The structural theme of these factories has been a steel lattice roof organised to derive strength by shape as is the case in concrete shells. The latest design is a series of octagonal framed roofs organised on a 20m x 20m grid and supported on tapered lattice columns. The roof structure consists of 5cm. diameter steel pipes on a triangular grid, and is covered with a reflective roof of corrugated sheet metal.
The earlier version is a series of hyperbolic paraboloids: placed alternately and opposite, so that their meetings form an "X" arrangement on the vertical plane – thereby providing convenient surfaces for glazing between the intersecting roof elements.
The steel frame consists of 30cm. diameter pipe columns on an 18m x 18m grid. The roof structure is an intersecting grid of small "T" section members forming a lattice which supports reinforced wood-wool insulation covered with conventional tat felt.
Because it is well sloped, the roof is maintenance free and has proved very practical.
Chatterjee, Malay. "II: 1960 – 1974: The Journey Back from Chandigarh, the Evolution of Contemporary Indian Architecture." In Architecture In India, 136. Paris and Milan: Electa Moniteur, 1985.
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- Escorts Factories. Faridabad: Stein, Doshi and Bhalla, 1985.