Abstract

This Thesis hopes to study the possi-bilities of translating the ideologies of democracy into spatial form. Simulta-neously breaking away from traditional images of power. It also hopes to explore the idea of translating digital space into the physical space. To achieve this I will be developing a programme that will aproppriate these characteristics.

THESIS PROPOSAL REPORT |2013DEMOCRACY AND PUBLIC SPACEARCHITECTURE THAT TRANSCENDS DIFFERENCE

SELINA ABRAHAM|UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNINGGURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASTHA UNIVERSITY|NEW DELHIGUIDE|SUDIPTO GHOSH“There is no single theory of

democracy; only theories" Robert Dahl

contents

IntoductionMethodology/ObjectivesTheoretical FrameworkCase StudiesSite Selection Site AnalysisProgramme De-velopmentDesign Process

introduction

NDMC Building: A Civic CentreImage Source: Author (2012), New

National Museum, New DelhiImage Source: Author (2012), New Delhi

Protests at India GateImage Source: ndtv.com

Seagram Building by MiesImage Source: Carter Hosley, ‘Plazas and Privately Owned Public Space’, The City Review, [Online webpage] < http://www.thecityreview.com/plazas.html>

Architecture today has to deal with contemporary issues like democracy and secularism. How does the an architect respond to these condition? Does it merely imply freedom to anything and everything or is there more to democracy. This thesis proposes to investigate the possibilities of democ-racy in public space and contemporary architecture.

Most people understand the concept of a democratic public space as a space of protest. But architecture and democracy go beyond protest. It represents the identity and the aspirations of the people, such that its transcends the diversity of a billion. This thesis proposes to explore a similar such representation of our physical environment keeping in consideration values of culture and secularism. The creation of an architecture of India presents the challenge of representing a contemporary institution within the rich contextual history that is India.

The complexity of a city increase directly proportional to the num-ber of components in a city. Delhi is one such city. It has a rich history and the centre for politics in India. We inherited an architecture from a colonial past whose civic structures are rendered in an almost authoritarian style – with large landscaping, high walls, low ground coverage and FAR. Most of these colonial buildings still continue to be the symbol of Indian Democracy. Many government buildings are hidden away behind boundary walls

Is it possible to architecturally represent Democracy? To begin, it is to establish what democracy is to architecture. Democracy in space is most commonly described as a space of protest. A space where the masses come to-gether to debate issues pertinent to the country and the people. A space to question the ways of the government and make their voices heard. Such symbols of democracy can be seen in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, India Gate and the Ramlila Maidan.

Another way to represent the ideals of Democracy, particularly by archi-tects have been to symbolically translate these concepts into physical manifestations. Like the Seagram Building by Mies van der Rohe which has been described to be, “em-bodies the progressive values and industrial power of a triumphant America... stream-lined glass-and-steel forms proclaimed a faith in machine-age efficiency and an open, honest, democratic society...”.1 Of course translating the idea of ‘transparency’ into a glass façade might be too literal, it is important to acknowledge the stand taken by the architect.

Democracy can also translate to access of space. How an architect designs to accommodate the public can also be seen as a reflection of appropriating design for a democratic country.

1 Nicolai Ouroussoff, ‘Pride and Nostalgia Mix in The Times’s New Home’ The New York Times, [online article] (2007) < http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/arts/design/20time.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&adxnnlx=1308844050-Rlm1zx1E5%2013mTbv3/DUnA >

methodology issuesCan all Architecture be all inclusive? The idea of building a wall immediately es-tablishes difference. So can all buildings be democratic?

What does democracy mean to architec-ture? Is it a symbolic gesture or perhaps freedom of public movement? Or could it mean establishing a new order to rein-force democracy(this implies inventing a brief, client and function from scratch)?

How can the ideologies of democracy be translated to the physical built envi-ronment?

The Modern Representative Govern-ment - for the large state Republic. Human beings live together in politi-cal association. All citizens must be equal before the law and must par-ticipate in the ruling. A mixed govern-ment of democracy to balance the views of many.

DEMOCRACY

A brief introduction the ideologies of democracy...Modern democracy originates from the ideas of Classical Greece. It’s citizens had sufficiently har-monius interest and the idea of general good did not contradict their personal aims. However the privelege of citizenship was limited and overall the system only main-tained true at a small scale.

