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Cultural Heritage Cum Interpretation Centre, Varanasi: Detailed Synopsis
Cultural Heritage Cum Interpretation Centre, Varanasi: Detailed Synopsis
Aim
To develop a design solution of the project of cultural heritage cum interpretation
centre,Varanasi.
Introduction
Heritage is the best expression of the cultural identity of the community, of its civilization
personality. It’s one of the aspects of the creativity that a community has in store, where it
originates in individual or in groups.
Varanasi is considered to be one of the most important cities of India. The historic city of
Varanasi has been the important centre of cultural & heritage importance & has also been the
legacy of Indian civilization.
Since ancient times the natural and cultural landscapes of the city have retained an active social
role in contemporary society closely associated with the traditional way of life.The city is a
place of pilgrimage and a holy site for sacred baths in the Ganga River, to have a good death, to
get relief from transmigration, to learn and receive spiritual merit, etc. The city has still
maintained its traditions. In spite of several downfalls and upheavals, traditions are fully alive
even today.
Being the holiest city of Hinduism, the impact of the religion is found everywhere in the city –
the chanting bells and the monotonous, but oddly soothing, chant of Sanskrit hymns, in the
fragrant flower offerings, and the coloured powders that are sold in a myriad roadside shops
which decorate the foreheads of the devout, in the tens of thousands of worshippers and the
thousands who offer them salvation or services.
2|P age
Vivek Kumar Rai , B.Arch Final Yr Thesis (2011-2012)
Cultural Heritage Cum Interpretation Centre, Varanasi
Need of Project
City of Varanasi attracts thousands of tourists every year from all over the world
because of the Heritage Status granted to it by UNESCO. So there is an urgent
requirement of cultural centre in the city which could depict the mythology & the rich
cultural heritage of the city for which it is famous for.
Tourists or even the local people, who visit Varanasi, do not get a centre where they
could get the information about the culture, its heritage and mythology etc.
There should be a cultural cum interpretation centre in the city , from which people can
easily relate themselves and would also be able to learn & know the various facts
related to the cultural heritage & mythology of their city (specially at one place).
More & more people would get aware about its richness in culture, its history as how
did city emerged etc.
The structure would not only play a role of cultural centre for the city but would
generate the revenue , as there are a number of local people and touris ts visiting the
city , thus adding to the economy of the city.
Objectives of project
To identify the various cultural needs of the city in order to address them with quality
services in the best possible manner.
The image of the city will be transformed with the layers of cultural & the religious
diversity added to the fabric of the city.
To develop a effective spaces in the centre, so that people can easily relate themselves
to the city & its culture.
3|P age
Vivek Kumar Rai , B.Arch Final Yr Thesis (2011-2012)
Cultural Heritage Cum Interpretation Centre, Varanasi
Enhancing the stability and the firm establishments of the centre, thus enabling it to be
effective and positively accepted by the people of Varanasi.
It would be a centre which would act as a venue for recreational, educational, and
functional.
To understand how the cultural centre would become an urban part of the city.
The project will help in preserving the rich cultural heritage of the city of Varanasi.
The project will be the combination of the art, architecture and the communal heritage
of the city of Varanasi.
Sarnath , which holds a very important historical importance in the present scenario of
the city and thus having a cultural cum interpretation centre just adjacent to that would
certainly increase its importance in the city.
This project would help in promoting the mutual understanding amongst the people of
the Varanasi and would also help in relating each of them with their mythology &
culture.
Sustaining interest in the heritage, disseminating and teaching it the people visiting
there would not only promote the culture of the city but would also give a globalised
view to the city in upcoming days.
To develop the facilities & the amenities at the centre, so that the people can be served
in most functional & aesthetical way & also to create a perfect mood for the visitors,
which could help them in relating their soul with the city.
To generate more & more revenue from the tourists visiting Varanasi.
Site
Location
My site is located just nearby to sarnath ,Varanasi , which is quite historical &
sacred place considered in the city , as it could be the best one to suit the place
for cultural or interpretation centre.
Accesibility
Site can be approached from sarnath station road from sarnath monument to its
front side and ashoka road from the rear side.
Site is very near & can be easily approached from sarnath railway station.
Site Form
Site is basically linear in its form.
Context
Site is located in the vicinity of the sarnath monumental area , which holds a
very sacred and historic importance in the city.
It’s the place very maximum no. of tourists and local people visits.
Site Justification
My intention was to choose the site in city which falls in its land use zone and the building could
easily relate to its context & purpose.
So I, selected my site just on the precincts or surroundings of the sarnath which holds a very
important place in the city in terms of its cultural & historical importance. Throughout the year,
people from its own city as well as from the other countries visits here , because of its historical
importance. so having the cultural cum interpretation centre over here could be the best in
terms of its location & context to the project.
Possible occupancy
Possible occupancy would be the tourist and the local visitors.
5|P age
Vivek Kumar Rai , B.Arch Final Yr Thesis (2011-2012)
Cultural Heritage Cum Interpretation Centre, Varanasi
Location plan
Proposed site
6|P age
Vivek Kumar Rai , B.Arch Final Yr Thesis (2011-2012)
Cultural Heritage Cum Interpretation Centre, Varanasi
Basic Requirements
Administrative block
Reception
Managers room
Staff room
Meeting room
Cultural areas
Auditorium
Prayer halls
Conference room
Multipurpose halls
Banquet halls
Open air theatre
Interpretation area
Exhibition area
Audi visual rooms
Library
Other Areas
Restaurants
Cafeterias
Landscape areas
Parking
Services area
Any other activity, if required in the project would be added at the later stages.
7|P age
Vivek Kumar Rai , B.Arch Final Yr Thesis (2011-2012)
Cultural Heritage Cum Interpretation Centre, Varanasi
Methodology
Chapterization
Site analysis
Historic background of site
Climatic analysis
Contextual analysis
Networking
Site topography & vegetation
Literature study
Area analysis
Standards
Byelaws
8|P age
Vivek Kumar Rai , B.Arch Final Yr Thesis (2011-2012)
Cultural Heritage Cum Interpretation Centre, Varanasi
Case studies
Indian Islamic cultural centre
Cultural centre, Rome.(virtual)
Russian cultural centre
Design
Concept
Presentation plans, elevations, sections, site plans etc.
Bibliography
9|P age
Vivek Kumar Rai , B.Arch Final Yr Thesis (2011-2012)