CAPITOL COMPLEX A GEOMETRICAL ANALYSIS

CHANDIGARH

This presentation is made by the students of Chandigarh College of Architecture under the

guidance of Ar. Sohan Lal Sahran (Vice Principal CCA)

Varun KumarVarun Mohapatra

Nikita KakkarArun Khosla

MASTER PLANNING AND SITING OF CAPITOL

ALBET MAYORSuperimposed planning in accordance to existing contours of the site

LE CORBUSIERStrictly followed grid pattern

• UPPER EDGE OF THE CITY

• PERMIT VIEWS OF THE CITY FROM WHATEVER

PERSPECTIVE

• SPLENDID BACK DROP OF THE RIDGES

• SYMBOLIC HEAD OF THE CITY

SITING OF THE CAPITOL ON URBAN SCALEPresent Status

•The capitol complex as the focal point of the city , both visually and symbolically.

•The ceremonial approach to capitol complex was projected as a wide tree lined boulevard , bounded on one side by parkland and on the other side by multi storey buildings.

Le corbusiers sketch for chandigarh – square containing the cross axis

The capitol was planned as :

•The Head of the city

•Detached

•Contrast to the traditional india

cities where the important

government functions were located

in the centre of the city

THE MONUMENTAL APPROACH TO CAPITOL: JAN MARG

SHIVALIK HILLS

The features that le corbusier emphasized in the urban structure of chandigarh :

•The structural network as a unity

•Tying together

•Developing and becoming denser

These features are COMPLETELY REJECTED IN CAPITOL

On the contrary , the enormous distance between the buildings is quite astonishing element.

PROPOSED MUSEUM OF KNOWLEDGE

PIAZZA

• The plaza was to give expression to the expanse of space.• Plaza conceived as crossing of two axes : High court - Assembly Governor’s palace - City centre• The axis from the city centre towards the governor’s palace is an excavated trench, to conceal it

and maintain the continuity of piazza and landscape.

Governor’s palace

City centre

Assembly High court

In Le Corbusier's original CONCEPT , the Capitol was to consist of the edifices consisting of

I) Secretariat

ii) Assembly

iii) High Court

iv) Governor's Palace.

Besides these main buildings there were also to be a number of monuments based on Corbusier's personal philosophy -- to adorn the piazzas and the open spaces between the edifices.

I) The open hand

Ii) Martyr’s memorial

Iii) Geometric hill

iv) Tower of shadows

However, the proposed Governor's Palace was later changed to a more democratic institution called the Museum of Knowledge. Although all other structures of the Capitol have been built , sadly the pivotal structure of the Museum of Knowledge has still not been built, leaving Le Corbusier's great masterpiece somewhat like a unfinished symphony.

ELEMENTS NOT CONSTRUCTED

•GOVERNORS PALACE AND GARDEN•PATHS DIRECTING TO THE BUILT SPACES•CANAL IN FRONT OF THE COMPLEX•OBELISKS AT THE CORNERS OF THE SITE

HIGH COURTASSEMBLY

SECRITARIAT

GOVERNER’S PALACE

MARTYRS’ MEMORIAL

OPEN HAND

TOWER OF SHADOWS

GEOMETRIC HILL

PALACE GARDEN

ELEMENTS ESSENTIAL OF THE PLAN

ELEMENTS NOT CONSTRUCTED

ELEMENTS NOT DESIGNED BUT CONSTRUCTED

EXTENSION

RAJENDRA PARK

ELEMENTS NOT CONSTRUCTEDGOVERNORS PALACE AND GARDENPATHS DIRECTING TO THE BUILT SPACESCANAL IN FRONT OF THE COMPLEXOBELISKS AND THE CORNERS OF THE SITE

SELECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF DESIGN PROPOSAL

ELEMENTS DESIGNED BY LE CORBUSIER BUT NOT CONSTRUCTED

•The absence of the governor's palace, deprives the composition of the focus of the cross axis.•The palace, by it's placement to the left of the initial approach to the to the complex, was intended to create focal point deflecting the line of vision moving past it to the horizontal, standing as a sculptural object against the mountains. •The incomplete composition makes the distances appear larger. •The pathways perhaps may help in unifying the site.•The canal was to fuction as an isolating of the capitol. •The obelisk were to introduce the distance element of the scale, besides unifying the composition, •Elements modified Alterations in the shape of mounds and configuration of relief has altered the spatial enclosure, as it was desired.

ELEMENTS NOT DESIGNED BY LE CORBUSIER BUT CONSTRUCTED

•It is essential for the extensions / interventions to respond to the basics of the le corbusier's composition for order. •Rajendra Park to some extent is a continuation of the links from the capitol. Not designed by le corbusier as a part of the capitol, No references available on the concept and composition.

