The Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, now known as the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library, is one of the most understated examples of Brutalist architecture in New Delhi. As noted in Design magazine,1973, the building is
“set on a raised podium, a design concept which gives it the necessary scale yet avoids the temptation of needless monumentality. The scale of the podium, combined with the rugged, raw concrete interiors and the ribbed, hammer-textured exterior with its curved surfaces, imparts a sense of dignity and strength, the qualities symbolic of the man in whose memory it was built.”
An advertisement in the same magazine described it as the capital’s most elegant example of exposed concrete architecture.
The Nehru Memorial Library was proposed as a memorial to Jawaharlal Nehru by the Government of India in 1966 and was designed by architect Mansinh M. Rana. The building was contracted to be constructed by Amarnath Charanji Lal Engineers and Contractors. The foundation stone was laid by Smt. Indira Gandhi on 27 May 1969, and the building was dedicated in January 1974 by the then President of India, V. V. Giri. A subsequent annexe, designed to complement the original structure, was also conceived by Rana, maintaining the architectural language and material character of the main building.
This building reflects the key characteristics of Brutalist architecture through its form and material expression. The profile has deep curved surfaces at the corners and on the roof, constructed using ferrocement. The façade is finished in ribbed, hammer-textured concrete, achieved by casting the material in fluted or negative formwork to create these patterns, followed by hammering to expose the aggregate, resulting in a rugged, tactile surface.
The exterior presents a striking combination of bold geometry and textured finishes, enhancing visual interest and the interplay of light and shadow. Despite its dramatic façade, the building remains modest in scale, imparting a sense of simplicity and humility. Inside, an exposed coffered concrete ceiling continues the Brutalist language, with lighting fixtures carefully integrated, reflecting influences from the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, with whom Rana had apprenticed.
Located within the Teen Murti compound and planned around a central courtyard, the building features three primary spaces: the library, seminar room, and auditorium, along with other ancillary functions. Although the building is centrally air-conditioned, it was designed with the flexibility to isolate and cool specific areas as needed. The building’s design is guided by its proximity to the historic Teen Murti House, embracing the principle that new architecture should harmonise with its surroundings while expressing its own character. Thoughtfully positioned large windows offer expansive views of the Teen Murti lawns, ensuring that all users experience a strong visual connection to the landscaped gardens and enjoy a calm, inspiring environment.
While the ground level accommodates an auditorium with a separate entrance, the main reading room with stacks, and additional functions, the basement houses the air-conditioning plant and other utilities. Two staircases and an elevator provide access, one of which leads directly to the reading rooms on the first floor, which houses the library and other associated spaces. The seminar room is located directly above the porch on the first floor. At the time of construction, the total covered area of the building was approximately 52,000 sq. ft., with an annexe added at a later stage.
The building has been well-maintained, with no significant alterations to its original construction. The original form, fabric, and finishes remain intact, exhibiting only the effects of natural ageing over time, and the building continues to receive visitors from across India and abroad.
Sources:
- Interview: Kshitij Rana, Architect, son of Mansinh M. Rana
- Design incorporating Indian Builder, The Nehru Memorial Library, September 1973
- “How Nehru’s favourite architects shaped modern-day Capital“
- “Mansinh M. Rana 1921-2012: Celebrating the architect“, a talk by Mr. Kshitij Rana
- Building Blocks: Modern India Grows on Fertile Land
Credits:
Prashansa Sachdeva, Research Associate
Varda Sami & Maryam Mustafa for Meaningful Design Labs, Photography support
Keywords:
ribbed concrete, hammer-textured, ferrocement, fluted formwork, coffered concrete ceiling
