BHARAT BHAVAN

BHOPAL

Designed byARCHITECT CHARLES

CHOREA

Introduction• The site for this Art Centre is on a gently sloping hill

overlooking the lake in Bhopal.• The natural contours of the site have been used to

create a series of terrace gardens and sunken courtyards.

• It houses a number of cultural facilities including a museum of tribal art, a library, galleries for contemporary art, workshops for lithography and sculptures, and a studio for an artist.

• Inaugurated by then Prime Minister of India Shrimati Indira Gandhi.

• It’s a public garden, museum and performing arts centre.• It houses some of the best and most lasting being created

in our towns, cities, villages and forests. It aspires to bring into focus the glory, struggle and pain, depth and vision of contemporary artist.

• It houses a full fledged theatrical company and facilities including the Antarang (indoor auditorium) and Bhairang (open-air amphitheater).

• Site features Shape of site: almost square. Topography: contour site. Soil condition: fertile soil and having good bearing capacity of soil

• Entrances to the site There are two entrances to the site. The first is the main entrance for visitors and administrative staff etc.• CirculationNo vehicular movement.Parking is outside the side.100% pedestrian movement.• MaterialRed sand stone slab

Planning Approach• Courtyard planning

For the consideration of climate, a series of terrace gardens are designed which could be seen cascading down the lake.

• Each part of building is distinct yet allows easily into one another linked by meandering paths. Total effect makes the sense of surprise and pleasure.

• The visitors enter at highest level and walk down a pedestrian path flanked by pattern of courtyards to reach various parts of the complex.

PLAN OF BHARAT BHAVAN

Light and Ventilation• Lighting and ventilation within the building are

provided by the top lights (from the concrete shells and slots along the terrace parapets).

• The openings to the courtyard and terraces have two sets of shutters: inner one consisting of a combination of a fixed glass and operable panel for light and ventilation: outer one consisting of large wooden doors for security).

• The open to sky pathway is structured around three courtyards from which one enters the various activities.

Concrete skylights

• The feeling of open space is an essential part of experience of visiting Bharat Bhavan. Progressing through the terrace gardens and courtyards, one comes across exhibition spaces, workshops and dance theatres, in an easy and casual manner, making them accessible to the citizens of Bhopal.

courtyard Terrace garden

Design Concepts• The sunken built form is

influenced by subterranean architecture seen in western part of India

• Different elements like Skylight follows the same form used in the Salvacao Church. These low lightening respond to the domes across the water as well as being rustic descendants of Le Corbusier’s light funnel at Chandigarh.

SUNKEN COURTYARDS IN BHARAT BHAVAN

The Form• The organization is in the form of clusters group.• The enclosed areas are grouped around the sunken

courtyards and sits on varied plinths respecting the site contours and terraces above.

• The building is organized on regular formal square modules. The organization follows the gradual slope of site and the functions are interlocked by joining the different levels.

• The approach to the art center from the main road on the north-west side, being on higher level from the site.

• It gives panoramic view of lake of the city. The long steps lead down to the internal courtyards from the entrance.

• The movement through different activities opens upon terraces and encounters nature. The movement is based on shifting of axes through the different levels within the building.

Scale & proportion• Scale and proportion of the building are very

human in nature. The creation of simple calm spaces is done by using appropriate scales, proportion and sensitive treatment to the walls.

• Entrance to the courtyard is made just by extending a horizontal band across two built masses, which gives a sense of entering.

• The individual square module is repeated forms a larger institutional scale.

• The size of courtyard and the built mass around are proportional and provide comfortable spaces.

Nature of spaces• The plan generates two different kinds of spaces: open

to sky and enclosed.• The spaces are calm in nature.• The movement leads to the lake through activities

where space penetrates into each other and has a visual transparency from within and outside.

• The functions specially linked to the courtyards, inner volume changes according to the site conditions and requirements of the functions.

FunctionsROOPANKAR:• Roopankar is the only museum of

arts in India which houses both contemporary, urban, folk and tribal arts.

• It has fully equipped workshops for printmaking.

Circulation:• Efficient and well planned. This space

is characterised by continuous modulations in the ceiling and floor levels. The circulation system is such that the viewer is directed to each display in a continuous flow of movement.

Finishes: • Walls - white• Ceiling - Exposed concrete• Floor – Polished Kota stone

RANGAMANDAL:• Rangamandal has at its disposal an indoor

theatre called• “Antarang” & an outdoor theatre called "Bahirang". It

owns an impressive theatre library& data collection.

Light & Ventilation:• Both natural & artificial light has been made use of. Natural light filters through the shell skylight (canon).

ANTRANG:Activities:• Stage, Rehearsal room ,Backstage, Green roomsSeating:• Seating has been provided on three sides of the

stage. There• are no aisles – seating & circulation is on the same

treads.Lighting & Acoustics:• The lighting of the stage is controlled from the control room.• The spotlights are fixed on rods on the low side of

the coffers of the ceiling. The max. distance between the last seat & the stage is 18m.Hence the sound is clear. The coffers above are covered so as to reduce echoes.

BAHIRANG: Location:• It is located towards the lakeside so that the lake

forms a backdrop for the performances. There are no aisles for circulation.

Vagarth:• It aims to protect and preserve the ancient &

contemporary poetry in the Indian languages, either in spoken, or in printed form.

Anhad:• Documents folk and contemporary music  and organizes concerts.Karyalaya:• It is the administrative block here.

Area Statement• Site area = 4 Acres• Fountain court = 400 sqm• Antarang court = 400 sqm• Tribal art court = 400 sqm• Administration = 64 sqm• Modern art gallery = 500 sqm + 275 sqm store• Library = 550 sqm• Tribal art gallery = 500 sqm + 274 sqm store• Restaurant = 150 sqm• Workshop = 600 sqm• Ticket counter = 36 sqm• Rehersal room = 350 sqm• Ashram = 200 sqm• Bhairang = 260 sqm• Toilets = 120 sqm

Inference• Positive Features• View of the lake• Informal nature of design• Location of outdoor auditorium on the bank of lake• Tribal paintings on the skylights make us essential with

the building stronger.

• Negative features• Lack of natural daylight and sufficient ventilation

within the building mass.• High proportion of hard landscaped area.• Further more landscape does not provide any shade.• Split level planning accounts for some confusion for

the very first time.

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