CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE STUDY 2.1 Cities and their Characteristies 2.1.1 Birth of Cities: Mankind had lots of need to survive, first was to be stable in one place and stop being a wanderer. They didn’t have any fixed habitat for living after returning home from work at the end of a day. So after discovered the science of growing his own food he started settling down in clusters, near drinking water resources. The settlement used to evolve in an organic form but even within, there was a certain hierarchy that was maintained which became the reason for the birth of cities. 2.1.2 Definition of Cities A city is a collection of buildings and streets, systems of communication, workplaces, transportation, leisure and meeting places. The process of arranging these elements both in a ‘way of its function and aesthetics is the real essence of a city A city is a collective memory for its people, whieh is linked to its places and objects. Cities are the composition of elements like buildings just as the walls, the columns, &e., are the elements that compose buildings. 2.1.3 How one can perceive a city When one visits a city or travels through a particular city, he feels so many different experiences and impressions. All these experiences, their sum, constitute the city. Therefore, a city is a reflection of our experiences that can be visual, aural and olfactory what one can hear or smells. A combination of these experiences makes the identity of acity in one’s mind- set that is not static. Page 164One can perceive a city through their different senses realms: a) Visual Realm Aesthetics of a building mostly appeal to the eyes of the people. The visual representation has a dominant role in architecture for a long time. Order, structure, weight, details are some parameters of the visual realm. b) Sound realm Sound is an important part of a city, it tells us how we perceive an urban place. For example, Varanasi in which chanting of priests, activities at ghats and bells in temples that make these spaces as Auditory landmarks. The significance of sound in historical cities as opposed to the contemporary city is that the streets are no longer resonates sounds in an urban environment that collectively called soundscape of that place. ©) Olfactory Realm ‘Smells offer wayfinding that not only becomes a part of our experience of a space but also serves to prompt behavior within the space guide. For example Europe and older cities bakeries, Madurai d) Tactile Realm Implementation of tactile senses has purposeful uses in architecture, For example, the use of dimpled sidewalk pavers at railway stations and pedestrian crossings ©) Gustatory Realm ‘Taste in architecture does not mean to eat, it means that architecture can make a Different kid of mouth-watering experience by looking at appealing materials, Page 10642.1.4 Characteristies of Cities Historically the most robust environments had all evolved from the active participation of citizens and their shared values, belief and rules, which helps us to determine the characteristics of the city. Image of A city image can be classified into 5 main elements according to Kevin Lynch: Paths, Edges, Districts, Nodes, landmarks. Place Places are more important than individual components in an urban environment such as buildings, roads, parks, ete. They are the physical settings that support our daily lives and can be for individual use, They can be classified as utility areas (hospitals), commercial areas(malls), recreation areas( gardens), workplaces(offices). Access It refers to the movement network that helps us to know how easily and at what cost one ean reach from one place to another. For example Amsterdam, Netherlands Aesthetic ‘The Character of urban space depends on different factors like color, textures, pattern, order, scale, balance and other architecture design parameters. It helps to enhance the aesthetic attributes of architecture in terms of there Architectural Character. For example, Jaipur is known as the pink city on the basis of color Safety A sense of feeling safe in a social space influence the perception of users. Every individual ‘wants to live in a place where he feels a sense of security, encouragement, and safety. Appropriate location, degree of enclosure, light quality of'a space, security facilities are some measures of safety factors in a city. For example Houses in Jaisalmer, Jodhpur Page 164Health Health is a state in which one feels mentally, physically and socially well. The physical environment around a place affects health through the quality of housing, publie spaces, and the sense of community. 