Structures of Power, Spaces of the Collective Semester 04, Architecture Design Studio, KRVIA Faculty: Adwait Adke, Ankush Chandran, Apurva Parikh, Ginella George, Kunal Sharma, Nikhil Khadilkar, Mayur Gujare & Rutika Parulkar. Princely states of India have quietly existed alongside the metropolitan urban centres and rapidly growing agrarian and industrialised tier 2 & 3 cities. These cities, distributed through the length and breadth of the country in different geographies, landscapes, climatic zones, etc. are erstwhile centres of power that exhibit a unique character that lives through cultural practices, and history as evident in the city form & architecture. Integrated with the newly formed nation-state of India, these cities found themselves in a unique position. City form, architecture and cultural practices that were designed, built and functioned as spaces for exercise of governance, geared towards the servicing of political power, were now faced with a power vacuum, forcing a reinterpretation of their function, relevance and importance. This point of departure has given rise to a conflict of identity and function. Rich in historical objects & culture, they face a threat in the new decade, radical change in the fabric, future as imagined only through planning tools and technological solutions. The future imagined for these cities is no longer tethered to their legacy, but simply a product of the mainstream narrative of what a “global” city needs to be. The fourth semester Architectural Design studio (for the next 3 years) is built around the idea of exploring the relationship of power and its manifestation in architecture and the city. An effective way of studying this relationship is to study situations where a shift of power has occurred and observe the way architecture responds to this change. Alwar This year, the studio has selected the once princely state of Alwar to explore and intervene. Alwar State was a kingdom from 1770 to 1818 and a princely state under British rule from 1818 to 1947. The last reigning ruler, Maharaja Sir Tej Singh Prabhakar Bahadur, signed the accession to the Indian Union on 7 April 1949. The city today, lies equidistant from the two main cities in the region, Jaipur & New Delhi. Alwar, along with Bharatpur were included in the NCR in 2013, but did not benefit either in terms of growth of infrastructure and development. In 2020, the State Government of Rajasthan, has proposed these two cities to be included under the Smart City Mission citing potential in tourism and industrial based development. Under this new imagination, the historic city of Alwar, located in close proximity to both Jaipur and Delhi, will witness a boost in investment which will drive rapid changes in the city. The Smart City Mission will bring with it transport projects to promote regional connectivity, model industrial zones and IT parks for economic growth and infrastructure projects such as the metro. In the face of rapid growth, the city faces a future where a ‘new city’ of Alwar grows outside or along the peripheries of the historic core. A new Alwar that dissociates from the past, its historic fabricand identity. In the face of Urban Development, these historic sites may be relegated to spots on a tourist map, or even forgotten, consumed by haphazard development. Laid out at the foothills of the Aravalli range the princely state sprawls downwards from the catchment of the Sagar Kund and the Palace complex down to the plain where Hope Circus 's located, along an axis dotted with squares and gates to mark the change of function. Sarafa Bazaar is just beyond the Jagannath temple square and the old market culminates in shops circling Hope circus. Hope Circus with the Ghanta ghar (clock tower) and St. Andrew's CNI church marks the end of the old city and the beginning of the city laid out by the British including institutions, a large open space - Company bagh etc. Further south, a few more properties of the Princely State are now occupied by the State and converted to educational institutions. The most prominent among them is the Summer Palace property named Vinay Palace, which sits on a 250 acre complex, complete with a canal fed water tank. Today the property is the Raj Rishi College, run by the State Government, alive with campus life, and