IES College of Architecture

Third Year : Landscape Theory Workshop & Studio

Monday 7.45am 12.00noon Course Faculty

Ms. Alka Chakervarti

Ms. Urmila Rajadhyaksha

Ms. Vinita Sapre

Ms. Anjali Mody

Ms. Shruti Verma

Studio A 3A : Appreciating the Relationship of the Built form and Land.

Exercise A3 : Appreciating the Visual Quality and Potential of a Historic/Iconic Structure.

Introduction:

Taking your understanding of the relationship still further by studying historical/iconic examples and

examine the relationship of the built form with the land it sits on. Particularly built forms in conjunction

with each other.

It is the intent of this set of exercises to develop the skills required to critically appreciate and analyze

buildings in conjunction with the land around it. This, the second in this series, comprises studies of

historical/iconic sites known and identified with certain cultures set in varying terrain and the built form

existing therein.

Learning Objectives:

1. To critically appreciate and understand the design intent of a built form and the land it sits on. In

short, students should be able to read their design in its setting. And extend this further with an

understanding of how this entire unit sits in the larger context.

2. To develop methodological and analytical tools and a framework for the appraisal of a group of

buildings which form components of a larger system.

3. Using the analysis to deduce potential threats and interesting opportunities created by or in

spite of the site planning of the historical or iconic structure.

4. To be understand the dynamics of how the insertion of a space into/upon the land and

recognize or generate the detailing out of the site development required for this act.

Side Quests:

1. To develop narrative abilities that skillfully combines both disciplines into one portfolio.

2. To understand and be able to visualize the large scale of the site through drawings.

3. To develop site sketching skills.

4. To develop observation and perceptual skills

Process:

Each student is required to generate a site plan to a suitable scale. All sketches and photographs require

to be related to this site plan.

The List of Sites on tour

1. Humayuns Tomb, New Delhi

2. India Habitat Centre, Lodi road, New Delhi

3. Akshardham, New Delhi

4. Rajghat and Shaktisthal, New Delhi

5. Taj Mahal, Aga

6. Fatehpur Sikri

7. Secretariat, Legislative Assembly and High Court, Chandigarh

8. Leisure Valley Chandigarh

9. Nek Chands Rock Garden

The List of Sites in Mumbai

1. Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay (Prince of Wales Museum of Western India)

2. Gateway of India including stretch right upto Radio Club

3. Marine Drive (NCPA to Walkeshwar)

4. Vashi Station

5. J.J.College Campus

6. IIT Bombay Campus

7. Carter Road and adjacent Development

As our exercise relates to the relationship of built form to land along with looking at these as a whole it

would be pertinent to address each of these spaces following a framework of the following parameters

and any additional relevant ones.

Thinking in Terms of the Movement Systems

Approach: Examine the approach and its design both to the complex as a whole and the individual Built

form.

Ascent and Descent: Use of Levels as an intentional design element and the emotive quality of moving

on them; running on them

Thinking in Terms of Enclosures (Spatial Qualities)

Permeable and Semi permeable edges: Vegetation edges have this quality

Sequences: Putting spaces together

Convexity and Concavity: Curved forms used in conjunction positive and negativeThinking in Terms of

Edges

Meeting the sky: Impacting the skyline; defining the skyline

Meeting the ground: The way the building rises from the ground. Stability? Awe?

Thinking in Terms of Landmarks and Orientation Elements

Points in Space: Reference Points, both Natural and Manmade

Framing of Views: Does the builtform frame the views of the site or discard or worse negate them?

Thinking in Terms of Human Scale

Relationship to Man: Does the treatment of Elements, Built and Natural recognize the Human as the

Observer?

Extra Reading:

Mughal gardens: sources, places, representations, and prospects

By James L. Wescoat, Dumbarton Oaks, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (Smithsonian Institution)

Crowe,Sylvia ; Shiela Haywood Mughal Gardens of India, Thames & Hudson

Schedule:

Week 0 : Presentation of problem

Week 1: Base Data Marking (Groupwise)

Week 2: (Groupwise; November 25th

Mumbai Groups and December 2nd

Tour Groups) Pin Up

Presentation of Data; A Maximum of 5 sheets A3 size. Background Studies 1 sheet. Site Data 2-5

sheets, Listing of Design Intent and its realization 1 sheet

Format:

All Scale Drawings to be at suitable scale as prescribed with the North Sign pointing upward. Name, Roll

Number and Group No. need to be mentioned on the sheets

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