Image Source: www.frontpagemag.com

CRITERIA FOR A

DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

1. Effective participation - through-out the process of making binding collective decisions, citizens ought to have an adequate opportunity, and an equal opportunity, for expressing their preferences as to the final outcome, debating an agenda, and expressing reasons for endorsing one outcome rather than another;

2. Voting equality - at the decisive stage of col-lective decisions, each citizen must be ensured an equal opportunity to express a choice that will be counted as equal in weight to the choice of any other citizen, and it is only these choice that must be taken into account;

All citizens should have the equal choice and oppurtunity to express the views, preferences or reasoning on any subject in a all-inviting space not constricted by boundaries or parameters.

3. enlightened understanding - each citizen ought to have adequate and equal oppor-tunities for discovering and validating the choice on the matter to be decided that would best serve his interests;

Citizens should not only be provided with the oppurtunity to exercise their rights to choose but also the opportunity to make an educated choice. Choice debated amongst the community as well as experts and professionals on the subject, so as to understand all spheres of the argument.

4. Must produce the best feasible system all around with respect to the idea of intrinsic equality; and it is instrumental to (ii) maximum feasible freedom; (iii) human development; (iv) the protection of personal interests

Source: Slantchev Branislav, ‘Democracy and It’s Critics (1989)by Robert Dahl: A Review’ Gotter-damerung .com [online website] (2001 Review) < http://www.gotterdammerung.org/books/reviews/d/democracy-and-its-critics.html >

Image Source: http://www.presseurop.eu

The problem in the state of nature, Rousseau said, was to find a way to protect everyone’s life, liberty, and property while each person remained free. Rous-seau’s solution was for people to enter into a social contract. They would give up all their rights, not to a king, but to “the whole com-munity,” all the people. He called all the people the “sovereign,” a term used by Thomas Hobbes to mainly refer to a king. The people then exercised their “gen-eral will” to make laws for the “public good.

Hence a democracy, not only implies freedom of speech or fundamental rights but also a duty to give back to the commu-nity. A common miscon-ception in our country where every expects something from the government but refuse to contribute.

THE SOCIAL CONTRACTPolitical theorists like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Charles Montesquieu and Jean Jacques Rousseau all differ in their opinions on the “social contract”. A natural agreement of sorts either with a sovereign in the form of the king or a group of people or a representative government. But the most interesting interpreta-tion is that of Jean Jacques Rousseau:

THE SOCIAL

CONTRACTJEAN JACQUES

ROUSSEAU

DEMOCRACY AND THE MAJORITY

Democracy is supposed to be the rule of the majority. Government of the majority of the people, for the ma-jority of the people, by the majority of the people.

The Democracy Boundary Problem questions ‘the people’s capabilities as political agents, their political competence. In order to effectively further one’s inter-est through democratic processes one must arguably possess a certain degree of knowledge and rationality.

Image Source: www.bloggingtheology.word-press.com

While no consensus exists on how to define democracy, equality and freedom have both been identified as important characteristics of democracy since ancient times.] These principles are reflected in all eligible citizens being equal before the law and having equal access to legislative processes. For example, in a representative de-mocracy, every vote has equal weight, no unreasonable restrictions can apply to anyone seeking to become a representative, and the freedom of its eligible citizens is secured by legitimized rights and liberties which are generally protected by a constitution.

theoryframework

In order to proceed it was im-portant to understand democ-racy as an ideology. This sheet represents a summary of mhy study.

ARC

HITECTURA

LLY IN

TERPRETING

D

EMO

CRA

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PROMOTING DEMOCRACY

...Dealing with govern-ment buildings, courthouses, public buildings, etc.,..

For instance, New Delhi has a history of colonial re-adaptation when it comes to government buildings. A more contemporary ‘democratic approach breaking away from colonial shackles would be an interesting approach

DEMOCRATIZING THE CREATION OF ARCHITECTURE

...Citizen participation in planning and design making process...

Democracy can interpreted as the right to choose and build your own built environment. A project where one can question where the architect’s re-sponsibilities lie at - the government? The developer? or the general public?

DEMOCRACY AND THE IMPACT OF SYM-BOLISM

...Literal or symbolic derivation of democratic ideals.,..

Physical translation of democratic ideals into architectural concepts with symbolic connotations. But is this is best way to interpret democracy architecturally? An important aspect but perhaps a secondary gesture.

DEMOCRACY AS FREEDOM AND TRANSPARENCY

...Allowing Public Access and visual transparency to con-vey ideas of ,..

The idea of transparency or a visual connection allowing people to see or access information. The idea perhaps best not to be to taken too literally but establish-ing a visual connection in order to invite people to participate in the workings of democracy is a plausible gesture.

