8: Cloud false ceiling in dining hall
Figure 9: Designed false ceiling in Board Room
In the auditorium, not only false ceiling and acoustic arrangement but interior provides an elegant look.
Figure 10: Panelling pattern in lobby of academic blocks
Figure 11: Anutone panelling in lecture halls
Figure 12: Panelling and column cladding in the lobby of auditorium
Figure 13: False ceiling, stage flooring and other interiors of auditorium
Floorings
Various types of new and innovative floorings have been used in the project including traditional flooring like vitrified tiles and granite floorings. Special flooring includes squash court flooring (Fig. 14 ), wood plastic composite flooring (Fig. 15 ), wooden flooring (Fig. 16), pattern of polished, flamed and leather finish granite flooring, Italian marble flooring etc.
Figure 14: Mapple hardwood squash court flooring
Figure 15: Wood plastic composite flooring on swimming pool deck
Figure 16: Wooden flooring in faculty room
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Geofoam Blocks
Such blocks have been used in lecture halls (Fig. 17 and 18) on first and second floors of the academic blocks for construction of steps. The blocks are very light, and thus, help in weight reduction. Due to light weight, their handling and placing is also easy. In the present case, density of the blocks used was 21.6 kg per cum.
Figure 17: Laying of Geofoam blocks
Figure 18: Finished steps with Geofoam blocks
When used in the walling, particularly in partition walls similar procedure can be adopted except that wire mesh should be provided on both sides of the wall.
Stamped concrete
Stamped concrete (Fig. 19) or patterned or textured or embossed concrete is provided to resemble a required pattern, may be brick, stone, slate, tile or wood. It is used for footpaths, walkways, driveways etc. In the project, it has been provided at number of locations such as near academic blocks, library, orientation block, open-air theatre etc. It has also been used in the landscape of hard areas integrated with green areas.
Figure 19: Stamped concrete in the path leading to library
In laying stamped concrete, base was prepared with RCC, though, if sub grade is found suitable, it can be provided with plain concrete also. Over the concrete layer finished to the grade, colour hardener is added of the required shade in the fresh concrete as specified, troweled and floated. Approved release agent is then applied evenly to the troweled surface before stamping.
While the concrete is still in plastic stage, required stamping tools are applied to the surface and curing carried out as specified.
Figure 20: Structural glazing in academic blocks
Figure 21: Structural glazing in the entrance of auditorium
Glass
Though glass is a traditional material but its special use in various allocations makes it innovative. Glass has been used in structural glazing (Fig. 20 and 21), staircase of the library (Fig. 22), skylight windows of connecting corridor of the hostels near dining hall, faculty rooms (Fig. 23), balcony railings of the hostels (Fig. 24), partitions in toilets and other places, doors, etc. Glass mosaic tiles have been used in a wall of the swimming pool (Fig. 25)
Figure 22: Glass used in steel staircase of the library
Figure 23: Glass partitions
Figure 24: Use of glass in balcony railing of the hostels
Figure 25: Glass mosaic pattern on a wall of swimming pool
Other new materials
Apart from the above, PVC drain covers in the overflow drain of swimming pool (Fig. 26), acoustic boards in library (Fig. 27), steel staircase with glass balustrade in staircase of the library, Wi-Fi-enabled class rooms, Aluminium louvers in academic blocks (Fig. 28) and dining hall (Fig. 29) etc, have been provided in the project.
Figure 26: PVC overflow drain covers in the swimming pool
Figure 27: Acoustic panel boards in the library
Figure 28: Aluminium louvers in the academic blocks
Figure 29: Aluminium louvers in dining hall
Namaste furniture in lecture halls
Namaste furniture is manufactured by M/s Godrej Interio. It has been provided in all the lecture theatres. The furniture has the speciality of having all the facilities like plugs for laptops, foldable chairs and desks occupying fewer footprints while not in use (Fig. 30 and 31). Interactive learning and broadcasting facilities have also been provided in the lecture halls.
Figure 30: Namaste furniture in 78 pax lecture hall
Figure 31: Namaste furniture in 150 pax lecture hall
Green Building Features
All green building features have been provided required for qualifying as 4-star and the project registered for 4-star GRIHA rating. Some of the green features include LED fittings, AAC blocks, green building materials, sewage treatment plants, rain water harvesting system, solar water heating and solar PV panels systems, water recycling, energy efficient air-conditioning system etc.
Inauguration: The project was completed in December 2016 and inaugurated by the Prime Minister in presence of Finance Minister, Governor of Maharashtra and Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
At present, the campus is fully functional.
References
http://www.constructionspecifier.com/white-light-and-out-of-sight-geofoam-applications-for-infrastructure-and-building-projects/
Tender Documents for the work invited by CPWD
