LE CORBUSIER
INTRODUCTION
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CHARLES EDOUARD JEANNERET NOW POPULARLY KNOWN AS
LE CORBUSIER
BORN ON 6th OF OCTOBER’ 1887 AT LA CHAUX DE FONDS IN
SWISSJURA MOUNTAINS 4 KMS FROM FRENCH BORDER
HE STARTED WORKING UNDER CONTRACTER PERRET, LE
CORBUSIER’S SO CALLED MASTER
HE AS A CHILD PREPARED HIMSELF FOR A MANUAL OCCUPATION
HE LEFT HIS SCHOOL AT THE AGE OF 13½ YRS
JOINED AN ART SCHOOL LATER
IDEOLOGY
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THE PILOTIS
ROOF GARDEN
FREE FLOOR PLAN
ELONGATED WINDOW
FREE FACADE
THE PILOTIS
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PILOTIS MEANS COLUMNS
IT HELPED TO REDEFINE THE HOUSE AS A
MATTER OF FORM AND FUNCTION
REINFORCED CONCRETE GAVE US THE PILOTIS
IT RAISED THE BUILDING IN THE AIR, FAR FROM
THE SOIL, WITH GARDENS STRETCHING
BENEATH THE BUILDING
FOR E.G VILLA SAVOYE,POISSY IN FRANCE IN
1929
PILOTIS USUALLY SERVED AS AN ELEMENT OF
DRAMATIZATION AND VISUAL ISOLATION
PILOTIS
THE ROOF GARDEN
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USUALLY KNOWN AS HANGING GARDEN
FIRST REALIZATION OF THIS IDEA WAS IN
THE SMALL HOUSE THAT THE ARCHITECT
BUILT FOR HIS PARENTS ON LAKE GENEVA
IN 1923 IS DESCRIBED IN A HYMNAL TONE
REINFORCED CONCRETE MADE THE
STRUCTURALLY HOMOGENOUS ROOF
POSSIBLE
REASON OF TECHNIQUE, ECONOMY AND
COMFORT LEAD TO THE ADOPTION OF THE
ROOF TERRACE AND THE ROOF GARDEN
THE ROOF GARDEN OFTEN EQUIPPED FOR
SPORTS, EMULATES THE ‘CONDITION OF
NATURE’ IN HUMAN HABITAT
ROOF GARDEN
THE FLOOR PLAN
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REINFORCED CONCRETE BROUGHT THE INNOVATION OF THE FREE
PLAN IN WHICH THE INTERIORS WERE NO LONGER THE RIGIDLY
DETERMINED BY THE STRUCTURAL WALLS , THEY HAD BECOME FREE
IN PARIS, THE PRINCIPLE HAD BEEN BEAUTIFULLY DEMONSTRATED
BY PERRET’S APARTMENT HOUSE
LE CORBUISER SUGGESTED A COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE OF
STRUCTURAL SUPPORT ARCHITECTURAL “INFILL”
HE USED SLIDING WALLS THAT DIVIDED THE LIVING ROOM INTO
THREE BEDROOMS AT NIGHT
THE ELONGATED WINDOW
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LE CORBUSIER’S OBSESSION WITH THE
FORM OF THE FACADE LONG WINDOWS
THAT IS TOTALLY INDEPENDENY OF
STRUCTURE
ITS NO SURPRISE THAT THE ARCHITECT
ONCE AGAIN PRODUCED A SCIENTIFIC
DEMONSTRATION IN ORDER TO PROVE
THE SUPERIORITY OF THE NEW WINDOW
TYPE
FOR EXAMPLE , ON AN INTIMATE SCALE
ON THE UPPER FLOOR OF THE VILLA
VAUCRESSON AND IN THE JEANNERET
HOUSE ON LAKE GENEVA
ELONGATED WINDOW
THE FREE FACADE
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PILLARS RETREATED FROM THE FACADE TO THE INSIDE OF THE
HOUSE I.E THE FACADE BECAME NO MORE THAN LIGHT MEMBRANE
CONSIST OF ISOLATING EALLS OR WINDOWS
FACADE WAS NOW FREE AND THE WINDOWS COULD EXTEND
WITHOUT INTERRUPTION FRON ONE END TO THE OTHER
THE REAL MOTIVATION FOR IT WAS LE CORBUSIER’S URGE TO BRING HIS
OLYMPIAN STATEMENTS TO THE NUMBER FIVE
THE MODULAR
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THE MODULAR WAS A SYSTEM OF
PROPORTIONINGWORKED OUT BY
LE CORBUSIERESSENTIALLY THE
MODULAR IS A SERIES OF PROPORTIONS
NOT UNLIKE THE GOLDEN SECTION USED BY
ANCIENT GREEKS.
BASED ON THE MEASUREMENTS OF A SIXFOOT MAN IN VARIOUS POSITIONS, STANDING
,
SITTING, LYING DOWN ETC.
TWO SERIES OF MEASUREMENTS
WERE DEVELOPED,
THE ONE DERIVED FROM A STANDING FIGURE, THE OTHER FROM A FIGURE
WITH AN ARM UPRAISED.
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THE MODULAR WAS BOTH A MODULE OF MEASUREMENT AND OF
SCALE;IN ADDITION IT PROVIDES A MEANS OF RELATING
MEASUREMENTS IN FEETAND INCHES TO THOSE OF THE METRIC
SYSTEM.
‘THE MODULAR’ , LE CORBUSIER WROTE, IS A MEASURING TOOL
BASED ON THE HUMAN BODY AND ON MATHEMATICS. A MAN WITH AN
ARM UPRAISED PROVIDES, AT THE DETERMINING POINTS OF HIS
OCCUPATION OF SPACE- FOOT, SOLAR PLEXUS, HEAD, TIPS OF
FINGERS OF THE UPRAISED ARM- THREE INTERVALS WHICH GIVE RISE
TO A SERIES OF GOLDEN SECTIONS CALLED THE FIBNACCI SERIES.