Town Hall: Dutch Archi-tect Bjarke EngelsImage Source: Chesire Tom, ‘Two-way Town Hall’, wired.co.uk [online article] (2012) < http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/02/

No One On A Political Or Profes-sional Level Is Interested In Spa-tial Questions In A Meaningful Way. Need for citizens to press politicians to accept and address view of inevitably of start future scenarios. The public does not believe that spatial questions are of any importance to society, which allows politicians to ignore these questions and avoid being proactive.Equally, the design and planning professional works to preserve and increase their au-tonomy at the expense of their relationship to society at large.

Image Source: www.ku-nalanand1989.blogspot.com

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Citizens not only have the rights to freedom of speech and participation in government policies but also to give back to community as part of their ‘social contract’.

The Public has a role in the ‘majority’ that has the right to choose government policies. An oppurtunity to be provided to educate the masses on current issues and to debates the pros and cons- a space for interaction of ideas and thoughts.

The Tradition of Soapbox Debates

Hyde Park, LondonImage Source: newcity.com

DEMOCRACY AND INFORMATION

The Promotion of Democracy Through Access of In-formation. Information is critical to the functioning of a Democracy. It is Important to create a forum where access to information can be simplified reducing the complications of most government procedures.

In the age of Digital Information, one might question the need for a physical space. But it is important even for digital information to be associated with an or-ganization of a physical portal as it makes the experi-ence more personal.Democracy Diaologues by The Tehelka

Foundation

Source: ANCB, Design & Politics Reader, The Metropolitan Laboratory, [online debate series] (2011) Nether-lands

As a part of my study it was also impor-tant to study how I Democracy could be translated Architec-turally or spatially.

The Reichstag is the first step on Germany’s quest to develop buildings, which fit to a united Germany’s new status in Europe, while stressing a break with its turbulent history. City planners, who are keen to recreate Berlin’s pre-war scale and mix of residential and commercial buildings, have tried to stop international architects who flocked here after the Wall fell from losing sight of the past. The Reichstag is a mix of international styles, with the bombastic Classical style shell from the 1890’s, to the scars left by fire and war, and a cutting edge copula designed by a British architect. The Senate didn’t want to reinvent Berlin, but wanted to use the old buildings as a resource for the New Berlin. A symbol of the new Democratic European Germany, the Reichstag leads the world in environmental efficiency and setting a precedent for the rebuilding of Berlin.

The Parliament was pushing for a recreation of the historical dome but it portrays power over people and na-tions and there was fear that it would be misinterpreted. Everyone wanted change but knew they couldn’t shed the weight of the past so some how the building had to be light-ened symbolically.

Foster came up with a plan which would create a dome, included the public, was light, and was a source of renewable energy. His plan was to create a cupola, which was conceived as a ‘lantern’ with all the associations that term implies. It is a generative element in the internal work-ings of the building and a key component in the lighting and energy-saving strategies.1

One main theme of Foster’s new Reichstag is trans-parency - not just politically, but in the literal sense. The glass roof looks directly down onto the debating chamber itself.2 It’s a symbolic and literal translation of the German

1 NC State University, ‘Norman Foster’s Reichstag: Blending the Past and Present’, [blog entry] (2012)<http://kaliu.wordpress.ncsu.edu/2012/11/14/reichstag-at-worlds-stage/>2 BBC UK, ‘The New Reichstag - transparency and democracy’ [web-page] (2007)

The brief of the Parliament house required that it become a major national symbol that people could associate with national politics and reflect its political and social context. At the same time careful thought had to be put Into implications of the scale and monu-mentality of the design.

The philosophy which the building expresses and its popular success would depend on the extent to which public access and involvement is encourage by the design. It could not appear remote and inaccessible. This would facilitate connotations of a ‘people’s Parliament’ and ‘open government’. In order to achieve these requirements, it could me built over the existing hill as it would symbolically represent a government imposed upon the people. This ideology however was adopted by Lutyen’s who designed the Viceroy House as a symbol of domination. A symbol that the Indian Government has nevertheless adopted.

Instead, the architects built the parliament under the hill symbolically rising out of the Australian landscape and extending invitation to all citizens to visit the building to see the workings of the democracy that is Australia. The invitation was to be seen in the descending arms of the walls of the Forecourt.

REICHSTAG Building, GermanyARCHITECTS|Norman Foster

CLIENT|German Government

AUSTRALIA Parliament House, CanberraARCHITECTS|Mitchell/GiurgolaCLIENT|Parliamnet House Construction Authority

Public Access is seen an important gesture in a strong Democratic context.“The general public to have access to about one-fifth of the building. By contrast, it has been estimated that 10 per cent of the Houses of Parliament in London is accessible to visi-tors, and 14 per cent of the Scottish Parliament.5 One Aus-tralian legislator has reported the amazement of visiting in-ternational parliamentarians, who are struck by the fact that ‘we allow the public to come in and roam around’. They are invariably impressed by the openness of the building.”

