CONNAUGHT PLACE

-ARNAV, SIBTAIN, PRACHI, NABH

Connaught Place (officially Rajiv Chowk) formulated as the Central Business District for the
Imperial Government, is now one of the largest and most prosperous financial, business and
commercial centres of India. Modern day Connaught Place, not just forms the physical centre
of the city of Delhi but is also a crucial cultural and commercial hub. It is one of the most iconic
public spaces of Delhi, accommodating trade, commerce, recreation, leisure and daily living,
forming a comfortable yet vibrant habitat. Conceptualized as a market for the elite British
crowd showcasing formality and flamboyance unlike any given chaotic Indian market place.
Driving the inspiration from Georgian architectural style and a driving similarity with the Royal
Crescent in Bath, England (semi-circular), it covered a full circle with a two storied structure
with majestic hallway pillars partially open, creates a hallway which is comforting and easy to
house the large population of Delhi that flocks to this central hub of Delhi. Moreover, planned
radial roads (eight in number) increase its connectivity margin to different parts of Delhi geo-
graphically.

Folly

We designed follies keeping in mind the architectural style of Connaught place which is inspired
by Georgian architectural style. We tried to incorporate the elements of Georgian architectural
style such as proportions and symmetry as a general rule, constructed from bricks, grand
entrances with decorative features such as arches, columns, pediments, fanlight windows and
crown moldings. The follies are designed in circular and hexagonal forms as it depicts the plan
of Connaught place and its settings in radial and star pattern. Our follies represent the built
structure in Connaught place and gives experience to the users of the city and direct them
towards the Central Park of this area, a famous venue for hosting many cultural events and
concerts.

Grid pattern

The Aerial view of Connaught Place clearly depicts the way this place was beautifully and logi-
cally designed in the shape of a circle with two radial circles namely inner and outer circles.
Eight radial roads stretch out of the inner circle of Connaught Place like the wheel spokes and
twelve radial roads stretch out of the outer circle of Connaught Place leading you out of this
centre and connecting it to the other parts of Delhi. So grid points are placed on all the major
nodes of the city where all the major roads are connected on inner and outer circular plan.
MAP OF CONNAUGHT PLACE
FOLLY DESIGNS