THE TYPICAL SPATIAL POSITIONS OF THE HUMAN BODY
VILLA SAVOYE, POISSY,FRANCE
1931
VILLA SAVOYE,POISSY- FRANCE
1929-31
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VILLA SAVOYE IS RELATED TO THE WHOLE RANGE OF LE
CORBUSIER’S ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING
IT IS SITUATED ON SMOOTHLY SLOPING HILL TOP IN MIDST OF
FIELDS
IT ILLUSTRATES WITH EXTREME CLARITY AND IS PERHAPS THE
MOST FAITHFUL IN ITS OBSERVATION OF HI FIVE POINTS I.E
PILOTIS, ROOF GARDEN, FREE FLOOR PLAN , ELONGATED
WINDOW, AND FREE FAÇADE
PALLADIAN GRID IS FOLLOWED
GOLDEN PROPOTIONS ARE ANALYSED
COLUMNS OF THE BUILDINGS ARE DEFINED BY A SYSTEM OF
WALLS INDEPENDENT OF STRUCTURE
ENTRY TO THE PROPERTY IS THROUGH A GATE AT ONE END OF
HIGH STONE WALL
PLANS
TURNING RADIUS OF THE CAR
FORMING SEMI CIRCULAR
RECEPTION HALL
VIEW FROM INSIDE
VIEW FROM OUTSIDE
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THERE IS SMALL GATE KEEPER’S LODGE AT THE ENTRANCE
THE MAIN PORTION OF THE HOUSE IS RAISED ON THE COLUMNS
WHICH ARE SET ON GRASS PLANE
SECOND LEVEL WITH OPEN GARDEN TERRACE, AS THE EXTENTION
OF THE MAIN ROOMS OF THE HOUSE IS LIFTED UPON COLUMNS
LIVING AREA OPENS ON THE SOUTH TO THE GARDEN THROUGH
LARGE FLOOR TO CEILING SLIDING GLASS DOORS
GROUND FLOOR IS A PERFECT SQAURE AND IS DEFINED AS ZONE OF
MOTION
THE MINIMUM TURNING RADIUS OF AN AUTOMOBILE DETERMINED
THE RADIUS OF THE SEMI CIRCULAR GROUND FLOOR THAT
CONTAINS AN ELEGANT RECEPTION HALL, GARAGE AND THE
SERVANT QUARTERS
ROOF GARDEN
SECOND LEVEL WITH
ROOF GARDEN
LIVING AREA
ABOUT 1/3RD OF THE
SPACE IS OCCUPIED BY
THE ROOF TERRACE
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FROM THE HALL A TWO STAGE RAMP LEAD UP INTO THE LIVING
AREA
ROOMS ARE ARRANGED IN L- SHAPED
ABOUT 1/3RD OF THE SURFACE AREA IS OCCUPIED BY AN OPEN
TERRACE ENCLOSED BY THE WALL OF THE HOUSE
CORNER TO CORNER SLITS OF THE ELONGATED WINDOWS OFFERED
A VIEW OF THE DISTANTS LANDSCAPE
THE MOST STRIKING FEATURE OF THE VILLA IS RAMP WHICH LEAD A
SIMPLE WALK ON THE TERRACE
ELONGATED WINDOWS
LIVING ROOM OPENING TOWARDS
TERRACE (INTERIORS)
RAMP TOWARDS TERRACE
1930-32,SWISS STUDENTS HOSTEL,
7 BOULEVARD JOURDAN,CITE
UNIVERSITAIRE,PARIS 13E
1930-32,SWISS STUDENTS HOSTEL,
7 BOULEVARD JOURDAN,CITE
UNIVERSITAIRE,PARIS 13E
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LECORBUSIER ENCOUNTERED
MANY DIFFICULTIES IN WORKING
WITH THE COMMITTEE AS A
CLIENT,HENCE THIS ACCOUNTED
FOR MANY OF THE ODD FEATURES
OF THIS BUILDING.
IT MARKS A NEW PHASE IN HIS
WORK.
THERE WERE DIFFICULTIES IN
FINDING FIRM SOIL FOR THE
FOUNDATION.
PILOTIS OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE WERE USED,WAS LEFT
BARE WITH SHUTTERING MARKS
DISPLAYED.
THE SUPER-STRUCTURE WAS OF
STEEL.
THE CURVED WALL OF THE
COMMON ROOM WAS OF RANDOM
RUBBLE.
1955 Mrs. MANORAMA SARABHAI’S
HOUSE, AHMEDABAD, INDIA
1955 Mrs MANORAMA SARABHAI’S
HOUSE, AHMEDABAD, INDIA
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THE HOUSE WAS SITED AND
DESIGNED TO CATCH THE
WINDS IN SUMMER, BUT TO BE
PENETRATED BY THE SUN IN
WINTER.
THE STRUCTURE, ROUGH
BRICK WALLS COATED WITH
WHITE, SUPPORTING
CONCRETE BEAMS AND,
CONSISTING OF VAULTS.
CRADLE VAULTS OF FLAT TILES
SET IN PLASTER WITHOUT
FORMWORK COUPLED WITH A
ROW OF BRICKS CAST
ROUGHLY IN CEMENT.
PLAN OF SARABHAI’S HOUSE
PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR
1956 SHODHAN HOUSE,
AHMEDABAD,INDIA
1956 SHODHAN HOUSE,
AHMEDABAD,INDIA
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THE SIMPLE STRUCTURE IS OF
EXPOSED REINFORCED CONCRETE.
THE SHUTTERING FOR THE WALLS AND
VERTICAL SURFACES BEING OF
TIMBER, THAT FOR THE CEILINGS OF
METAL SHEETING.
THE CEILINGS AND A FEW OTHER
SELECTED AREAS WERE TO HAVE
BEEN BRIGHTLY PAINTED.
A CHARATERISTIC ELEMENT IS THE
RAMP WHICH LEADS TO THE
MEZZANINE AND TO THE MAIN LEVEL.
THE ACCOMODATION ARE DISPOSED
IN THE SPACE OF A ‘HANGING GARDEN’
ON SEVERAL LEVELS CONSTITUTING 3
APARTMENTS, SEPARATE AND YET IN
CONTACT WITH ONE ANOTHER.
PLAN OF SHODHAN HOUSE
SOUTH EAST ELEVATION
UNITE D’ HABITATION
UNITE D’ HABITATION
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IT WAS THE TIME WHEN EUROPE WAS RISING FROM THE SMOULDERING
FUNERAL PYRE OF AND ITS NEWLY LIBERATED PEOPLE WERE TO ESTABLISH
SOME PROGRAMME DIRECTION OF NEW LIFE
LE CORBUSIER HAD A REVOLUTIONARY EVENT, SUN, SPACE AND GREENERY
WAS DEVELOPED HERE.