2.2 Architectural Character of Cities The architecture of the city summarizes the city's form!. By architectural character of the city ‘we mean two different things: first, the city itself is characterized by their own history and thus by their own form and second the city seen as a gigantic man-made object, a work of engineering and architecture that is large and complex and growing over time. (Rossi, 1988) If one takes a city - building, a street, a district—and attempts to describe it, he found difficulties due to the ambiguity of language, but in part these difficulties ean be overcome, if'we know the Architectural character of that eity because Architectural Character have that capability to summarize the total character of cities, including their origins. 2.3 Evolution of Architectural Character in Ci Architecture with all its varying phases and complex development has a simple origin from the continuous efforts of mankind to secure from weather, wild beasts, and enemies. In the development of Architecture first mankind came across mainly three stages of their own Architectural Character such as ‘Neolithic’, ‘bronze’ and ‘Iron Ages’.(Hiraskar, 2010) 1) Hut of the New Stone Age (Neolithic Age) 2) Bechive hut, Primitive and the tent of Bronze Age 3) The tent of Iron Age 1 ROSSI, A. (1988), the architecture of the city. CAMBRIDGE, MASS: MIT PRESS Page 1264FIGURE 1 EVOLUTION OF ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER Page 164Mankind had built favorable surroundings with its roots in its civilization The settlement used to evolve in an organic form but even within there was a certain hierarchy that was maintained, Architecture came into existence with the first traces of the city; it is deeply involved in the formation of civilization and is a permanent, universal artifact. The temples and places were given prominent positions after which other zones were allocated ave. to their importance. Aesthetic intention and the creation of better surroundings for life are the two permanent characteristics of architecture and these two characteristics define an Architectural Character of. place. Architecture which we discuss above is known as “historic Architecture” and its development and evolution are further recorded with the beginning of Egyptian Architecture. It is characterized by massive walls and strong closely placed columns carrying beams to support columns. Due to certain beliefs and culture Egyptians erected huge pyramids and sphinxes for mummified dead bodies which become the type of Architectural Character of that region and time. Their eternal monuments still have an importance to the modern world. After Egyptians period of Assyrians and Persians came, they built towering structures known as Ziggurats, After then Babylonians built corbelled Arches, barrel vaults and due to absence of stone no column used at that time. Later on Dorians of western and lonians of eastern Greece developed the three versions of columns and entablature known as Dorie, Ionic, and Corinthian. ‘The three are known as “Orders of Architecture” and the whole architecture style is known as Greek Architecture When Romans adopted ‘articulated’ style they used arches, vaults, and domes for their construction in an innovative way with time (flying buttresses, pointed arches, inverted dome,) to make tunnels, Dams, Submarines, Bridges, ete. Roman added Composite and Tuscan orders to the three Orders of Greeks. By the time in India, there was a great rise in Buddhist architecture where we come across the great stupas, sambas, viharas, followed by Jain arel ture and finally Hindu arehiteeture which is confined to the construction of temples based on Indian Mythology (such as carvings). Stones were the main material adopted for the construction of temples at that time Page 164In Muslim Architecture we see mainly tombs, madrasa, palaces, etc. Pointed arches, commonly used in this style. Next came the Byzantine and Renaissance architecture who adopted the trabeated style of architecture of Greek and Romans. In the 19" century, the industrial revolution took place a new architectural style so-called Modern architecture evolved to meet the requirements, The architecture of the machine age is increasingly becoming more and more complex throughout the world, ‘Modern architecture came because of a new spirit ofits age required it. Now nobody desires palaces and castles, etc. but instead we need mass housing, shopping centers, factories, offices, ete. which are currently part of our daily lives 2.4 Parameters for Looking Architectural Character A city’s identity is constructed and communicated through its architecture, we cannot study the city simply from a historical point of view'. Instead, we must carefully elaborate on a city’s enduring elements of permanence so as to avoid seeing the history of the city solely as a function of them(Rossi 1988). Therefore for analytical clarity, we can use different parameters to look at Architectural Character of a city, that are: 1) Image Sign System 2) Material Sign System 3) Visual Sign System 4) Rhetoric Sign System 5) Construction Sign System 6) Government Sign System 1 ROSSI, (1988) she awocnre othe cy: CAMBRIDGE, MASS: MET PRESS Page 16424.1 Image Sign System There are various places, events, and experiences in a city that make it more legible and memorable for a person, He is able to construct an image through various parts of the city in his mind from the cities Architectural character. is defined by As discussed earlier the image of the cil ive elements. These are 1) Paths: These are channels of movement that include streets, walkways, transit lines, canals, railroads, ete, A path is perceived as a line that is continuous and has a directional quality as ‘we can see in the example Streets of Shahjahanabad, Streets are differentiated in terms of their distinet character. IGURE 3 COMMERCIAL STREET! FIGURE? RESIDENTIAL STREET? 