The new Bangalore International Centre complex is a free space

This new space in the city offers a new alternative to hangouts in town

February 25, 2019 03:41 pm | Updated February 26, 2019 11:03 am IST

Alongside better roads, an efficient garbage collection and disposal mechanism and so on, a world-class city also requires to build soft infrastructure, public spaces for all. The new Bangalore International Centre complex in Domlur is making an attempt to achieve that goal. The new premises is spread across 48,000 square feet and houses an auditorium, library, gallery, seminar rooms, cafeteria and so on. There is also a terrace and an amphitheatre .

V Ravichandar, BIC trustee and an urban expert says, “The Bangalore International Centre was set up in 2005 to promote conversations and showcasing art and culture. We were based in the TERI auditorium and conducted more than 750 events over the past 14 years. In this complex, we plan to conduct around 12 events every month. All functions organised by the BIC are not ticketed and free to the general public. We feel that it is one of the few public spaces in the city that offers so many options to the users. We also plan to rent out the premises to organisations for conducting their events.”

Bangalore International Center New Building
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರ� ಇಂಟರ�‌ನ�ಯಾಷನಲ� ಸೆಂಟರ� ಸಂಸ�ಥೆಯ ಹೊಸ ಕಟ�ಟಡ -ಪ�ರಜಾವಾಣಿ ಚಿತ�ರ
-Photo/ Krishnakumar P S

Bangalore International Center New Building
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರ� ಇಂಟರ�‌ನ�ಯಾಷನಲ� ಸೆಂಟರ� ಸಂಸ�ಥೆಯ ಹೊಸ ಕಟ�ಟಡ -ಪ�ರಜಾವಾಣಿ ಚಿತ�ರ
-Photo/ Krishnakumar P S

Speaking about the design, Ravichandar says, “The design brief was to achieve an innovative use of the limited site area of under half an acre and provide adequate spaces for multiple purposes including auditorium, seminar halls, gallery, library and café. We also wanted to make the use of space flexible and ensure that the area between the rooms are vibrant with a lot of natural light. We tried to make sure that principles of sustainability were followed.”

Bangalore International Center New Building
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರ� ಇಂಟರ�‌ನ�ಯಾಷನಲ� ಸೆಂಟರ� ಸಂಸ�ಥೆಯ ಹೊಸ ಕಟ�ಟಡ -ಪ�ರಜಾವಾಣಿ ಚಿತ�ರ
-Photo/ Krishnakumar P S

Bangalore International Center New Building
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರ� ಇಂಟರ�‌ನ�ಯಾಷನಲ� ಸೆಂಟರ� ಸಂಸ�ಥೆಯ ಹೊಸ ಕಟ�ಟಡ -ಪ�ರಜಾವಾಣಿ ಚಿತ�ರ
-Photo/ Krishnakumar P S

He adds, “The principal donors were Rohini and Nilekani Philanthropies and Wipro. Other major donors were Dr. Tom Kailath, Mohandas Pai, Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiative and Sukumar Srinivas. Members also contributed through corpus contributions. The name of the complex, Bengaluru Katte, was suggested by Rohini Nilekani. It represents a platform, a gathering space. and is similar to Ashwath kattes.”

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