TO UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE OF MIND OF YHE PEOPLE AROUND
IT WAS LE CORBUSIER’S BEST CONTRIBUTION TO A MODERN TYPOLOGY OF
SOCIAL HOUSING
THE BUILDING US SITUATED ON 9 ACRE SITE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF
MARSEILLE
IT HAS AN EAST WEST ORIENTATION
IT IS 450’ LONG, 80’ WIDE AMD 185’ HIGH
IT FOLLOOWS THE THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES OF LE CORBUSIER’S LOGIC OF
CONSTRUCTION
4 LIFTS EACH WITH A CAPACITY OF 20 TRAVELLING WITH A SPEED AT 40 FT
PER SECOND.
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IT HAS SKELETON OF REINFORCED CONCRETE AND REST ON
POWERFUL PILLARS WHICH LEAVS THE GROUND FREE
ALL PIPING PASSES THROUGH THESE PILLARS (PILOTIS)
ALL APARTMENTS ARE BUILT IN TWO LEVELS
THE NORTHEN FAÇADE IS BLANK, WHILE THE OTHER FACADES ARE
ANIMATED WITH GLASS WALLS AND SUNBREAK LOGGIAS OF LIVING
AREA
THE PLAN IS NOT COMPLETELY FREE ; THE PARTITION WALLS
BETWEEN THE APARTMENTS ARE LOAD BEARING
STRONG SOUND PROOFING BETWEEN APARTMENTS
IT IS 9 STOREYS HIGH
THEY ARE DIVIDED INTO TWENTY THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF
APARTMENTS
337 APARTMENTS IN ALL
RECREATIONAL ROOMS ARE ON THE ROOF
GLASS WALL OF 12’ X 16’
DOUBLE HEIGHT
BALCONIES TOO
DOUBLE HEIGHT LIVING ROOM WITH
GLASS WALL
HUGE PILOTIS
LEAVING THE
GROUND FREE
CONCRETE AS NOBLE MATERIAL
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THE LIVING ROOM HAS DOUBLE HEIGHT OF 16’ AND GLASS WALL OF
12’ X 16’
OTHER ROOMS ARE 8’ HIGH
THE TERRACE ROOF HAS BEEN PROVIDED WITH NUMBER OF
FACILITIES FOR COLLECTIVE USE : DAY NURSERY, KINDERGARTEN,
GYMNASIUM FOR ADULTS , OPEN AIR THEATER,AND THREE HUNDRED
METER RACE TRACK
CONCRETE IS USED AS NOBLE MATERIAL
FEW DISADVANTAGES OF THIS BUILDING ARE AS FOLLOW:
THE FOREST OF PILOTIS ON THE GROUND FLOOR IS SIMPLY
LUGUBRIOUS
THE INDIVIDUAL CELLS ARE TOO NARROW
SHOPPING STREET IS TOO LARGE COMPARED TO THE SIZE OF
BUILDING
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IMLEMENTED MOST OF HIS RADICAL IDEAS.
HAD A ROUGH CONCRETE FINISH TO THE COMPLEX.
ROOF NURSERY
COLOURFUL
WALLS IN
BALCONIES
OPEN TERRACE
NARROW ROOMS
( 8’ HIGH ROOMS)
NOTRE- DAM-DU-HAUT
RONCHAMP
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NOTRE-DAM-DU-HAUT IS SITUATED ON SOURTHEN FOOTHILLS OF THE
VOSAGES
LE CORBUSIER TACKLED THE PROBLEM FIRST OF ALL AS A MATTER
OF “PURE” SPACE
IN THIS CONTEXT, LE CORBUSIER HIMSELF SPOKE OF LANDSCAPE
ACOUSTICS THUS CREATING AN ECHO IN THE HALL
THE FORM HE FINALLY CAME UP WITH EQUAL JUSTICE TO THE
PRACTICLE PURPOSE OF SANCTUARY AND THE EVOCATIVE
CHALLENGE OF THE LAND
IT IS COVERED WITH MUSHROOM SHAPED ROOF
FOLLOWING THE SHAPE OF HILL , THE NAVE OF THE CHURCH IS
INCLINED TOWARDS EAST
THE ROOF IS INDEPENDENT OF WALLS
A THIN STRIP OF DAYLIGHT IS REVEALED BETWEEN THE CHAPEL
WALLS AND THE ROOF
IT CREATS A STRONG TENSION BETWEEN THE INDOORS AND OUT
DOORS
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THE MAIN HALL HAS A CAPACITY OF 200
PEOPLE
IT WAS THIS CHPEL THAT HE FIRST
FORMULATED THE IDEA
ARCHITECTURALLY IN THE FORM OF
PERISCOPE LIGHT SHAFTS CAPTURING
THE SUNLIGHT AND SPILLING IT OVER
THE ALTARS OF THE THREE SIDED
CHAPEL
HE PLAYED WITH MASS AND VOID ON
THE EXTERIORS OF THE WALLS
MASS VOID APPEARANCE
IRREGULAR VOIDS
INTERIOR OF THE CHAPEL
1954 MILLOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION,
AHMEDABAD, INDIA
1954 MILLOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION,
AHMEDABAD, INDIA
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IS THE HEADQUATERS OF ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT OF INDIAN
COTTON MILLOWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONS.
THE BUILDING WAS REQUIRED TO BE BOTH AN ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER
AND A MEETING AND A CEREMONIAL CENTER.
IT SERVERS AS A SORT OF CLUB, THE SOCIAL RITUAL OF ITS MEMBERS
IS STRONGLY EXPRESSED IN ITS DESIGN.
CLIMATE CONTROL WAS TAKEN IN CONSIDERATON AND THERE WAS
EXPRESSION OF MATERIALS.
THE EAST AND WEST FACADES, OF ROUGH-SHUTTERED EXPOSED
CONCRETE ARE MADE UP OF SUN-BREAKERS, CAREFULLY DESIGNED TO
SHIELD THE INTERIOR.
THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES, ALMOST UNBROKEN ARE OF ROUGH
BRICKWORK.
VIEW FROM 3RD FLOOR LEVEL LOOKING EAST OVER THE RIVER
SUN BREAKERS
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THE INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS
TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF
PREVAILING WINDS.
THE ROOF IS USED TOGETHER WITH
BAR FOR EVENING
ENTERTAINMENT.