1 Figwe 2b r ve loraliitit 2 Figure 3 ns /saronketne/2012/02/13/oli-deishatahanbadrandomrecent shot Page 1864b) Edges: These are the boundaries of spaces that may be regular or irregular can be defined by buildings or paths, rivers, railroads, etc. The visual aspect of the edge is always dominant in defining the image. For example London, UK. FIGURE 5 JOHAR BAZAR HAVING SAME FACADE (ON EDGE OF ROAD ) Districts, A common_character can be observed within a district like uniform common fagade treatment, colors, boundary topography, ete. They may be divided into smaller sub- districts according to certain kinds of activities. For example Chandigarh, Punjab. FIGURES ILLUSTRATION SHOWS DISTRICT. 1. Figur otek com gloat nisin Page 1764CHAPTER 3: CASE STUDY 3.1 Delhi Delhi is one of the oldest cities surviving in the world. It is an amalgam of eight cities, in which all are built in a different era and on a different site, but each era leaving its mark and adding a special character to it and also leaving a layer of architectural identity to the city. It’s a city, observing different religions and cultures, also has a history of destruction and looted several times over and over by central Asian and Persian rulers. The city has lived through wars and resurrection, but always returned rising from the ashes, 3.2 Historic layers and it's Architectural Character ‘The city has seen several layers coming and fading away. + From traditional to global + From sandstone and dholpur to glass facades + From Nehru Place to corporate parks + From Housing colonies to apartment Post Indepondonce Modorism Colonia Era Rajputana(Sowal Jai Singh) Mughal Ere Delhi Sutanate Rajputena (Prive) Incraprestha MK 3.2.1 Indraprastha According to Mahabharata. Indraprastha ("City of Indra”) was the capital city of the kingdom led by the Pandavas. The city is sometimes also known as Khandavaprastha, the name of a forest region on the banks of Yamuna river The city was called Indraprastha and it is said that it had existed at the same place where Purana Qila located. (ARCHITECTURE OF DELHI - Architecture and Identity, 2019) Page 27643.2.2 Rajputana Inthe 12th century, the city was included in the dominance of Prithviraj Chauhan. The Tomar dynasty founded a city called Lal Kot. The Prithviraj Raso announced Tomar Anangpal as the founder of Lal Kot, ad his name is also inscribed on Iron Pillar at Qutb complex. 3.2.3 Delhi Sultanate Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Sultan of Delhi laid the foundations of the Qutb Minar at the first city of Delhi, Lal Kot. It is India's tallest stone tower and an Architectural masterpiece of that time succeeded in leaving a layer of Architectural identity. Similarly, after this other seven cities that is Siri, Tughlqabad, Jahanpanah, Firozobad, the city around Purana Qila (Dinpanah), Shahjahanabad and New Delhi established and further contributed in the history of Architectural Character of Delhi. In the Qutb complex, Qutbuddin Aibak constructed the Quwwat-al-Islam, which is the carliest extant mosque in India. There were twenty-seven Jain temples, which housed in the Qutb complex. From them, carved pillars and building material of this mosque can still be seen. Afier the end of the Slave dynasty, Turkic Central Asian dynasties, the Khilji dynasty, the Tughlug dynasty, the Sayyid dynasty, and the Lodi dynasty held power in the late medieval period and built some forts and townships in Delhi FIGURE 24 QUTAB COMPLEX FIGURE 25 CARVED PILLARS Page 21643.24 Mughal Era ‘The Mughal style of architecture in Delhi can be widely recognized as belonging to one period — from Mughal emperors Akbar to Aurangzeb, This was the period when many buildings, monuments, and mosques were built in this style. During the reign of Akbar, the famous Humayun Tomb was built and this was the monument that laid the foundation for all other gigantie Mughal structures in Delhi and various parts of the country. Humayun’s tomb ‘was built by Emperor Akbar, in memory of his father and the great Mughal ruler, Humayun. ‘The Char Bagh (four gardens) pattern was followed the first time here. This architectural pattern, which is Indo Islam in nature, was inspired by many elements from the Persian and ‘Timurid culture. When compared to the subsequent rulers, Emperor Akbar was not interested in architecture. There were only a few important monuments built during his rule other than his father’s tomb — Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. He