Bhubaneswar: The state-of-the-art Krishi Bhavan here is getting ready to open by June with the government's implementing agency almost nearing completion of the project.

The three-storey structure with a built-up area of about 80,000sqft will have a learning centre, public library, auditorium, garden, plaza and display corridors. It will serve as a museum of the state's agricultural produces. The rooftop will also be open to the public as a demonstration of urban farming.

Sources said visitors to the place would be able to get an insight into the state's agriculture potential and get the benefit of looking at local building materials that have been used to construct the building.

"The building is constructed with three colours of brick that represent the colours of the local soil. The facade is of a brick-louvered structure that acts as a solar shading device and expresses itself in the pattern of local weaves through colours of the bricks," said an architect engaged in the construction.

Officials said the entire city or the state at large did not have a building constructed with such a unique design.

"We used laterite stone as bricks to give a different look to the outer parts of the building. At first sight, anyone will get the impression that it has a sari-like design," said an agriculture department official.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for the building in 2013. The government had initially decided to construct it for official purposes before amending the plan to dedicate the first floor for public viewing along with the garden and public plaza in the outer part.

"I was mesmerised to see the building's design at first sight. I wondered what it could be and was hoping that the government was constructing some kind of a museum. It is a good plan to dedicate such a beautiful building to agriculture. Odisha is an agriculture-rich state and the visitors to the state should know it," said Unit-IV resident Nityam Mohanty.

Once the facility is inaugurated, people will be allowed to use the plaza without restrictions as a free-flowing area connecting pedestrians from the street. The project aims to promote local materials and looks at new ways of integrating craft in a contemporary environment.