THE ASSEMBLY HALL IS
CONSTRUCTED OF DOUBLE THIN
BRICK WALLS PANELLED IN WOOD.
EITHER RANDOM OR CONCRETE
SEATING 2 VERTICAL TAPESTRIES
ARE SUSPENDED FROM THE
CEILING FOR ACOUSTICAL
PURPOSES.
THE HALL IS INDIRECTLY LIGHTED
BY REFLECTIONS FROM THE
CURVED CEILING, WHICH IN TURN IS
KEPT COOL BY 2 GARDENS AND A
WATER BASIN ON THE ROOF.
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CIRCULATION
FROM THE LOWEST LEVEL TO THE ROOF 2 ELEVATORS SERVE ALL THE
FLOORS.
A LONG RAMP PROVIDES PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FROM THE MAIN OFFICE
TO THE PARKING LOT.
THE FLOORING IS OF DELHI STONE AND ALSO SERVES AS A STONE
TAPESTRY.
1954-57 MUSEUM, AHMEDABAD,INDIA
1954-57 MUSEUM, AHMEDABAD,INDIA
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THE MUSEUM IS ON PILOTIS THROUGH WHICH THE
BUILDING IS ENTERED INTO AN OPEN COURT FROM
WHICH A RAMP, SIMILARLY OPENED TO THE SKY,
LEADS TO THE EXHIBITION LEVELS.
ONE ENTERS THE MAIN LEVEL IN A NAVE OF SPIRAL
SQUARES 14 METERS WIDE, CONSISTING OF 7*7m
STRUCTURAL BAYS.
PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN AGAINST THE EXCESSIVE
TEMPERATURE OF THE DAY.
ROOF CONSISTS OF 45 BASINS OF 50 sq m EACH ,
ALL FILLED WITH WATER TO A DEPTH OF 40cm. THIS
WATER IS PROTECTED FROM THE TORRID SUN BY
THE SHADE OF THICK VEGETATION.THE WATER OF
THESE BASINS IS NOURISHED BY A SPECIAL POWDER
WHICH INCLUDES ENORMOUS GROWTH, FAR
BEYOND NORMAL PLANT SIZE.
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THE SPACE FOR ELECTRICAL
INSTALLATION EXTENDS UNDER THE
ENTIRE SURFACE OF THE CEILING
WHICH IS PLACED IN SHADOW,
AGAINST THE EFFECT OF THE SUN.
THE ILLUMINATION HAS BECOME AN
INTEGRAL PART OF THE MUSEUM’S
IMPRESSION ON THE VISITOR .
THE BUILDING HAS LOW HT. PILOTIS
, THE TOP OF WHICH ARE 3.40m
ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, WITH A
FREE PASSAGE BETWEEN PILOTIS
OF 2.5m.
THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF THE
EXTERIOR WALLS WILL BE OF
WHITE PLASTER WHILE THE
INTERIOR FACE OF THE WALLS
AROUND THE COURT REMAINS IN
UNSURFACED BRICK.
THE MUSEUM IS NOT LIMITED IN
RESPECT TO GROWTH, AND
THEREFORE THE 50*50m SIDES (2500sq
m) CAN BE EXTENDED TO 84*84m(7000sq
m) BY THE MEANS OF STANDARD
ELEMENTS .
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GROUND FLOOR PLAN
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
SECTION THROUGH EXHIBITION HALL
1929-SALVATION ARMY REFUGE IN
PARIS
PLANS
1.GROUND-FLOOR PLAN,
RECEPTION HALL AND
DINING ROOMS.
2.TYPICAL FLOOR PLANS,
DOMITORIES, DAY
NURSERIES AND
WASHROOMS.
3.PLAN AT UPPER LEVEL,
WITH INDIVIDUAL CUBICLES
FOR MOTHERS AND
CHILDREN.
SALVATION ARMY REFUGE IN PARIS
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THE REFUGE WAS
UNDERTAKEN BY THE
SALVATION IN 1929.
IT IS ONE OF THE FIRST OF
LECORBUSIER’S BUILDINGS.
IT WAS THE FIRST BUILDING
FOR HUMAN HABITATION
ENTIRELY SEALED COMPRISING
10,000 SQ.FEET OF
FENESTRATION WITHOUT
OPENING SECTIONS.
THE VENTILATION WAS
ACHIEVED BY MEANS OF
FORCED AIR.THIS FORCED AIR
INSTALLATION WAS EFFECTED
ON A VERY SMALL
BUDGET.HOWEVER,TEMPERAT
URE COULD NOT BE
COTROLLED.
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IT CONSISTS OF A FRAME OF
CONCRETE COLUMNS AND SLABS
WITH HOLLOW TERRA-COTTA WALL
AND FLOOR UNITS.
THE CONSTRUCTION IS OF
REINFORCED CONCRETE.
THE COLUMNS REST ON
REINFORCED CONCRETE PILES
DRIVEN TO ADEPTH OF 36-45 FEET.
THE SUBSURFACE WAS
INSTABLE,BEING SUBJECT TO THE
UNDERGROUND WATERS OF THE
SEINE.
PAINTING
PAINTING
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INTRODUCTION
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SINCE PUNJAB EAS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS, THE CAPITAL WAS
LEFT IN PAKISTAN THERE FORE PUNJAB IN INDIA REQUIRED NEW
CAPITAL
LE CORBUSIER WAS APPROACHED BY PUNJAB GOVERNMENT AND
THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA
CHANDIGARH IS A BOLD EXPERIMENT IN MODERN CIVIL DESIGN
CHANDIGARH HAS PROVOKED FRESH THINKING AND IN FACT SHOWN
NEW WAY OF LIFE
MAXWELL FRY, JANE DREW AND PIERRE JEANNERET WERE ALSO
INVOLVED IN THE TEAM OF ARCHITECTS
WHEN LE CORBUSIER ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE CHANDIGARH
PROJECT IN 1951, HOWEVER THE DESIGN OF THE CITY HAD ALREADY
BEEN DEVISED BY THE NEW YORK FIRM OF MAYER, WHITTLESEY, AND
GLASS WHO RECEIVED A CONTRACT FOR THE MASTER PLAN OF
CHANDIGARH IN 1950
ALBERT MAYER THE MASTER PLAN
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MAYER WAS THE FIRST ONE TO GET THE CHANDIGARH PROJECT
MATTHEW NOWICKI WAS INVITED TO JOIN THE STAFF ASSEMBLED TO
PLAN CHANDIGARH.HIS DITIES WERE TO TAKE THE FORM OF
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL.
