Jawahar Kala Kendra

JAWAHAR KALA KENDRA GROUP 1

• Jawahar Kala Kendra is an arts and crafts centre located in the city of Jaipur. • The centre is important not because of the nomenclature but its close association with the

city of Jaipur itself. • The centre was conceptualized by Charles Correa in the year 1986 and the construction

completed in 1991. • The centre was launched by the state government to provide space to the cultural and

spiritual values of India and display the rich craft heritage. • The centre is dedicated to the late prime minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru.

INTRODUCTION



CONCEPT• The centre is an analogue of the original city plan of Jaipur drawn up by the Maharaja Jai

Singh the Second, in the mid-17th century.• His city plan was based on the ancient Vedic mandala of nine squares or houses which

represent the nine planets. • Due to the presence of a hill one of the squares was transposed to the east and two of the

squares were amalgamated to house the palace.

‘’Navgraha Yantra”

Conceptualization of Jaipur based on ‘’Navgraha Yantra” Plan Of Jaipur


• Correa's plan for the Kendra invokes directly the original navagraha or nine house mandala.

• One of the squares is pivoted to recall the original city plan and also to create the entrance.

• The squares is defined by 8m high wall, symbolic of the fortification wall along the Jaipur old city.


ZONING• The building program has been divided

into nine spaces which represent their corresponding planet.

• For instance, the library is located in the square of the planet Mercury which traditionally represents knowledge.

• The theatres are in the house of Venus, representing the arts.

• The central square, as specified in the Vedic Shastras, is a void: representing the Nothing which is Everything. The flooring pattern in this square is a diagram of the lotus representing the sun. City Palace, Jaipur.

• The astrological symbol of each planet is directly expressed in a cut-out opening dong its external wall.

MUSEUM/GALLERY

LEARNING SPACE

ADMINISTRATION

RECREATIONAL SPACE


KETU BUDH CHANDRA

MANGAL

GURURAHU

SANI

SHUKRA

Indian Grahas

Western Names

Ravi Sun

Chandra Moon

Kuja Mars

Budha Mercury

Guru Jupiter

Sukra Venus

Sani Saturn

Rahu Dragon's Head

Ketu Dragon's Tail

SECTION AA’


MOST ACTIVE

LESS ACTIVE

INTERNAL CIRCULATION

EXTERNAL CIRCULATION

•Grid iron planning•Central Courtyard•Inward Looking•Two Main Axes


VOLUMETRIC MODEL

EACH MODULE = 30x30x8 M


CLIMATE RESPONSE• The climate of Jaipur is hot and semi-arid. • The architect has dealt with this by having a courtyard such that it draws in air from all

sides.• The openings in the walls are small thus leading to venturi effect.• Use of pergolas to provide shade.


MATERIAL PALETTE• The external walls are clad with red Agra sandstone – topped by a coping of beige Dholpur

sandstone.• On these surfaces, the presence of each planet is expressed by it’s traditional symbol

inlaid in white marble with polish black granite and mica slate.


INFERENCES• The buildings in a contemporary metaphorical replication of the basic plan of the city of

Jaipur, based on the vastu pursh mandala. The architect in his attempt to create a brand image for the historical city, has tried to get the essence of the existing form but superficially .

• The over all circulation lacks of continued covered corridor, which makes the place unusable during summers and rains.

• The open air theatre is enclosed by the high walls which possibly create acoustic and ventilation problems when there is a large crowd.

• The high walls with no fenestration in the façade makes the building enclosed and it does not open up to the city.

• Within the building the activities are disintegrated but combine to a heterogeneous mixture of various cultural activities happening individually.

Documents

Jawahar Kala Kendra