focused more on improving his, spiritual knowledge and on learning more about Allah. Most of his time was spent only on spiritual development and he spared very minimal time in focusing on architecturally brilliant structures, (ARCHITECTURE OF DELHI - Architecture and Identity, 2019) FIGURE 26 HUMAYUN’S TOME Page 2164twas during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries that Mughal architecture grew phenomenally under some of the best Mughal Emperors. This was also the time when the Mughal architectural style became famous not only in India but also in nei; boring countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. This is a style that is a perfect amalgamation of various styles of architecture (Turkish, Islamic, Persian, Islamic and Byzantine) However, the epitome of the Mughal architectural style was evident during the rule of the great Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. It was under Shah Jahan’s rule that some of the most reputed monuments like the Taj Mahal (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India) and Red Fort, were constructed ‘The old city of Shahjahanabad is a high-density area and had the Red Fort(above) and Jama Masjid (below), the two major building complexes in the bursting business street of Chandni Chowk. The city was walled by high masonry walls, strategic entrance gates linked with other major towns in the region. Streets from these gates, creating a hierarchy that is leading up to the major ceremonial and commercial areas of Chandni Chowk. FIGURE 27 RED FORT FIGURE 28 SHALAHANARAD! i FIGURE 29 JAMA MASUID (SKYLINE)? FIGURE 30 HAVELLIN CHANDNI CHOWK, Page 3064This principle artery. aligned in the east-west direction of the old city, address the main entry to the Red Fort, a civic complex within the walled city. The sky-line was, however, dominated by Jama Masjid (left), placed symbolically atop a hill and complimented by a large urban open space and have a monumental scale, prestige of the city. The surrounding built-form was originally divided into clusters which were reflecting the socio-economic structure of a city and showing mix funetional use on the streets, 3.2.5 Colonial Era ‘The northern parts of the town were settled by the Britishers in the 19th century, where they established their churches, bungalows, banquet 1g hall, civil lines. They introduce railways in the late 19th century, and this becomes the main reason for induced new trade and developments around Shahjahanabad. The traditional, built form of the old city with central courtyards and narrow streets was replaced by the new prototype of the European Style bungalow with large green spaces around the built-up part, compound wal wrought — iron gates, With the decision to establish a new capital, the British found a location in the south of Delhi, leaving a large buffer open space between them. ‘The site chosen was a populated area, having a gentle slope from the Yamuna river and Purana Quila towards the west, culminating in a mound called Raisina Hill, The new site had altitude, water, good soil, and showing an excellent view of Shahjahanabad and other remains of the older Delhi, The eighth city of New Delhi took shape in the imperial style of architecture when Britishers decided to shift the country’s capital. From 1912 to 1931 British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker were the designers for the construction of New Delhi as Britain's new imperial capital of India. The challenge was to produce an architecture that combined local traditions with a symbol of colonial power. (ARCHITECTURE OF DELHI- Architecture and Identity, 2019) 1 Fire 28 tpa/en wpe onwi/la sth 2 Figure 29 hus ddetalearrngetsanine.com/2014/06 indian education sector must aiforte-spotorarabl Page 364ea ee FIGURES! SOUTH BLOCK SECRETERIAT BUILDING FIGURE 33 CONNA PLACE Lutyen’s plan was heavily inspired by Wester development. The city was dominated by buildings and monuments that are low height, having networks of axial movements and strong reflections of terminal vistas but there was a reflection of Delhi's Mughal architecture in its material having use of red and yellow sandstone, its dome, and in other details. Apart from the chhatris, stone trelliswork, moldings sun shades balconies supported by stone brackets, characteristic door and window details, cornices, ete, are executed with red and pink sandstone in the Central Vista buildings. ‘The plan that Lutyens laid out for Delhi contained two important corridors that intersected at the Capitol Complex. One was of Jama Masjid belonging to Shahjahanabad and the other ‘was of the Old Fort or Purana Qila, a part of Old Delhi. In the east-west direction of the Purana Qila, one can find Central Vista, This leads into the Capitol Complex and finally meets at the Vice Regal Palace. One look from the Capitol Complex gives an excellent view of the huge lawns and roads, roads and sprawling grounds located in and around the India Gate, (ARCHITECTURE OF