AusLeisure

Global architecture firm Populous has won the masterplanning and architectural contract for the design for Delhi's new Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Set to be India's premier venue for major conferences and exhibitions, this is the second design commission of a convention and exhibition centre (COEX) for Populous in India this year - the first being for a large scale tiered seating plenary hall in Bangalore in April.

The new commission is for the redesign and masterplan of Pragait Maidan, a prime location of over 124 acres, in central Delhi, owned and managed by the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the trade promotion agency of the Indian Government's Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Pragati Maidan is host to India's largest consumer goods exhibition, the India International Trade Fair, which draws over three million visitors every year.

Populous' role is to advise and plan on a long term phasing strategy, creating a 30 year masterplan for the ITPO for the redevelopment of the complex in multiple phases.

All projects in Asia are managed from the key Populous office in Brisbane, with Senior Principal Andrew James, who directs projects in India, explaining that the first phase will include the world's best practice design of a 100,000 metre2 exhibition and convention centre space.

James states"India's growing middle class and developing economy has created a highly competitive marketplace, attracting top class business events from around the world, as well as from within India, as every State vies for a unique position on the international stage."

Populous has an global portfolio of design of large scale venues such as stadia and convention centres including the London 2012 Olympic stadium, 2014 Asian Games stadium in Incheon, South Korea, Qatar National Convention Centre Expansion, Phoenix Convention Centre and Anaheim and San Jose McEnery Convention Centres in California, USA.

Populous has also recently met the mayor of Suzhou in China to discuss its tender for the city's new sporting complex.

Populous Senior Principal Paul Henry said the company's Asian success has been a result of establishing a strong network and reputation on the domestic stage, along with support from the Queensland Governement.

Henry explained "we built Australian projects, including the joint design of the Sydney Olympic stadium and then Suncorp stadium in Brisbane, before the State's global agency, Trade and Investment Queensland, assisted us to expand our portfolio overseas."​

2nd July 2012 - BIGGER SEATS AT PERTH STADIUM TO BATTLE HOME COMFORTS

28th April 2012 - POPULOUS TO DESIGN NEW CONVENTION CENTRE IN BANGALORE 

2nd April 2009 - POPULOUS - DRAWING PEOPLE TOGETHER

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