MAYER STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO CREATE SOMETHING”THAT
REALLY APPLIES TO WHAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT MUCH BUT
WHICH HAS BEEN AT BEST DONE IN A LIMITED WAY IN RADBUBN,THE
GREENBELT TOWNS AND BALDWIN HILLS.
THE BASIC AIM,STATED MAYER,WAS A BEAUTIFUL CITY.
THE MASTER PLAN WHICH ALBERT MAYER PRODUCED FOR
CHANDIGARH ASSUMES A FAN-SHAPED OUTLINE,SPREADING GENTLY
TO FILL THE FILE THE SITE BETWEEN THE TWO RIVER BEDS.
THE PROVINCIAL GOVT. BUILDINGS ARE LOCATED THE UPPER EDGE OF THE
CITY WITHIN A FORK IN ONE OF THE RIVERS,WHILE THE CENTRAL BUSINESS
DISTRICT OCCUPIES AN AREA NEAR THE CENTER.A CURVING NETWORK OF
MAIN ROADS SURROUNDS THE RESIDENTIAL SUPERBLOCKS,EACH OF WHICH
CONTAINS A CENTRAL AREA OF PARKLAND.
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TWO LARGER PARKS MAY BE SEEN STRETCHING THROUGH THE CITY.
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THE FLATNESS OF THE SITE ALLOWED ALMOST COMPLETE FREEDOM
IN CREATING STREET LAYOUT AND IT IS OF INTEREST TO NOTE HAT
THE OVERALL PATTERN DELIBERATELY AVOIDS A GEOMETRIC GRID
IN FAVOUR OF A LOOSELY CURVING SYSTEM.
THE DEATH OF NOWICKI NECESSITATED THE SELECTION OF A NEW
ARCHITECT FOR CHANDIGARH.
IT WAS THE MINISTER OF PLANNING WHO SUGGISTED LE-CORBUISER
AND WHO ALSO RECOMMENDED THE INCLUSION OF PIERRE
JEANNERET WHOM HE TERMED A’’ GOOD DETAIL MAN.’’
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THE PROVINCIAL GOVT. BUILDINGS ARE LOCATED THE UPPER EDGE OF THE
CITY WITHIN A FORK IN ONE OF THE RIVERS,WHILE THE CENTRAL BUSINESS
DISTRICT OCCUPIES AN AREA NEAR THE CENTER.A CURVING NETWORK OF
MAIN ROADS SURROUNDS THE RESIDENTIAL SUPERBLOCKS,EACH OF WHICH
CONTAINS A CENTRAL AREA OF PARKLAND.
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MASTER PLAN
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IN 1951 IT WAS GIVEN TO LE CORBUSIER
IN CHANDIGARH LE CORBUSIER SYTEM OF SELF SUPPORTING
NEIGHBORHOOD UNIT KNOWN AS A SECTOR HAS WORKED VERY
WELL
SECTOR WHICH IS INTROVERTED IN CHARACTER COMMUNICATES
ONLY AT 4 JUNCTIONS WITH THE ADJOINING NEIGHBOURHOOD UNITS
ALL THE HOUSES OPEN UP INSIDE
GRID PLANNING IS DONE
CHANDIGARH PLANNING WAS DONE IN AN MANNER THAT
EVERYTHING WAS EASILY CLEAR ABOUT THE ROUTES AND SECTORS
7 V’S ROAD SYSTEM IS USED
THE ROADS ARE CLASSIFIED AS V1 ,V2 ,V3………V7
V1 CONNECTS CHANDIGARH TO OTHER CITIES
PLAN OF THE CITY
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V2 ARE THE MAJOR AVENUES OF THE CITY E.G MADHYA MARG ETC
V3 ARE THE CORRIDORS STREETS FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ONLY
V4…..V7 ARE THE ROADS WITHIN THE SECTORS
CHANDI GARH HAS BEEN PLANNED ON THE SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES
AND TO APPRISE THE COMING GENERATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES
THE MAIN FEATURE OF THIS EDICT ARE ITSHUMAN SCALE
SELF SUFFICIENT SECTORS
ROADS SYSTEM
AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL
THREE DISCIPLINES
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THE DISCIPLINE OF MONEY
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LE CORBUISER ONCE REMARKED THAT”INDIA HASTHE TREASURES
OF A PROUD CULTURE,BUT HER COFFERS ARE EMPTY.” AND
THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT THE DESIRE FOR GRANDNESS WAS
HAMPERED BY THE NEED FOR STRICT ECONOMY.
IN WORKING UP HIS DESIGNS,LE CORBUISER CONSULTED THE
PROGRAM FOR EACH BUILDING AS GIVEN IN THE BUDGET AND THEN
PREPARED THE INITIAL PROJECT.
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THE DISCIPLINE OF TECHNOLOGY
AVAILABLE IN QUANTITY,HOWEVER,WAS GOOD CLAY STONE AND
SAND,AND,ABOVE ALL’HUMAN LABOUR.
THE MATERIALS OF WHICH CHANDIGARH HAS BEN CONSTRUCTED
ARE ROUGH CONCRETE IN THE CAPITOL COMPLEX AND THE CENTRAL
BUSINESS DISTRICT AND FOR MOST OF THE CITY,ESPECIALLY IN
HOUSING,LOCALLY PRODUCED BRICK.
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THE DISCIPLINE OF CLIMATE
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BESIDES THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL REGULATONS THERE
WAS A LAW OF THE SUN IN INDIA.
THE ARCHITECTURAL PROBLEM CONSISTS;FIRST TO MAKE
SHADE,SECOND TO MAKE A CURRENT OF AIR[TO VENTILATE],THIRD
TO CONTROL HYDRAULICS.
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THE SECTOR
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TAKING CHANDIGARH AS AN EXAMPLE,WE MAY SEE AT ONCE THE
DEMOCRATIC IDEA WHICH ALLOWS US TO DEVOTE AN EQUAL CARE TO
HOUSING ALL CLASSES OF SOCIETY TO SEK NEW SOCIAL GROUPINGS,
NEW PATTERNS OF EDUCATION AND PUBLIC WELFARE,AND MADE
MORE POSSIBLE BY PRACTICAL APLICATOIN OF THE SCIENTIFIC IDEA
WHICH THROUGH INDUSTRIALISM,GIVES US SUCH BENEFITS AS PIPED
WATER,ELECRICITY AND CHEAP TRANSPORT.
