From Government Press to Heritage Centre: Chandigarh's Architectural Evolution
Chandigarh Chord | Where ink once flowed, history now takes flight
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
The Government Press Building in Sector 18, Chandigarh, designed in 1953, has been transformed into the Indian Air Force Heritage Centre, inaugurated in May 2023. This Grade-1 heritage structure symbolizes the city's journey from a hub of governance to a celebration of its air force history.
- 01The Government Press Building was India's first glass-façade building, designed by Edwin Maxwell Fry in 1953.
- 02It served as the official printing press for the Chandigarh administration, producing vital government documents.
- 03The building has been converted into the Indian Air Force Heritage Centre, showcasing vintage aircraft and memorabilia.
- 04Inaugurated in May 2023, the centre preserves the stories of India's air warriors.
- 05The transformation highlights the importance of maintaining heritage in a rapidly modernizing city.
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The Government Press Building, located in Sector 18 of Chandigarh, was designed by Edwin Maxwell Fry in 1953 as India's first glass-façade structure. It served as a vital printing facility for the Chandigarh administration, producing government documents in a space that was both functional and architecturally advanced. With the evolution of technology, the building fell silent but remained a significant heritage site. In May 2023, it was repurposed as the Indian Air Force (IAF) Heritage Centre, which now houses vintage aircraft and memorabilia, including a MiG-21. This transformation reflects a poetic shift from a site of governance to one that celebrates the stories of air warriors, grounding Chandigarh's modern identity in its historical roots. The building stands as a testament to the city's journey and the importance of preserving functional heritage in a rapidly changing environment.
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The transformation of the Government Press Building into the IAF Heritage Centre enhances cultural tourism and provides educational opportunities about India's air force history.
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