unplanned additions and alterations to the centuries old building. The Architecture Design Studio for Semester 4, locates itself within these 8 sites scattered along the axis, where one can observe clearly a ‘shift of power’ or where three layers of growth are clearly evident and sometimes overlapping. The projects are extensions, additions or alterations to the current programs at site. The new buildings are imagined in the landscape of a new city, in a future Alwar, standing alongside, beside the critical nodes of the city, of rich urban and architectural value. These sites represent and contain the historic and cultural spirit of the place. These projects would stand beside, add, strengthen, help these older nodes withstand the new wave of growth, making these spaces relevant in the future city. These new programs are small institutions, sometimes annexes or extensions to existing programs on site. The Site study Reading Alwar ===In order to understand the response of the city-form to several decades of changing identities, a method of excavating its various layers is employed in the studio. The act of excavation is the careful removal and examination of the different layers accumulated throughout the history of the city, to reveal that which is hidden. Excavation is also a precise and pre-determined act, to ‘dig’ at a known location, a place identified through research and study, an act of speculation, where one expects to find something that is no longer explicitly apparent. The Study Trip is an act of excavation. An excavation of the city will reveal not only the changing city form and historical layers but also spark inquiries around economy, polities, culture, technology, society, climate and various other vectors that induced the change. In this way, the act of excavation can help understand the way these princely states have responded to contemporary pressures. A sort of layervector relationship. The Semester 4 studio aims to use the material produced from the act of excavating the palimpsest of cities in princely states, to speculate the future of these cities. The effect of the imagined transformations can also be speculated with the help of the layer-vector relationships drawn from the study trip. Site : Program Following is a list of the projects and sites for the Architectural Design Studio, followed by a note and detailed program list. Each site comes with a development code, which must be followed while designing the building Botanical Research Centre at Company Bagh Nature Conservation Centre at Sagar Kund. Student's Resource Centre at Raj Rishi College. Public Library at Tripoliya Gate. Museum and Archive at the City Palace complex. Primary Healthcare Centre and Annexe to the CNI Church. Balwadi & Women's Self Help at the Jagannath Temple Square. Co-working, commercial & retail space at Hope Circus. eNonRwNeCompany Bagh : Botanical Research Centre Company Bagh is a large garden with a conservatory at its centre. The garden forms a marker, signifying the beginning of the historic core and civil lines The bagh has been an intervention of most British occupied towns, establishing a change of administration from princely rule to British governance. Program Botanical Garden / Greenhouse Herbarium Instrumentation Facility Research Cell Library / Archive Open-air Theatre with a. a.Green Rooms bb. Equipment & Storage Room Canteen for 25 pax. Dining Room d. Kitchen Open to Interpretation Circulation & Services Total Built-Up Area Code on the main road. = 250.0 sq.m ~ 75.0 sq.m = 50.0 sq.m = 100.0 sq.m = 100.0 sq.m = 50.0 sq.m = 50.0 sq.m = 35.0 sq.m = 100.0 sq.m = Approx 40% Max. permissible 1200.0 20% of the roof area in case of a greenhouse has to be designed as a ventilation strip. Existing plinth to be, re-used, incorporated as a part of the new building proposal 50% open space to be retained on site. No parking requirement on site, imagined to have pedestrian access from the nearest gate: Nature Conservation Centre ‘The Sagar Kund is part of the original water system for Alwar - utilising the terrain and natural springs and aqueducts. The spring originates at Kishan Kund and the water is channelised through the natural slope and tanks to collect the overflow. The Sagar Kund site is part of the city edge and lies at the foothill