Chandigarh based architect Sarbjit Singh Bahga won the Celebration of Architecture Award for his designs of Multipurpose Sports Stadiums in Punjab. The award was conferred on him in a glittering function organized by Business India Exhibitions Pvt Ltd at Inside Outside Mega Show on March 15, 2012, Chandigarh. According to Mumbai- based master jury’s citation, the award is given to Mr Bahga,” felicitating excellence in the ingenious usage of architectural literacy in the design and construction of economically viable multi-purpose sports stadiums, making them totally adaptable for varied sporting events.” Jury examined five stadiums at Bathinda, Mansa, Sangrur, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur and Amritsar which were designed and constructed in a record time of one year for World Kabaddi Cup 2011.
Sarbjit Bahga has 32 years of practical experience and is presently working as Senior Architect in the Punjab Mandi Board, Chandigarh. His completed works include an eclectic and impressive range of medical, educational, administrative, and commercial, sports and residential buildings. His buildings are interesting and responsive to function, climate and materials. He is a staunch modernist and an ardent, yet not blind, admirer of Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Louis Kahn. Bahga takes special interest in the overall development of profession of architecture and improvement of built-environment. He is an active member of many professional associations including the Indian Institute of Architects. His contribution to architecture has been largely recognized and his buildings/articles have been widely published in many architectural journals and books.
The design of each stadium incorporates mainly three components i.e., play fields as per international standards, open seating steps for public and a covered seating pavilion for V.I.P. spectators The V.I.P. pavilion has been designed for a seating capacity of 1500 persons. The design of the pavilion is governed by the factors like comfortable viewing angles, international norms for seating, provision of necessary facilities for players, besides the time and budgetary constraints. Meticulously designed pavilion accommodates changing rooms for players, wash rooms, pantry, lounge, entrance foyer and offices at ground level that is underneath the seating steps.
RCC framed structure has been adopted up to seating level with brick masonry infill walls. The canopy on the seating area is designed in pre-engineered steel structure which has been introduced first time in such buildings in the state. This structure has an edge over the conventional structures as it proves to be more precise, hassle free, economical and less time consuming. The structural components like pillars, girders, purlins etc., were designed as per exact requirements and manufactured in factories with great precision. These components then brought at sites and assembled in short span of time, thus meeting deadlines for World Kabaddi Cup.
The overlapping period of civil construction at site and manufacturing of pre-engineered components in factories saved precious time and money – the two major constraints. Apart from providing basic facilities to players and spectators, the pavilion added a grandeur and contemporary look to the entire stadium. Being located in the small district level towns of Punjab, these stadiums with international style of architecture have become important landmarks in the areas. The sports fraternity in particular and public in general feel proud of this infrastructure in the state.