State-owned Navratna public sector undertaking NBCC has constructed and refurbished the National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC), which was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Set in an elegant 19th century heritage bungalow in South Mumbai, the project involved refurbishing the historic Gulshan Mahal and constructing the state-of-the-art NMIC building. Accounting for a total built-up area of 12,000 sq m, the building has five floors and two mezzanine floors.
Despite facing challenges like a congested locality with minimal working space and restricted working hours with regulated sound decibels, NBCC managed to complete the project. The adoption of an unconventional method of construction was the solution to overcome these obstacles, which led to the incorporation of composite construction that offered the combined benefits of concrete and steel. A combination of prefabricated structural steel and deck sheets was used for the formation of NMIC’s composite structure. An engineering marvel, the NMIC project is NBCC’s first ever steel building structure.
Dr Anoop Kumar Mittal, Chairman & Managing Director, NBCC, says, “We are immensely proud to construct and restore an edifice that will narrate the rich history of Indian cinema. Completing a project that lies in the heart of a congested city without compromising on the quality of construction speaks volumes of NBCC’s capabilities and engineering expertise.”
Bearing the potential of a film hub, the complex is well-equipped with modern amenities and facilities, including expansive auditoriums, and houses a multipurpose hall that has been designed for movie previews as well as social functions, conferences and other seminars. Its design features a unique front elevation with inclined structural glazing that is supported by cable net with spiders and a glass façade that gives a 3D look to the structure. Also, the structure allows more natural light to pass through the building, making it highly energy-efficient. Besides, NBCC has also incorporated amenities like a sewage treatment plant and water management system, along with the use of energy-efficient construction material.