beyond which extends the City Palace. Just beyond the kund is the large tank or ‘Sagar’ adjoining the City Palace which is also a site for the annual Matysa Festival, rituals ete. and ‘the main tourist attraction for the city. Program Reception & Office Area = 50.0 sq.m Research Lab & Library = 150.0 sq.m Seminar Hall -75.0 sq.m Conference Rooms = 25.0 sq.m Veterinary Clinic Enclosed Examination area = 20.0 sq.m attached Open Area for animals = 80.0 sq.m Interpretation Centre = 150.0 sq.m Dormitory - 10 pax = 100.0 sq.m 2 rooms - double occupancy = 50.0 sq.m Reception & Office Area ~ 50.0 sq.m Common area with cafeteria = 50.0 sq.m Circulation & Services = Approx 40% Total Built-Up Area = Max. permissible 1200.0 sq.mBuilding Code 1. Existing aqueduct or drainage channel to be retained. 2. Open space around the existing smarak structures has to be maintained, intervention in the form of landscape and open-space programs is permitted. No buildings may be built on this portion of the site. 3. Parking Requirements: 2 nos. 4 wheelers & 5 nos. 2 wheelers along with 1 ambulance,: Students Resource Centre ‘The Raj Rishi College was the former Vinay Vilas Palace which was a Summer Palace of the rulers of the Princely state of Alwar. The building has been adapted for use as a Science degree college, in form, is a simple bar situated in the centre of the large estate. The building is flanked by a large tank and the palace grounds extend beyond. Services like an aqueduct, a buggikhana, staff quarters form the peripheries of the palace. A canal also exists along the length of the estate which used to carry water from the dam in the hills to the tank in front of the estate. Program Vocational Training Workshop = 200.0 sq.m Open Workshop ~ 75.0 sq.m Student Council Office ~ 50.0 sq.m Media Lab & Publication Cell = 50.0 sq.m Stationery Shop & Book Store = 25.0 sq.m Seminar Room / Event Space = 100.0 sq.m Canteen for 50 pax a. Dining Room = 100.0 sq.m b. Kitchen = 70.0 sqm Open to interpretation = 100.0 sq.m Circulation & Services - Approx 40% Total Built-Up Area = Max. permissible 1200.0 sq.m Building Code 1. The new proposal can accommodate or include the older building which faces the tank. The architect has to integrate or interact with the older building in the new building proposal such as providing thoroughfare, incorporating or re-housing existing or newer program, etc. 2, 50% open space to be retained at sit. 3. Parking Requirements: 5 nos. 4 wheelers & 10 nos. 2 wheelers.proximity to the administrative center. The Gate houses temples in two comers and another on its roof. The former gate is a site of intense religious activity and vehicular movement. The market street organised as spaces for different goods extends beyond the gate up to Hope circus. Program Library = 300.0 sq.m Librarian's office, baggage drop and reception, lending station, reading sections, ete. Bookstore = 50.0 sq.m Reading Room = 125.0 sq.m Existing Shops (10 nos.) ~ 180.0 sq.m Event Space = 200 sq.m Circulation & Services ~ Approx 40% Total Built-Up Area Max. permissible 1200.0 sq.m Building Code 1. Maintain a clear set-back of minimum 3.0M, free of any architectural additions, projections, ete. while building near the Tripoliya gate structure. 30% open space to be retained at site. Vehicular thoroughfare on existing streets to be retained and provided for Building proposal has to respond to the existing market edge at street level. Parking requirements: 5 nos. 2 wheelers City Palace : Museum & ArchiveThe City Palace formed the administrative and residential centre for the Princely rulers. After Independence and the dissolution of princely rule the site was annexed as an administrative center housing the Collector's office, City museum and Sessions court. The palace complex comprises the Sagar Jalashay, the zenana, the durbar, Moosi Maharani ki chhatri and havelis. Program ‘History of the city’ - Permanent exhibit - 2 nos. Galleries = 250.0 sq.m ‘Temporary Exhibit - 1 nos. Gallery = 100.0 sq.m Restoration Lab (for manuscripts and other material) = 50.0 sq.m Heritage Resource Centre for the = 50.0 sq Department of Alwar improvement Trust (AIT) Curator’ Office = 15.0 sqm Information Centre, office & ticket window = 150.0 sq.m Entry, Lobby & Baggage Counter = 15.0 sq.m Souvenir Shop. = 25.0 sq.m Cafeteria = 75.0 sq.m Storage = 50.0 sq.m Loading & Unloading Area = 158.0 sq.m Circulation & Services = Approx 40% ‘otal Buill-Up Area =Max. permissible 1200.0 sq.m Building CodeBuilding proposals can connect to existing edges of buildings, landscape, water features, ete. The edges can be redesigned but no built/ architectural or landscape interventi beyond the site boundary provided to you 1. 