EACH SECTOR IS DESIGNATED BY NUMBER,THE CAPITAL COMPLEX
BEING NUMBER 1,WITH THE REMAINING SECTORS NUMBERED
CONSECUTIVELY BEGINNING AT THE NORTH CORNER OF THE CITY.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE 30 SECTORS IN CHANDIGARH,OF WHICH 24
ARE RESIDENTIAL.
THE SECTORS AT THE UPPER EDGE OF THE CITY ARE OF
ABBREVIATED SIZE.
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IN ALL TYPE OF HOUSING ,PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE GLAZING
EXPENSE,PARTLY TO KEEP OUT SUN.
AS THE MOST ECONOMICAL AND READILY AVAILABLE MATERIAL FOR
BUILDING AT CHANDIGARH WAS LOCALLY MADE BRICK.
THIS BECAME THE MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION.
THE FLAT ROOF WAS EMPLOYED THROUGH OUT IN CHANDIGARH
HOUSING BECAUSE OF ITS USEFULNESS AS A SLEEPING AREA
70% OF THE BUILDING WOULD BE PRIVATE IN ALL THE SECTORS.
RESIDENTIAL PLOTS RANGING IN DIMENSIONS FROM 75 SQ. YARDS TO
5000 SQ YARDS.
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THIS IS BECAUSE THE CAPITOL COMPLEX IS CONTAINED WITHIN THE
BOUNDARIES OF SECTOR 3 EXTENTED TO ITS FULL DIMENSIONS.
GOVERNMENT HOUSING
LE-CORBUISER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GENERAL OUTLINES OF
THE MASTER PLAN AND THE CREATION OF THE MONUMENTAL
BUILDLINGS,WHILE PIERRE JEANNERET,MAXWELL FRY AND JANE
DREW WERE CHARGED WITH THE TASK OF DEVELOPING THE
NEIGHBOURHOOD SECTORS WITH THEIR SCHOOLS,SHOPPING
BAZAARS,AND THE TRACTS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSING.
IN THE PROGRAM PRESENTED TO THE ARCHITECTS,13 CATEGORIES
OF HOUSES WERE SPECIFIED,EACH CORRESPONDING TO A LEVEL OF
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT.
SMALL WINDOWS OPENINGS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY EMPLOYED
THE CAPITOL COMPLEX
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THE AREA OF THE GREATEST SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE IN
CHANDIGARH WAS THE CAPITOL COMPLEX , WHICH IN ITS FINAL FORM
WAS BASED ON THE DESIGN OF A GRAET CROSS AXIS
THE MOST IMPORTANT GROUP OF THE BUILDINGS CONSTITUTING THE
CAPITOL- RIGHT, THE PARLIAMENT, LEFT,IN THE BACKGROUND, THE
SECRETARIAT
IN THE FOREGROUND, THE POOL OF THE PALACE OF JUSTICE
THE ARTIFICIAL HILLS IN THE FRONT OF THE SECRETARIAT HAVE NOT
BEEN CREATED AND LAID OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH COEBUSIER;S
CONCEPTIONS
ALTHOUGH THE SCENE IS HARMONIUS IN EFFECT, THERE ARE STILL
MISSING THE BUILDINGS THAT BELONG HERE ,SUCH AS , FOR
INSTANCE, THE TOWERS OF SHADOWS
SITE PLAN
OPEN HAND
GOVERNOR,S PALACE
HIGH COURT
ASSEMBLY
SECRETARIAT
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HERE THE SECRETARIAT BUILDING IS TREATED AS A HORIZONTAL
PLATFORM LIKE THE PLAIN OF CHANDIGARH ITSELF,CARRYING ON ITS
ROOF THE PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY HALL RISING IN A PARABOLIC ARCH,
A FORM ECHOING THE DISTANT HILLS
AS A RESPONSE TO THE SUN, THE CAPITOL COMPLEX CAN BE
INTERPERATED AS AN INTERLACED ARRAY OF SUN BREAKERS
INSPIRATION FROM L,UNITE
IT LIES IN THE FOOT OF SHIVALIK HILLSJUST NEXT TO ARTIFICIAL LAKE
GOVERNOR,S PALACE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE SITE BUT THE
IDEA WAS ABANDONED
THE CAPITOL AREA WAS DESIGNED AS THE GREAT PEDISTRIAN PLAZA
WITH MOTOR TRAFFIC SEPARATED INTO SUNKEN TRENCHES LEADING
TO PARKING AREAS
ALTHOUGH THE SITE IS VERY BIG,IT IS NOT DESIGNED WITH
ALLOWENCE FOR EXPANSION
THE SECRETARIAT,1958
THE SECRETARIAT
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THE FIRST DESIGN FOR THE SECRETARIAT PRESENTS THE BUILDING
AS A TALL THIN SLAB CARRYING A SURFACE BRISE SOLEIL DIVIDED BY
A CENTRAL HORIZONTAL BAND
THE DESIGN WHICH WAS ACCEPTED ESTABLISHED THE BUILDING
FORN AS A LONG ,HORIZONTAL CONCRETE SLAB
THE SECRETARIAT, THE LONGEST BUILDING IN CHANDIGARH, 254M
LONG,AND 42M HIGHFORMS THE ADMINSTRATIVE CENTER,WITH
MINISTERAL OFFICES GROUPED IN THE CENTER AND OFFICES FOR
EMPLOYEES ARRANGED ON EITHER SIDE
THE BUILDING WAS COMPLETED IN 1958
THE BUILDING IS COMPOSED OF SIX EIGHT STOREY BLOCKS
SEPARETED BY EXPANSION JOINTS
THE CENTRAL PAVILION, BLOCK 4, CONTAINS THE OFFICES OF THE
MINISTERS
RAMP ENCLOCURE
SQUARE WINDOWS
ROUGH CONCRETE
FINISH
FREE FACADE
PROJECTED PORTICOS
SMALL ENTRANCE
BIG ENTRANCE
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THE ROUGH CONCRETE AGAIN INTERPOSES IN THE FENESTRATION OF
