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Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal

Synopsis: Cultural Centre Architectural Design Thesis (2011 - 2012)

Thesis Guide: Dr. Rajshree Kamat

Thesis Coordinator: Dr. Charumitra Kapshe 

Abhishek Jhamnani – 071110003 – B. Arch : 9th Semester 11/21/2011

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Introduction, Need and History of a Cultural Centre

A cultural centre is an organization, building or complex that promotes culture and arts. 

Cultural centers can be neighborhood community arts organizations, private facilities,

government-sponsored, or activist-run.

Cultural centre is an institution which unifies all cultural activities under one roof. The cultural

centers are to develop ways and means by which the basic cultural and aesthetic values and

perceptions remain active and dynamic among the people. It also undertakes programmers of

preservation, encouragement and dissemination of various manifestations of contemporary

creativity.

India’s culture is characterized by a unique pluralistic ethos that has evolved over 5,000 years.

At the same time, it is constantly evolving through a process of assimilation, providing creative

expression, value systems and belief patterns to society.

In the present day world, culture is not confined to merely being a manifestation of the urge for

self-expression by individuals and communities but is also a vehicle for providing employment

opportunities. With a large number of people dependent on the output of this sector,

promotion of this sector is necessary to spur economic growth, apart from strengthening its

role as an expression of the creative urges of the people.

Culture: Culture is the whole complex of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and

emotional features that characterizes a society or a group. It includes creative expressions,

community practices and material or built forms. People of different religions and cultures liveside by side in almost every part of the world, and most of us have overlapping identities which

unite us with very different groups. We can love what we are, without hating what  – and who – 

we are not. We can thrive in our own tradition, even as we learn from others, and come to

respect their teachings.

India is called unite country with diversities which ranges from the snowcapped mountains to

the sun washed beaches, crispy old bazaars to chichi designer boutiques, serene temples to

spirited festivals, tumbledown rural villages to techno ability urban hubs this country is the

planet’s most multidimensional country. India is a country where culture echoes, tradition

speaks, beauty captivates and diversity delights. India is a vivid kaleidoscope of landscapes

with significant historical sites and royal cities, misty mountains, colorful people who are rich in

culture and festivities. To gather these all phenomenal diversities at one place and to spread

the essence of our rich Indian culture, we have cultural centers at various regions in which

through arts, exhibitions, drams, theaters we describes different cultures of India. Cultural

centre also displays the cultures around the globe, through various forms.

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There are three broad dimensions of culture: National Identity, Mass Media and Tangible and

Intangible Heritage. National Identity revolves around questions like: Who are we? What is our

national identity as Indians? What is our shared perception or history, lifestyles, values and

beliefs? These are not questions of purely academic interest alone but serious questions having

a bearing on the well being of the nation and its people. Mass Media comprises cinema, radio,television and print media. Tangible and Intangible Heritage includes, among other things,

monuments, sites and archaeology; anthropology and ethnology; folk and tribal art; dance and

drama; and visual arts in the form of painting, sculpture and graphics.

The requirement of the present is the preservation of the cultural heritage but with a thread of

continuity that binds the diversities into a cohesive whole. The need is to create a celebratory

space for learning and sharing, enabling a synergy between tradition and modernity through

the collective wisdom of cultures, communication and social change.

We live in a world of manifest phenomena. Yet ever since the beginning of the time man hasintuitively sensed the existence of other world, a non manifest world whose presence underlies

and makes endurable the one we experience every day.

The principle vehicles through which we explore and communicate our notions of this non

manifest world are religious philosophy and the arts. Like these, architecture too is myth base

expressing the presence of a reality more profound than the manifest world in which it exists.

Cultural centers are necessity to keep general public aware of the latest cultural developments

in society, to keep them educated about their cultural history, also help them understand and

respect other cultures and traditions. It is also an important hub for promotion of new urbanand rural Artists.

Aims and Objectives

The aim is to design a space to provide opportunities by which people from different parts of

India get to know more about each others tradition and cultural heritage and thereby help in

promoting mutual understanding and national integration. The space would amalgamate all

cultural activities under on roof.

The principal objectives of the Cultural Center are

  To preserve, innovate and promote the projection and dissemination of the art forms.

  To develop and promote the rich diversity and uniqueness of the various art forms of

the country and to upgrade and enrich the consciousness of the people about their

cultural heritage.

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  To lay special emphasis in its activities on the cultural linkages among various areas

through evolution of styles and their contribution to the larger composite identity of the

cultural heritage of India.

  To make special efforts to encourage folk and tribal arts and to frame special programs

for the preservation and strengthening of the art forms that are languishing towards

extinction.

  To undertake such programs as seminars, workshops etc. with a view to encouraging

and involving the youth of the country among themselves and with those of the rest of

the country in creative cultural communications.

  To pursue such other activities and programs as would strengthen and promote the

cultural inter-linkages amongst the states.

  To award fellowships and scholarships for carrying out research for study in furtherance

of any of its objectives.

Scope as a thesis topic and its Limitations

The thesis topic would help me explore the spaces required for artists and craftsmen to practice

their crafts. It would help me understand the social and cultural setting of the region and

explore the implementation of cultural context on building design. It would allow me greater

freedom in form and spaces as many of the spaces to be designed would be of flexible nature.