DELHI- Architecture and Identity, 2019) 1. Figue 32 brnsi/envnikioea or/wihile Delhi Ina Government og Page 3264FIGURE 34 INDIA GATE (CENTRAL Vista)! REGAL PALACE FIGURE 36 RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN? ‘The Capitol Complex is an absolutely beautiful landscape with water used extensively in gardens around Vice Regal Palace and Raisina Hill’s Office Court. In front of the official blocks, there are fountains arranged in a symmetrical pattem. These are the sources of water that are found on both sides of the Rajpath. These water bodies, which are just about less than a meter deep, meet at the India Gate, where there are two more fountains arranged symmetrically. Towards further east of the India Gate, there is one more water-body, placed towards the Vista. Lutyen had also included a lake towards the eastern side of the Vista, that ‘was never implemented 1. Figure 3 pe vw inetagram com/p/BPsBuCPP 2 Figure 38 hups//visaaram.com/o/B2x8u0P PL, Page 31643.2.6 Post Independence Delhi With the attainment of Independence, the idea of a pure and homogenous 'Nation’ became a reality, and molds itself in many forms of artistic expression in the field of architecture, PWD. (Public Works Department) was responsible for many building works that give Delhi its present character. It was the style used internationally, that influenced the younger architects, of the period and began widely evident in houses, designed by the architect. The buildings which capture attention were institutional bui ings (schools, colleges, public offices) and large quantities of housing for the refugees known as "rehabilitation colonies”. It isa mix of both of these that gave Delhi its unique character, and continue to define the image of the city today. ‘A major impression on the city is the result of the design efforts done by the CPWD in Delhi. ‘They used ehattris and chajja's, domes to give an Indian character to the city in some of their buildings. FIGURE 37 UDYOG BHAVAN Page 3064Large horizontal bands of glass windows, freestan ig staircases, and cantilevered porches were the architectural features. Plinths became lower, living and dining rooms were combined and in houses, bathrooms became attached to bedrooms. Recessed windows and concrete fins began to appear on the facades. Reinforced concrete became the material of the modern era not only for houses but also for public buildings. In the period of 1960s architects used the forms of buildings and urban designs as a symbol of progress and democracy rather than attempting to human needs. The patterns of Modernism became used as a set of types for all architectural works by architects. The patterns of these buildings became expressions of progress in the minds of the clients. Much of the continuing modernist work consists of commercial buildings, which stand out because of their distinctive character. This character is distinctive because of their location-as they are single towers act as a landmark FIGURE 38 POLICE HEADQUATERS, DELHI Since 1970 architects tried to look at the light, massing and sitting have been handled and how and what type of decorative features form part of the architecture ‘The materials used; the construction process can be used for indulging traditional Architectural characters in the buildings for inspiration, which we can call er m, (Bahga and Raheja, 2018) FIGURE» LCAUM.DING Page 3164The concept that seeks to balance local needs and capabilities with the progressive lessons of modernization exactly called Critical Regionalism ‘The use of traditional forms has been explored in Raj Rewal’s Asian Village (1980-82), his, National Institute of Immunology (1984-8) the Design Groups Yamuna Housing Society (1973-80), their YMCA staff Housing and their HUDCO bazaar. The central building acts as a gateway and its axis corresponds with the main spine of the scheme. There is an analog of a traditional town with courts, galleries, level changes and uniform use of materials and colors. (Zahid, 2013) FIGURE 40 NU FIGURE 41 TARA GROUP HOUSING ! 1. Figure into d/imwaewalinoroeceesearch-im bm Page 351643.3 Observations From case Study Now from the previous chapter, we can observe one thing common in between the different periods of invasions in Delhi that, all rulers of their respective period were trying to show their “Power” by constructing something in a different manner (in terms of their materials, height of building, construction technique, function of the building). ‘The height of the buildings constructed during the British Raj (Colonial Era) was lesser than the other buildings of different periods but always depicts itself as a symbol of "Power" just because of the function of the building which is “Administrative purpose” (Zahid, 2013) Observations from the survey conclude a serious issue, the issue of am identity! Why we don’t have something of the present time which could act as an icon to the architecture of Delhi? Why we have to rely on our heritage to represent our “Capital”? And Why names of few architects like Raj Rewal, Charles Correa, ete comes in our mind during the discussion of Contemporary architecture in Post-independence Delhi, 3.4.1 Cities as Movement of Economies x FIGURE 42 PATTERN OUTLINE OF NEW DELHI! 