World Bank

Set within a listed building in Delhi’s Lodhi Estate, the World Bank Office transforms an inherited architectural asset into a contemporary workplace that aligns institutional purpose with environmental responsibility and human wellbeing. Rather than treating heritage as a constraint, the project views the existing building as a repository of memory, material intelligence and spatial character, using adaptive reuse as the foundation for a future-ready workplace.

The design is guided by a simple proposition: the most sustainable building is often the one that already exists. Existing architectural elements, including coffered ceilings, vaulted volumes and timber components, are carefully restored, re-exposed and integrated into the new workplace environment, preserving embodied carbon while retaining the identity of the original structure.

Within this framework, the workplace evolves from the formal geometry associated with institutional environments into a warmer, more human-centred setting shaped by light, materiality and subtle references to Indian craft traditions. Locally sourced sandstone, terracotta, lime plaster and repurposed timber are paired with recycled and low-carbon materials to create an environment that is simultaneously contemporary and rooted in place. Patterns inspired by local craft, handcrafted textures and a restrained palette establish a distinct cultural context without resorting to symbolism or ornamentation.

The project aspires to LEED Platinum standards through low-VOC materials, advanced filtration systems, indoor air quality monitoring and responsible material sourcing. Flexible planning strategies allow collaboration spaces, meeting rooms and work areas to adapt over time, supporting organisational growth while extending the building’s long-term usefulness. Wellness, inclusivity and biophilic design principles are embedded throughout the workplace, reinforcing the idea that performance is measured not only through efficiency but through the quality of experience it offers its users.

The result is a workplace that demonstrates how heritage conservation, sustainability and contemporary work culture can converge, creating an environment that honours the past while supporting the evolving needs of a global institution.