WAPDA House in Lahore, Pakistan by Edward Durell Stone [1967]. Located on Mall Road, serves as

WAPDA House in Lahore, Pakistan by Edward Durell Stone [1967]. Located on Mall Road, serves as the headquarters of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).

“Around 33 kanals and 6 marlas of land were purchased and the existing Mela Ram and Jodha Mal buildings were demolished to make way for the site on Mall Road, where the building now stands. The total construction cost was estimated at ₨42,643,000.^[7] Former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto described the project as a symbol of neocolonialism, and called it a “white elephant” due to its enormous cost at the time.^[7] Construction was initiated in October 1963 and completed in 1967.^[1][2]The civil works and electrification were performed by local engineering firms.^[1]Around 17,000 tonnes of cement and 5,650 tonnes of steel were used for the construction, along with a large quantity of wood, plate glass and other masonry materials.^[1]

[…]

WAPDA House is oriented into three wings, each with its own entrance: The Mall wing, which provides the main entrance; the tower section, which faces the Charing Cross and Shahdin Manzil; and the Egerton Road wing which faces the Punjab Assembly Chambers.^[1] The sub-basement contains parking spaces, and a 400 seat WAPDA Auditorium that is used as a venue for conferences, seminars and public events. The auditorium is equipped with a stage and wide screen projectors.^[1] A sunken garden is located in front of the building which is influenced by Mughal themes.^[1]

The first floor includes a prayer space for employees. All floors are serviced by a set of lifts, and contain centralised washrooms.^[1]The building is centrally air-conditioned.^[5] Several years ago, the basement lobby housed the now closed Saloo’s Restaurant which was open to the general public.^[3]”