1 ig. 42,44 haps:/arbandesigncoletveorg/projets-ntativespublications-andsocal-media-outreachipablications! Page 37164‘As we know that the city form seems to work in many different ways- climatically, socially, economically, aesthetically and various factors so on and it is a fact that the form of a city changes very slowly in compared to their function. Economic growth and rapid urbanization have resulted in widespread of Delhi’s development and there are 2 generic functional factors ( how individuals find the city intelligible and how they move around it Jare related to the form of the city, by affécting the special configuration of the city that is ‘movement’, From this, we can conelude well-functioning can be called “Movement economies”. Centrality, Extension, Contiguity, Linearity are the 4 ways of settlement growth (movement economies) and political, religious, industrial or commercial are factors that affect the Urban Form and pattern of a city. 3.4.2 Redefined Corporate Look of Dethi Rapid globalization has transformed the design and planning norms for corporate offices, In the present scenario, design typology had changed completely. In the past where office buildings follow the steel glass, factors like IT efficiency, functional ease, space management, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility now wants a serviced building; in effect which has uninterrupted water supply, water treatment, highest level of fire management, and modem security systems - complete with closed-circuit television, electronic locks and computer controlled access, etc. (ARCHITECTURE OF DELHI - Architecture and Identity, 2019) 1. Almost all-corporate houses opt for modular furniture, curtain glazing 2. Itprovides an aesthetically pleasing outlook 3. Allows them to restructure their interior plans Page 364+ It helps create a visual linkage with the outside, which is a very important, psychological requirement for the office goers who spend extended hours at their workplace. But we need to conserve old architecture by their adaptive reuse because conservation is current; a modem sentiment. During colonial days, Calcutta and Mumbai served as mercantile centers because of which they have lots of buildings that can be used as office space in today’s time but Delhi does not have that kind of old buildings that serves that purpose 3.4.3 Problem Identifications With the independence of some countries from a colonial power, cities started to grow at much faster rates after which little attention had been paid by government officials to adjust the city structure. A growing population needed large no. of infrastructure that created great opportunities in terms of Architecture to make some differences but architects in his own reed and vision had forgotten the physical form of the The inclusion of new metro lines is rapidly modernizing Delhi because a vast part of the city is covered with the metro, Newly built subways had removed footsteps from the roads; the reason for which it has lost its identity With rapid urbanization and globalization cities are turning into urban jungles, in the race of creating iconic structures. ‘Squatters live illegally on the pavements, buildings which are needed to be conserved are demolished due to polities, increasing gap between smart cities and Architectural character, etc. are reasons due to which a city loses its identity, culture and believes which was the reason of his recognition and absorbed into the multi-colored world of technology. Page 31643.4.4 Which is an Appropriate Architectural Character? Architecture in Delhi before the independence, is constructed due to the invasion of different rulers inthe city and accordingly its Architectural character had developed in their respective region as shown in figure but after independence lots of landmarks were created based on globalization, which represents the identity of Delhi having distinctive Architectural character, different from the past one Development with modernization approach have their own architectural character like high- rise typology in buildings, it can control the urban sprawl of a city and because architecture is also concemed with climate, economics, society as well as built environment and interactions. Therefore designing new buildings in these areas with the approach of modernization becomes a matter of conflict. Whether there is an actual need of distinetive Architectural character over the existing character in Delhi (which already have multiple characters)? If yes then how it will be placed with the existing character of that place? FIGURE 43 ILLUSTRATION OF MAPPING DELHHS ARCHITECTURE Page 464Pariament Home: Easter & Western Cout Bish Council FIGURE 441L1. SHOWS DIFF. BUILDING TYP. AT SAME LOCATION! Page 464