The design thesis would not go into too much of technical detailing and would be going roundabout the design and the feel of the place in order to make the building more interactive and as

something to which you can relate to. Moreover the thesis will provide with an architectural

solution and not for other aspects like economical, management, etc.

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Methodology

1• Finalization of Topic & Site selection.

2

• Literature ,survey and study about the topic from websites , journals ,articles, etc.

3• Studies of similar Cultural Centres.

4• Selection of at least two potential case studies.

5

• Conducting case studies , interviews with the client managementcommittee to understand concept & design principle about the topic aswhy and where studies of standard and norms about similar structure.

6

• Finalizing requirements , areas and constraints after reference to variouscase studies, norms , standards and desk appraisals.

7• Site finalisation & analysis.

8

• Initial concept & sketch design.

9• Final Design.

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Site for the Thesis

The proposed cultural centre would be constructed in Dwarka, which is a fast growing urban

area in South West Delhi and has been envisaged as a model sub – city of the 21st

 century.

Dwarka has green spaces, good infrastructure including mass rapid transport system, plannedwork spaces, cultural centers and educational institutions. It is well connected to the

international and domestic airports, south Delhi and Gurgaon.

A site of about 14 Hectares (ha) of land has been identified for the project in Sector 24, Dwarka.

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Project Details

The centre will have dedicated sections for visual arts with provision for galleries on

contemporary art and tribal art. Dance events, puppetry shows and theatre performances will

take place at the centre of performing arts section, which will also include a recreational area

with a specialty restaurant and bar, spas, aerobic hall and gym.

Approach to Thesis

  Study art & cultural practices in India and the spaces required for them.

  Understand the chronological development of cultural activities in terms of spaces.

  Understand the context of the thesis project in terms of cultural background of people,

art & cultural practices, aspirations, historical background, current scenario, future

developments forecast.

  Analyze and understand spatial requirements, scope of design considering the site.

  Study the related design theories.

  Draw inferences from the case studies.

  Types of Spaces: Exhibition, collection of artifacts, workshops, library, performing arts

auditoriums, conferences, studios, public interaction spaces etc.

Wikipedia classifies Cultural centers & related buildings under “Educational”.

Expected Outcome

The proposed centre will have 5 building blocks-

Centre for visual art: 

Will have a contemporary art gallery, sculpture gallery, workshop area, and ancillary areas.

Centre for performing art:

To comprise auditorium, rehearsal room, cinematography room, recording room, seminar

rooms, conference halls, etc. Auditorium will have a capacity for over 500 persons. Open Air

Theatre will have a seating capacity of about 1000 people. Studio theatre will have a seating

capacity for 100 persons. Exhibition Halls of minimum 1000 Square meter each.

 Administration and library block:

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It will have children’s library, reading room, interactive audio-video spaces and administration

offices.

Convention centre:

To house an auditorium, business centre, seminar rooms, meeting room, conference room,multipurpose room, restaurant, etc.

A Convention/Exhibition space with a standing capacity of about 2000 people. An auditorium

with a capacity of at least 500 people. One Banquet hall to house at least 250 people. Minimum

10 meeting rooms of varying sizes: 30 – 100 people.

Rcreational area:

Spa, indoor sports facility, aerobic hall, swimming pool,

Residential area:

Will have guest rooms/ suites, kitchen, restaurant. A minimum of 20 Guest rooms.

References

  www.en.wikipedia.com 

  www.google.co.in 

  www.dda.in 

  www.articles.timesofindia.com 

  www.planningcommision.nic.in 

  www.culturalcentreofidia.com 

  www.sczcc.gov.in 

  www.ezcc.gov.in 

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Case Studies

Triveni Kala Sangam, Mandi house, New Delhi

Designed by Joseph Allen Stein, It is an Institution for Dance, Music, Drawing and Painting. It

organizes classes for Indian Classical Dance i.e. Bhartanatyam, Oddissi and Chhau. In music ithas Light Classical Music, Hindustani Vocal, Sitar, Flute,Tabla. The sangam also has course on

photography.

India Habitat Centre, Lodi Road, New Delhi

India Habitat Centre (IHC) has been conceived as an ideal physical environment with a range of

facilities that would maximize the effectiveness of the individuals and institutions, in their

holistic support of the habitat. The principal resolve of the Centre - "to restore at every level -

environment and ecological - a balanced, harmonious and improved way of life," is reflected in

its concept and design.

Spread over nine acres in the heart of New Delhi, IHC has a built up area of approximately one

million square feet. It incorporates innovative new technologies in building management

systems, conference systems, communication and energy conservation, creating probably the

most intelligent building in the country.

Desk Appraisal: Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur

Jawahar Kala Kendra is a multi arts centre located in  Jaipur in India. It was built by Rajasthan

government with the purpose of preserving Rajasthani arts and crafts. The centre has beenmade in eight blocks housing museums, one amphi theatre and the other closed auditorium,

library, arts display rooms, cafeteria, small hostel and art-studio. It also houses two permanent

art galleries and three other galleries and host its own theatre festival each year.

The plan was prepared by the noted architect Charles Correa in 1986 and the building was

ready in 1991.The plan is inspired by the original city plan of Jaipur, consisting of nine squares

with central square left open.