THE TWO MAIN FACADES ; MORE THAN 2000 UNITS OF UNIQUE DESIGN
APPRAOCH TO THE BUILDING IS THROUGH ROADWAYS BELOW
GROUND LEVEL TO A LARGE PARKING AREA IN FRONT OF THE
CENTRAL BLOCK, AND A FLOOR IS LEFT OPEN AT THIS LEVEL TO FORM
AN ENTRANCE HALL
BLOCK 1 AND 2 RISES DIRECTLY FROM THE GROUND
BLOCK 3,4 AND PART OF 5 FACE ON THE EXCAVATED AREA OF THE
PARKING LOT AND HAVE THE LOWER STOREY OPEN BETWEEN PILOTIS
FOR THE REST PART OF BLOCK 5 AND WHOLE OF 6 THE LEVEL GOES
TILL PLAZA HEIGHT, AND LOWER PORTION OF THESE BLOCKS ARE
LEFT OPEN TO A HEIGHT OF TWO STORYES
THE TOP OF THE BUILDING IS DEVELOPED AS A ROOF GARDEN
CONTAINING THE SERVICE BLOCKS AND CAFETERIA FOR EMPLOYEES
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THE PLASTIC EMPHASIS IS
GIVEN TO THE BUILDING BY
FREE STANDING EXTERIOR
RAMPS ENCLOSED IN ROUGH
CONCRETE WALLS
FOR SUPPLEMENTARY
COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE
BUILDING , EACH OF SIX
BLOCKS IS EQUIPPED WITH
INTERIOR STAIRWAYS AND
LIMITED ELEVATOR SERVICE
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION IS
BY MEANS OF A CENTRAL
CORRIDORS
FOR MINISTER’S BLOCK THE
BAY SIZE IS INCREASED AND
THE COLUMN IS THICKENED
HT OF 2
STOREYS
LEFT OPEN
COLUMNS SUPPORTING
1 ½ BLOCK
THE HIGH COURT
THE HIGH COURT,
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THE HIGH COURT FORMED A PART AS “ A GRAT ARCHITECTURAL
VENTURE USING VERY POOR MATERIALS AND A LABOUR FORCEQUITE
UNUSED TO MODERN BUILDING TECHNIQUES
AN ENTIRE STUCTURE HAS RESULTED IN THE USE OF DOUBLE ROOF
THE UPPER ROOF CANTILEVERED OUT OF THE OFFICE BLOCK IN THE
MANNER OF PARASOL SHADING THE LOWER ROOF
THE SPACE BETWEEN THE TWO ROOFS IS LEFT OPEN TO ENABLE
CURRENTS OF AIR TO MOVE BETWEEN THE FLAT ROOF OF THE
OFFICE BLOCK AND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE PARASOL ROOF WHICH
SLOPES TOWARDS CENTER IN THE FORM OF ROWS OF ARCHES
IN THE PLAN THE BUILDING TOOK THE FORM OF ABBREVIATED L –
SHAPED WITH LONG FAÇADE FACING THE CAPITOL PLAZA TO CONTAIN
COURT ROOMS
THE BUILDING IS A RECTILINEAR FRAME WITHIN WHICH THE INTERIOR
FUNCTIONS ARE DEFINED
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THE EIGHT COURT ROOMS ARE IDENTICALLY EXPRESSED ON THE
MAIN FAÇADE AND SEPARETED FROM THE LARGER HIGH COURT BY A
MONUMENTAL COLUMNED ENTRANCE RISING THE HEIGHT OF THE
BUILDING
BUILDING RISES DIRECTLY FROM THE EARTH
THE MAIN FAÇADE IS DEFINED BY A FULL HEIGHT CONCRETE BRISE
SOLEIL
THE ARCH FORM IS RESTRICTED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE
PARASOL ROOF
IT IS THE VISUAL DRAMA OF THE PIERS RISING SIXTY FEET FROM THE
GROUND TO MEET THE HEAVY OUTWARD THRUST OF THE ROOF
WHICH CREATES THE FOCAL EMPHASIS OF THE PRESENT PLAN
ON THE MAIN FAÇADE THE DEEP FIXED CONCRETE BRISE SOLEIL
GIVES A STRONG AND SCALELESS PATTERN TO THE BUILDING
IT IS THE CONCRETE SCREEN WHICH GIVES THE MAIN FAÇADE ITS
OVER ALL UNITY
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BEHIND THE BRISE SOLEIL , THE WINDOWS OF THE COURT ROOMS
ARE OF FIXED GLASS, BUT BETWEEN ARE NARROW VERTICAL SPACES
CONTAINING SHUTTERS WHICH OPEN AND CLOSE ON HINGES
IT IS NOTED THAT THE ORIENTATION OF THE HIGH COURT IS SUCH
THAT THE MAIN FAÇADE FACES NORTH WEST , AND THIS DOES NOT
RECEIVE DIRECT SUNLIGHT
THE ROUGH CONCRETE OF THE BUILDING IS TREATED IN VARIETY OF
MANNERS FOR MUCH OF THE SURFACE INCLUDING THE UNDERSIDE
OF THE PARASOL ROOF AND THE EXTERIOR SIDE WALLS , THE MASS
OF SHEET METAL CHARACTERIZE THE SURFACE
IN PORTIONS OF THE INTERIOR AND ON THE RAMPS , WOODEN
BOARDS HAVE BEEN INSERTED WITH IN THE METAL FORMS TO GIVE
THE CONCRETE SURFACE THE IMPRESS OF THEIR JOINTED PATTERN,
WHILE OTHER SURFACES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MASSIVE ENTRANCE
PIERS ARE FINISHED WITH GUNNITE CEMENT
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
PARASOL ROOF
FORMING ARCHES
DOUBLE ROOF
GAP LEFT BETWEEN
TWO ROOFS
COLOURED MASSIVE PILLARS
FULL HT ENTRANCE
REAR VIEW
DOUBLE ROOF
APPROACHED THROUGH ROADS
ROUGH CONCRETE FINISHED RAMP
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THE ENTRANCE LOBBY IS PAVED WITH WHITISH FLAG STONE SET IN
THE ROWS OF VARYING WIDTHS
NEW SCHEME FOR PAINTING THE COLUMNS AND PORTICO WALLS IN
BRIGHT CONTRASTING COLOURS
THE INSIDE WALL TO THE LEFT OF THE PIERS WAS TO BE BLACK