60% open space to be retained at site. 2. Parking Requirements: 5 nos. 4 wheelers & 10 nos. 2 wheelers: Church Annexe & Primary Healthcare Facility = BSS 4 ‘. F Se | SO ees ses ‘The St. Andrew's CNI church lies beyond the historic core and is a place of worship for the small Christian population of Alwar. The church is one of the typologies signifying British occupancy of an Indian town. In appearance and detail the church has similarities to such churches in Lucknow, Allahabad ete. Program, Church Annexe a. Priest's Residence = 50.0 sq.m b. Caretakers residence = 35.0sq.m Church Office & Meeting Room = 25.0sq.m Multi-purpose Hall & Kitchen = 250.0 sq.m Primary healthcare Centre a. Dispensary ~ 15.0 sq.m b. 24x7 Pharmacy = 15.0 sq.m General Wards - 10 nos. Beds with Nurse's station = 150.0 sq.m Waiting Room = 50.0 sq.m Doctor's Room for Medical Camps = 100.0 sq.m Staff Facilities & Changing Rooms = 25.0 sq.m Open to Interpretation = 100.0 sq.m Circulation & Services = Approx 40% Total Built-Up Area Max. permissible 1200.0 sq.mBuilding Code 1. The existing plot of the Church to be left free of any architectural interventions, additions, alterations, etc. Only landscape interventions are allowed in order to unify the Church with the new building proposal. 2. Existing tree towards the back of the site, to be retained. 3. Ancillary church functions to be re-housed in the new building proposal, these include: a. Church Office b. Priest's Residence €. Care-taker’s Residence 4, Parking Requirements: 2 nos. 4 wheelers & 5 nos. 2 wheelers along with 1 ambulance.Jagannath Temple Square : Balwadi & Community Node a =. o ~ i = Cid Alwar has a distinct urban structure and is laid along an ax's that strings together the Palace complex, ‘the market and the flanking residential clusters. Squares and gates puncture this axis marking a significant change in function. The Jagannath temple square lies between the Mahal chowk and Tripoliya gate. A school, shrines, homes and shops are laid out on the periphery of the square, Program Head Classroom 4nos {include resting, eating spaces) - 200.0 (20 pax x 2 squm/ person = 40 sq.m x 5 nos) Play area = 50.0 sq.m. Kitchen (mid-day meal) + Dining space = 120.0 sq.m. Staffroom with common area = 150.0 sq.m. Reception & office = 25.0 sq.m. Waiting area = 25.0 sq.m. Self help group. = 50.0 sq.m. Micro financing cell = 25.0 sq.m. Open to interpretation = 200 squn Circulation & services ~ Approx 40% of total area Total Built up Area = Max. permissible 1200.0 sq.m Building Code 1. Vehicular movement on the streets in the Temple Square to be retained and provided for Minimum set-back of 6.0M to be provided from existing building edges. 2. Parking Requirements: 2 nos. 4 wheelers & 5 nos. 2 wheelers.: Co-working, Commercial & Retail Space a PSs oS tose Hope Circus is unique in form and name in Alwar. One could conjecture it as one of the bastions of the earlier fortification, it is also a monument named after the daughter of Lord Linlithgow, the then Viceroy of India, who visited Alwar in 1939-40. Presently it has a series of shops on the lower band and a temple on the top. A colonnade of shops in four quarters surrounds Hope circus. ein ae >: Program Head Office spaces (Independent & Coworking) - 300.0 sq.m. Cooperative bank = 150.0 sq.m. Commercial shops = 100.0 sq.m. Exhibition Gallery = 100.0 sq.m. Open to Interpretation = 200 sq.m. Circulation & services - Approx 40% of total area Total Built up Area = Max. permissible 1200.0 sq.m Building Code 1. Vehicular access of a clear width of minimum 6.0M to be provided for from the street joining Hope Circus to Ghanta Ghar. Existing large trees on site to be retained Minimum set-back of 3.0M to be maintained from all built edges on site. Building proposal to respond to the nature of the architecture of the existing market street. Parking Requirements: 5 nos. 4 wheelers & 10 nos. 2 Wheelers