A New Addition to the National Council of Applied Economic Research in New Delhi

Founded in 1956 in New Delhi, the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) has long been recognized as India’s oldest and most authoritative independent nonprofit institution for economic policy research. Established by Jawaharlal Nehru, then prime minister, and supported by the Ford Foundation, NCAER supports decision-making and economic research to inform policy development, providing data-based insights for the Indian government and industry.

Vir.Mueller has reinterpreted the legacy of the existing building in its design of a new tower that combines the past with innovation, helping to reinforce the institution’s national identity while also preserving it.

History of the NCAER

The history of the NCAER is intrinsically linked to the evolution of modern India. Its original headquarters was designed by respected Indian architect Achyut Kanvinde, who used an austere, rigorous architectural language dominated by exposed reinforced concrete and monumental geometric forms typical of Brutalism.

In 2010, during a period when India was gaining increasing prominence on the global economic stage, NCAER embarked on an ambitious expansion project. Following the invitation-only competition, the project was awarded to Vir.Mueller Architects, which was entrusted with Kanvinde’s legacy and tasked with taking the institution into the future. The new complex was inaugurated in 2013 by Manmohan Singh, a world-renowned economist and then India’s prime minister, underscoring the civic and national significance of the project.

An architectural dialogue between past and present

Vir.Mueller Architects’ project is not a simple extension but a carefully considered architectural dialogue that complements yet preserves the existing building. The site is organized around a large central plaza, a civic space defined by the relationship between Kanvinde’s horizontal building and the vertical accent of the new tower.

The tower is distinguished by its red sandstone cladding, a homage to the New Delhi’s Red Fort Complex, a 17th-century fortress that symbolizes imperial power and Indian national identity. An independent conference center serves as the focal point of the entrance. The facility not only hosts NCAER lectures and internal forums but also public events, thereby strengthening the institution’s role in the capital.

The design team reinterpreted the modernist legacy in the new portico with its curving concrete entrance canopy. The use of exposed reinforced concrete on the façade augments the austerity and structural clarity of the original building, establishing a visual link between the two eras.

Flexible, sustainable workspaces

Vir.Mueller Architects’ design approach placed a strong emphasis on sustainability and workspace functionality. Offices are strategically oriented to the north and east to maximize natural light and city views while optimizing solar performance. Service zones, located to the west, act as thermal buffers, contributing to the complex’s energy efficiency.

Recessed windows with insulated glazing provide protection from direct sun and glare. The interiors are contemporary and state of the art, with administrative offices, flexible areas and open-plan workspaces for research teams, and, on every floor, a variety of formal and informal meeting spaces.

With its new architectural addition, the NCAER complex stands out as a civic landmark that reflects India’s deep cultural roots while showcasing an innovative design approach.

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Cover image: © Lokesh Dang