MODULAR MAN V/S CAPITOL COMPLEX

• Vital geometry for monumemantal landscape

Thus desired for the city

• Weave the fabric of built and inbuilt together in the complex.

• Positioning of the buildings superimposing the modular man.

Upper hand-secretariatHead-assemblyWaist-tower of shadowsKnee-high court

MODULAR AND ITS IMPLICATION

• Golden section

• 1:1.61

• Arithmetical figure derived from nature Implied to design of new innovations to get

the desired spaces and volumes fundamental in nature

GEOMETRICAL ANALYSIS

• Corbusier took a square of 800 x 800 meters

•Then divided the square in equal halves.

•Then drew a diagonal line in one of the achieved rectangle by division of the sides, and then extended the diagonal line outside the rectangle.

a b

aa + b

11.61

•GOLDEN RATIO RULE Then applied his Golden Ratio Rule in the square to achieve the line on which the Assembly Hall was placed

•With the line achieved by the Golden Ratio he drew a square of the same dimensions i.e. 400x400 m taking that line one of the sides of the square.

•Then an arc was drawn from the square ,the point where the arc intersected the rectangle, was the point where the axial line of the High Court was derived.

GOVERNOR’S PALACEOPEN HAND

HIGH COURTASSEMBLY HALL

GEOMETRIC HILLSECRETARIAT

GOVERNOR’S PALACE

OPEN HAND

HIGH COURT

GEOMETRIC HILL

SECRETARIAT

ASSEMBLY HALL

Security checkpoints

Guarded Area

Restricted Area

Public Area

SECURED AND PUBLIC ZONES

THE SEGREGATION OF CIRCULATION:

•The vehicular circulation was supposed to be depressed and the pedestrian

circulation at the higher plaza level.

•This system was not fully executed as envisaged.

•The pedestrian link to the plaza was not realized.

•Later on the access to the capitol buildings became more vehicular ignoring the

pedestrian.

•Presently no segregation of pedestrian and vehicular circulation.

•Integration of the site with pedestrian - Parking areas next to pedestrian access.

•The Assembly Hall is separated from the piazza by a gate and wire fence.

OFFICIAL MOVEMENT

VEHICULAR MOVEMENT (present)

PUBLIC MOVEMENT

PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT

AS PLANNED MOVEMENT

PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT

ACTUAL MOVEMENT

PRESENT DAY REQUIREMENTS

•The focal point of the capitol, the governor's palace essential for complete spatial

experience of the capitol.

•The governor's palace/museum of knowledge building may not be feasible in the

present context but a footprint of the building and the adjoining garden may serve the

notion.

•Pathways essential to integrate the site.

•The intended configuration of the relief and mounds may be possible but the levels

envisaged by le corbusier are not feasible.

•Perhaps some extensions can be restructured to be responsive to le corbusier's

composition. Since Rajendra Park not designed, as an integral part of the capitol may

not be restored, is not in the scope of the project. Perhaps it may be left as an expanse

of space, conforming to Le Corbusier's idea of the setting of the Capitol.

• INFORMAL ENTRY AND

EXIT.

• NO DEFINED SUFFICIENT

PARKING RESULTING IN

PARKING ON THE SOFT

LANDSCAPE

• PHYSICAL AND VISUAL BARRIERS AS BARBED WIRE

FENCING SPLITTING THE OPEN SPACE AND HINDERING

PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION.

• THE IDEA OF UTILIZING THE SPACE AS CIVIC PUBLIC

SPACE IS HINDERED, LEAVING IT ONLY FOR THE

BEAUROCRATS PARKING

GOVERNOR’S PALACE / MUSEUM OF KNOWLEDGE

• According to Le Corbusier Governors’ Palace was the CROWN OF THE CAPITOL.

• Palace was for the governor so the largest dimension of the modular were taken, so the scale grew double, resulting in the palace for a GIANT.

• The main reason it has still not been built was that it hindered the very concept of democracy and secularism.

•In the original plan of the city the Capital Complex had included a mansion for the Governor at a site located between the Legislature and the High Court. Subsequently, it was decided that in the context of a socialistic pattern of society, one need not go in for a palatial building for the Governor.

•In its place it was suggested that a Museum of Knowledge and Laboratory for Scientific Decision Making may be constructed.

•It is a tribute to the far-sightedness of Le Corbusier that he visualised the important role that new developments in electronics could play, both for audio-visual presentation, as well as for marshalling of data as an aid to decision making.

•Based on the four postulates laid down by Le Corbusier -- ethics, sociology, economics, technology -- the museum would be a state-of-the-art building with discussion rooms, seminar rooms, research facilities and a library-cum-research centre. It will also house an exhibition/display room with all related facilities.

•Envisaged as “a space for the people” by its designer it should be constructed in order to complete the Capitol which is such a renowned work of Corbusier.