“to invent a new future and to rediscover one’s past is one

gesture” The vision and mission of

Jawahar kala kendra

The power of walkability! Case study- Jawahar Kala

Kendra

Once upon a time…

In a world not so far away, lived a tribe of contented people… who loved communicating.

So much so that… if you were to walk past them wearing a cool shirt, they come by enquiring “hey…. Where did you get those? ” Or….

…they’d be saying something along the lines of “ oh! Honey… I ran into a high school friend of mine earlier today” when they return back home! Or….

They’d stop by on their way back after work-hours if they’d hear a beautiful piece of music!

… does the story ring a bell?

Pinterest VS…Window shopping

Facebook VS … “ oh! Honey… I ran into a high school friend of mine earlier

today”

Youtube VS … on your way back from home

The illusion of public space

Neighborhood park

Sporting activities (team and personal)

A place to meet people

Cater to large groups

Family environment

Mall Shopping and browsing

Place to meet friends

A place to watch people

Restaurants

Have we truly lost the art of understanding a public realm?

What makes JKK a public space?

Is it really a public space?

Multi-purpose space Multi modal transportation Mixed use development

Not privately owned

Site

Concept and Planning

(Jaipur and JKK)

Maharaja Jai Singh

The Navgraha Mandala (i.e the mandala of the nine planets, which scholars believe was the origin of the city plan of jaipur-with one of the planets moved to the opposite corner in order to avoid an existing hill)

profound believer in the newest myths of science and progress

Thus the city of Jaipur double coded like Jai Singh himself is truly extraordinary.

Thus the pink city of Jaipur somewhere was past of Indian art which was later discovered by late Shri. Jawaharlal Nehru thus this art center is dedicated to him. The plan was prepared by the noted architect. Charles Correa in 1986 and the building was ready in 1991. The plan is inspired by the original city plan of Jaipur, consisting of 9 squares which central square left open.

museum Lokhkala kendra

Café teria

museum madhya

varti administ

ration

documentation library

LAYOUT ACCORDING TO THE MANDALA

1.  the library is located in the house of Jupiter which traditionally represents knowledge

2.  the theatres are in the house of Venus representing the arts.

3.  The central square, as specified in the Vedic Shastras, represents creative energy.

4.  The administration is in the house of mars which represents power.

5.  The Museum I & Museum II are in the house of ketu & Saturn representing anger & knowledge respectively.

6.  The Lok Kala Kendra is in the house of mercury and represents education.

7.  The cafeteria is in the house of moon and represents heart.

8.  The documentation is in the house of Rahu and represents Restorer.

Age Groups of the users

18-25

25-35

35-50

50-80

Max. Density in context to Time of the day

10:00 -12:00

12:00 -2:00

2:00 - 4:00

4:00 - 5:00

Areas utilized for preforming activities

floor area ratio

theathre

museum I&II

administration

library

lokhkala kendra

madhyavarti

cafeteria

Leisure activities

Talking and discussing

Clicking pictures

Eating

Work activities

Administration

Waiters

Security guards

Laborers

Librarians

Inferences

The buildings in a contemporary metaphorical replication of the basic plan of the city of Jaipur, based on the vastu pursh mandala. The architect in his attempt to create a brand image for the historical city, has tried to get the essence of the existing form but superficially . 

The critical sustainable aspect of the traditional architecture of Jaipur has not been tackled well. 

The place has an amazing interplay of light , shadow and colors, evoking emotions in the user and invite him to move further.

The spaces flow as an narrative and changes the moods of the user, but the over all circulation lacks of continued covered corridor, which makes the place unusable during summers and  rains.

The open air theatre is only good to look at, it is enclosed by the high walls which create acoustic and ventilation problems at the time of crowd.

The high walls with no fenestration in the  façade makes the building enclosed and it does not open up to the city.

Permanent ramps to be made for the disabled.

Lack of space in washrooms closets as the door opens inwards.

heavy work force and expenditure required for fixing of the slabs which are used on the facades. (6”X 2”) and (2”X 4”)

the corners are sharp so any user who are handicapped has the tendency to get hurt.

the use of the porous red sandstone causes heat gain as it is a rough surface thus making the outer facades hot.

absence of chajjas on the outer façade causing penetrations of too much sunlight and rain. Thus causing water logging in areas such as the domes, and center courtyard and in all the transitional spaces.

Presence of round tables leads to a lot of unused space in the canteen. Moreover the L-SHAPED seating areas also creates issues in terms of congestion.

Too much flies leads to unhappy customers.

Addition of bird traps been provided to prevent birds from entering into the canteen premises.

Why walkability?

a reason to walk (balance of uses) a safe walk (reality and perception) a comfortable walk (space and orientation) an interesting walk (signs of humanity) This is what makes a place a happening and an attractive one.