THE ADJACENT PILLAR PAINTED GREEN
THE CENTER PIER WOULD BE YELLOW
THE RIGHT HAND PILLAR IS RED
AND THE REMAINING PORTICO WALL IS PRIMARY BLUE
THE GRAET ENTRANCE HALL OF THE HIGH COURT IS ALSO BEEN
FOUND IN LACKING PROTECTION DURING THE MONSOON SEASON
THE NARROW CURVING RAMP AT THE END OF THE ENTRANCE
HALL,WHICH FORMS THE MAIN VERTICAL CIRCULATION IS EXPOSED
THE HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION, CONSISTING OF POEN CORRIDORS
ON THR REAR FACADE ,IS ALSO INEFFECTIVELY SHELTERED
THE ASSEMBLY HALL
THE ASSEMBLY HALL
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THE ASSEMBLY WAS CONCEIVED AS A RECTILINEAR STRUCTURE
IT IS SQUARE IN PLAN WITH A MONUMENTAL PORTICO FACING THE
MAIN PLAZA
ON THE LATERAL FACADES BOTH THE PORTICO AND THE OFFICE
BLOCK WOULD BE DEFINED BY SOLID END WALLS
THE LARGE CHAMBER IS IN HYPERBOLIC FORM OF THE COOLING
TOWER WITH AN AVERAGE THICKNESS OF 15 CMS
THE SMALL COUNCIL CHAMBER ARE IN RECTILINEAR FRAME
THE UPPER PORTION OF THE TOWER IS EXTENDING ABOVE THE ROOF
LINE
AN ASSEMBLY CHAMBER IS 128 FT IN DIAMETER AT ITS BASE AND
RISES TO 124 FT AT ITS HIGHEST POINT
THIS TOWER WAS DESIGNED TO INSURE THE NATURAL LIGHT,
VENTILATION AND PROPER ACOUSTICS
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OF ALL BUILDINGS OF THE
CAPITOL COMPLEX , THE
ASSEMBLY IS THE MOST
INTERIOR
INTRICATE IN PLAN
VIEW OF A
SEPARATE CIRCULATION
CHAMBER
ACCOMMODATION OF ALL
GROUPS IS PROVIDED
EMPLOYING A SYSTEM OF
INDIVIDUAL ENTRANCES,
MUSHROOM
STAIRWAYS, LIFTS AND RAMP ACOLUMN
COMPLETE SEGREGATION OF SUPPORTING
MEMBERS IS PROVIDED
ROOF
THER ARE TWO SEPARATE
GALLERIES FOR MEN AND
WOMEN IN COUNCIL CHAMBER
SECTOR-17,CHANDIGARH
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THE CITY CENTER CONSISTS OF
DIFFERENT SQUARES TIED
TOGETHER BY BROAD AVENUES.
AT THE PRESENT TIME,WHEN THIS
CENTER IS STILL DEVOID OF ANY
SORT OF VEGETATION,THE
UNSHADED OPEN AREAS CAN BE
QUITE UNPLEASANT.
THIS SECTOR-17 IS VIRTUALLY
UNINHABITED,BUT IT IS ENLIVENED
DURING THE DAYTIME BY THE MANY
SHOPS,BAZARS,
RESTAURANT,CAFES,BANKS AND
DEPARTMENT STORES.
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THERE IS DOUBT THAT AT PRESENT
THE CITY CENTER STILL LOOKS LIKE
AN EXPERIMENT .
THE URBAN CIRCULATION HERE IS
IN SHARP CONTRAST TO THE
‘ORIENTAL’ BAZAAR STREETS,THE
NARROW ALLEYS FUL OF NOISE AND
PLUNGED IN SHADOW .
OF ALL THE CITIES OF INDIA , ONLY
CHANDIGARH CAN CLAIM TO BE AN
ABSOLUTELY MODERN TOWN ,
”UNTOUCHED BY THE TRADITION OF
THE PAST,” AS JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
SO APTLY REMARKED .
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THE EXECUTION OF THE BUILDINGS FOR THE CITY CENTRE WAS
ASSIGNED TO DIFFERENT ARCHITECTS. PIERRE JEANNERET
CONSCIENTIOUSLY SUPERVISED AND ORGANIZED THE SCHEMES
DETERMINED BY LECORBUSIER
.
SUKHNA LAKE, CHANDIGARH
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THE CLUB HOUSE- NORTH OF THE
CAPITOL NO ADDITIONAL
STRUCTURES WERE TO BE
ERECTED,IN ORDER NOT TO
IMPEDE THE VIEW OF THE
HIMALAYA.
THIS WAS AN EXPRESS CONDITION
LAID DOWN BY LE CORBUSIER.
THE CLUB HOUSE WAS HOWEVER
NECESSITY.
LE CORBUSIER DESIGNED A
COMPLEX LYING 3METERS BENEATH
ROAD LEVEL,SO THAT THE HOUSE
IS SCARSELY VISIBLE FROM THE
PROMENADE.
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THE CAUSEWAY- CHANDIGARH IS
SURROUNDED BY THE RIVERS
PATIALI AND MANIMAJRA, WHICH
CARRY WATER ONLY DURING THE
MONSOON SEASON.
THE REINFORCED CONCRETE
CONSTRUCTION IS SIMPLE AND
PLAIN, AND ITS SEVERE LINES
HARMONIZE ENTIRELY WITH THE
NATURAL SETTING.
AT ALL OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR
THEY ARE DRY.
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DURING THE HOT MONTHS OF MAY AND JUNE, ENORMOUS AMOUNTS
OF DUST USED TO BLOW INTO THE CITY.
TREES AND SHRUBS WERE PLANTED AS A PROTECTIVE ZONE ALONG
THESE RIVERS, SO THAT THE CITY IS NOW FREE OF THE
INCONVENIENCE OF THIS FLYING SAND.
ONE OF THESE RIVERS HAS BEEN DAMMED.
IN 1955 THE WATER BOULEVARD WAS EXTENDED IN THE SHAPE OF A
CAUSEWAY, OR DAM, THE RETAINING WALL BEING MORE THAN
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20 METERS HIGH AND 4
KILOMETERS LONG.
THIS DAM,WITH ITS WIDTH ON TOP
OF 24METERS, THUS YIELDED A
PROMENADE.
THE ARTIFICIAL LAKE CREATED
BEHIND THE DAM HAS MODIFIED
THE CLIMATE OF THE CITY.