Western Extension, 1940s
Location : Karol Bagh
Agency : The Delhi Improvement Trust
The Western Extension was planned by the Delhi Improvement Trust in response to the expanding population of the city, offering many rehousing to individual plot options. These particular apartments showcase a unique style for its time, running along the entire road length, in a rhythm created by bulging staircase towers, which are adorned with vertical jaali and plasterwork relief details. Another protruded portion between the towers is rendered with soft curving edges which balances the rhythm and further divides the facade. Balconies on the first floor would originally have had cement ornamented grills, as can be seen on a few retained portions. Additionally, patterned metal grills and porthole windows also mark its Deco features.
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Image Copyrights : Deco In Delhi References : AK Jain, 'Colonial Delhi', 2015
Symmetrical Facade
Facade having symmetrical division of mass and features along the central axis, usually the entrance of the building
Central Staircase Tower
A cylindrical / helical staircase tower situated either at the centre or edges of Deco style buildings marking staircase shafts. The Flat-roofed towers are ornate with patterned jaalis and additional features such as bandings and flutes.
Smooth Cement Finish
Smooth cement plastered surfaces often with bandings or mouldings in plasterwork.
Boundary Wall Profile
Boundary wall profiles accentuated with the use of stepped recessed geometries in rectangular or curving forms detailed with flutes and ornamentation