Introduction-:

• The science city was conceived by the National Council of science museum and its first of its kind of an
educative and entertainment park set up in India.
• The site is located at the junction of eastern metropolitan bye pass and park circus connector with ITC
Shonar Bangla Sheraton and towers in the front and energy park on its eastern side.
• Almost a rectangular shaped site is formed on the barren garbage dump land with degraded soil on top 6m
layer of the site.

• Architects- Development Consultants pvt. Ltd.

• Completed- 1997
Parking is available for 500 cars and 5 buses.

A network of sandstone
paved lanes connect the
various buildings on site.
One entry is from the Park Circus- East
Metropolitan Bye Pass

The secondary entrance leads to the Gate Complex of

An internal lane 7.5m
Science City through a landscaped plaza and the other
wide forms a loop
to the convention center.
around the site and exits
at the rear gate.

Zones-:
The complex is divided into the following zones:

1. Public:
• Gate Complex- 1352 sqm.
• Space Odyssey Hall and Dynamotion- 9200 sqm.

The internal roads are 15m wide to the 2. Semi Public:

entrance and the parking. • Convention Centre- 23117 sqm.
Built and Open Space Relationship: • Main Auditorium- 2232 sitting capacity
• Mini Auditorium- 392 sitting capacity
F.A.R. provided- 0.34 • Seminar Halls- 6 in number

Ground coverage provided- 16.62% i.e. 33426.38 sqm 3. Private:

• Administrative Areas
• Service Areas
Total built up area provided- 68,284 sqm.
Architectural Form-:
A variety of shapes is chosen for different blocks gives each block a separate identity but does not complement the site.

The domical form of the space Odyssey and the descending spiral of the Dynamotion hall resemble a massive ziggurat.

The convention centre is in the form of two split spheroids depicting a titled saucer and a huge truncated spherical cone
rising one behind the other.

The science park is square in nature.

Globe at Science City Garden

Space Theatre
Convention Centre

Convention Centre & Seminar Complex Refreshment Spot Dynamotion hall

Dynamotion
• The word Dynamotion is derived from dynamic motion.

• It is a structure that houses a 28 meter high exhibit called the rolling ball which shows the dynamics of a
large number of rolling balls moving in different trajectories proposed by mechanical, pneumatic and
hydraulic forces to demonstrate various aspects of physics in a fascinating manner.

• It is 38 meter high structure with a spiral shaped ramp around a central atrium.

• The form is a ‘Ziggurat’ 38m high with a spiral shaped ramp around the center.

Dynamotion Hall

Parking

Architectural Form:
The descending spiral of the Dynamotion hall resemble a massive ziggurat.

It is planned as inward looking building with a closed atrium.

 The continuous display of the energy ball in the center appears to the right of the visitor in
Dynamotion Floor Plan-: whole journey to the podium level of 4.96m.
Fire escape ramp having slope of 1:12 runs parallel to the main ramp and ends with
staircase to the podium and then 2 staircases from podium to the ground.

•The central atrium houses the exhibit.

•The ramp around the atrium allows a continuous

The ground level plan consists of a view of the Rolling Balls from all directions at all
huge 5 storey descending atrium; levels.
containing a huge energy conservation
ball display rising up to the full height of •The atrium and ramp create a transparent interior
the atrium with water exhibits at the space which is visually connected at all levels:
base. making the space more active and dynamic.

Right opposite to the entry, two 16 passenger lifts

takes you up to the top level of 24.6m high ramp.
From here a visitor descends his journey down on
a spiral ramp 4.5m wide ramped gallery.

The hall has two symmetrically placed galleries to

the longitudinal axis of the building containing insect
model displays and water based experiments and
exhibits. Opposite corner of the rectangular hall
have services rooms such as electrical room and
store.

 The ramped gallery contains exhibits like illusions, world of insects and
fishes on the left hand side of the ramp for convenient watching.

 The outer wall of the ramp is used as display area for various displays.

Structure and Material-:

• Structure system is bulk active.
• The complete structure is supported on two non concentric rows of 16 columns each on a spiral base.
• The top of the atrium is together with steel joists and glass on the top for provision of light.
• The structure is finished with stone grit all around.
 Circulation-:
• The circulation pattern offers a memorable experience inside the minds of general visitors and imparts a clear sequential character of the building.
• Unidirectional flow of visitors is maintained from entry to exit.
• The exit to the main building is through the staircase which leads the passenger to the ground from the 1 st floor.
• The ramp is 38 m high spiral shaped and 4.5 m wide.
• The spiral ramp provides uninterrupted view of ‘Rolling Balls’ at all levels and sides.
• Service entry is common with the visitors entry and in the ramp it continues on the outer ramp.

