Prime minister Tony Blair this week opened a new building for the British Council at its Indian headquarters in Delhi.
Michael Squire and Partners, in association with the British Council’s head of architecture Emma Vergette, designed the Knowledge and Learning Centre, which is designed to help people who want to study in the UK.

Blair opened the centre as part of his attempt to improve relations between India and Pakistan. The countries are in a tense stand-off over terrorism and the disputed Kashmir region.

The Delhi centre is the first of its kind and is a pilot for other British Council offices in India and the rest of the world.

It has a multimedia library with extensive IT facilities, designed using glass screens to separate spaces yet give a sense of accessibility to visitors.

Currie & Brown was the quantity surveyor and project manager, and the local architect was Saby Sen Architects.