A forced circulation pattern by a unidirectional and spiral Once the visitors has viewed the ground floor exhibits; he takes the
ascending circulation ramp 5’-0” wide is followed throughout elevator to the top floor at a level of 24.6 m.
the exhibition area.

Open fire escape ramp running

parallel to the main ramp.

Fun exhibits on the top floor

arouses interest in minds of the
visitors. The terrace provides a breathtaking
view of the surrounding landscape.

Beautifully displayed aquariums

in the wall of the 4th floor
Aquarium displays in the wall

Special 5’-0” wide galleries with

2’-0” wide catwalk at the back for The complete structure is supported
servicing insects and aquarium. on two non concentric rows of 16
columns each on a spiral base.

Various insects displayed in the

walls of 3rd floor.
Interest arousing exhibits like your
Also a service gallery 2’-0” wide is
cricket capabilities
provided for servicing.

Quick sand and waves display as water exhibits

Science related exhibits on 2nd floor
Various automated displays of animals and insects, also some water based
displays and experimental exhibits are displayed on the ground floor. The
•Vortex like big displays at the entrance. participatory displays are placed at a height of 3’-0”.

Open exhibits such as automated insects models.

 Lighting-:
• As the major buildings are exhibition spaces, so lighting needs to be carefully analyzed to meet the requirements of these spaces.
• A large expense of natural lighting provided from the central atrium by a steel and glass sky light which gives a glare free and enough lights to lit the whole building. However,
deeper areas and galleries especially insects and aquarium are provided with fluorescent tubes and halogen lights wherever required.
• Due to the inward looking, demand of enclosed nature and giving the outer façade of the building a window free surface due to extra ordinary forms. A system of lights that is
followed is:

Skylights:-

Provided in the central lobby which connects the Dynamotion hall and the space odyssey and hence lights the
whole area with blue light.

A skylight is also provided in the main atrium of the Dynamotion hall which avoids the wastage of displaying area
and lit the whole building.

Artificial Lighting:-

Done by fluorescent tubes in the halls.

Further the exhibits are provided with fluorescent tubes and halogen lights.

Structural Glazing:-

The ramp in the Dynamotion hall is lit with structural glazing provided at various distances which
provides glare free light and also serves as a point for the overall view of the science city.`

•These methods of lighting not only lit the interiors but also provide a sense of openness within the building.
•The skylight in the buffer zone provides ample light to the common entrance of the Odyssey and Dynamotion
 Toilets Store Room
Services-:
HVAC:
Around 900 sq. m of sheet metal ducting has been used for the building.

The chilled water and condenser pipes exceeds 5km. In length.

Fire Fighting:
Fire detection system has been installed within the building with smoke detectors in all the sensitive
areas.

Apart from these detectors and alarming system water sprinkler system is installed at all the stage
areas, service areas for which a water tank of 2,00,000 gallon is built near mini auditorium.

Electricity:
Requirement for the whole project is 4.5 mva and the power is received from Kolkata electric supply ltd.
at 11kv voltage level.

For emergency, diesel generators are used and solar energy is used for water heating and all the
lighting.

Dynamotion Inferences-:
• The major part of the light is provided by the steel and glazed skylight in the central atrium.
• It provides sufficient light for the whole building.
•The structure is also quite comfortable as it is air conditioned, the displays
• The ramp system for displays is successful method. are accessible and easy to understand.
• The parallel ramp for service and fire is a novel and good idea. •The overall planning of the place is good with comfortable walking
• The exterior has grit finish and this helps it to be unified with the Space Odyssey. conditions.
• Overall zoning and segregation of entries is required where there is a large public movement.

Science Museum, Kolkata Inference

Building Typology Closed atrium with inward looking Enclosed atrium or block type with light
building courtyard
Light and Ventilation Skylight from central atrium gives Natural and glare free light needed for
ample light visibility.
Circulation Forced, sequential, non confusing and Simple and sequential but easy to
overall interesting understand.
Structure System Heavy column beam with R.C.C. spiral Spanning should allow flexibility in
system. circulation
Indoor-Outdoor interface None- except in terrace Indoor outdoor interface is required

Zoning Proper zoning of Public and Semi Zoning should be done as per activity
Public Area with careful planning of and well interlinked.
private zones.