Information Source: ‘The Australian Parliament House: Architecture and the Ar-chitect’ Parliament of Aus-tralia Official Website [online website] <http://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/About_the_Building/Architec-ture_and_the_Architect>

case studies

project ideas

architecturally interpretting democracy

program studyproject ideas

BANGALORE ONE. ONE STOP ONE SERVICENational Institute for Smart Government

CLIENT|GOVT. OF KARNATAKA

NYC INFORMATION CENTRE. NEW YORKARCHITECTS|WXY Architecture in collaboration with Local DesignCLIENT|NYC & COMPANY

VisionThe vision of the Bangalore One project is “to provide to the citizens of Karna-taka, all G2C and G2B services and information of departments and agencies of Central, State and Local Governments in an efficient, reliable, transparent and integrated manner on a sustained basis, with certainty, through easy access to a chain of computerized Integrated Citizen Service Centers (ICSC’s) and through multiple delivery channels like Electronic Kiosks, mobile phones and the Inter-net.

Services render by the project:Payment of water, electricity, telephone bills etc as well as receipt of applications for new connections. Payment of prop erty tax and provision of market value assistance. Issue of khatha, birth/death certificates etc. Filing of grievances Issue/renewal of driving license. Sale of application forms for new passports and registration of new passport applications Collection of taxes including KST, CST and entry tax.

NYC INFORMATION CENTRE

Image Source: World Ar-chitecture News, ‘NYC In-formation Centre Opens’,[online article] < http://www.worldarchitec-turenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.

A high-tech interactive map that works in conjunction with personal mobile de-vices to create customised city guides.

With countless numbers of restaurants, museums, shops, music venues, and theatres, New York City can be a rather overwhelming experience for tourists. The sheer volume of activities and attractions available in the city requires some organisation and planning that traditional guidebooks and leaflets may not pro-vide quickly enough to the 21st century traveller.

The NYC Visitors Information Center located in Midtown Manhattan combines contemporary architecture and media to create a seamless experi-ence. Local Projects and WXY Architecture and Urban Design worked together to deliver a unique solution that pushes the conventional boundaries of tourism.

case studies

programstudyarchitecture case study

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTRE. PHILADELPHIAARCHITECTS|PEI COBB FREED & PARTNERS

1998-2003total area|26000 SQM

designers|Henry Cobb|Ian Bader

PROGRAM DETAILS SOURCE: Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Architects

MAJOR COMPONENTS AREA

LOBBY AND PUBLIC FACILITIES 3300 SQMEXHIBITION SPACE - PERMANENT 2200 SQM TEMPORARY364 SEAT THEATRE195 SEAT THEATRE 500 SQMEDUCATIONAL OUTREACH CENTRE 300 SQMRESTAURANT (300 SEATS)SCHOOL LUNCH AREA (300 SEATS)MUSEUM SHOP 340 SQMADMINISTRATION 2000 SQMFOUNDER ROOM 140 SQMPARKING 169 CARS

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTREIMAGE SOURCE: Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Architects

GROUND FLOOR PLANImage Source: ‘A More Perfect Union’, Civil Engineering [online article]< http://www.lera.com/files/ncc%20article_p01-full%20article-clean-reduced.pdf >

CONCEPT

The National Constitution Center is devoted to be the first structure to celebrate American democ-racy. Its goal is not to enshrine the historical docu-ment but to explain its relevance, explain it past and the principles that guide them today.

Transparency is the key idea behind the design. The design translates the ideas of freedom and self-government in the form of openness; inviting and engaging visitors with views into the museum. The building’s diagonal geometry speaks dynamically of the Constitution’s capacity to shape and be shaped by the society it governs.

PROGRAM

The MUSEUM begins with an introductory theatre in-the-round, conceived to serve also a NATIONAL TOWN HALL. Visitors are also engaged by a series of interactive EXHIBITIONS present to explain the complexities of the Constitution to people of differ-ent ages and backgrounds.1 1 Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, ‘Project Details: National Constitution Centre’ PCF&P Website [online webpage] < http://www.pcf-p.com/a/p/9810/s.html >

A circular multime-dia exhibit hall - The American Experi-ence - presents visitors with 100 displays that emphasize the histori-cal significance and modern relevance of the Constitution. Image Source: ‘A More Perfect Un-ion’, Civil Engineering [online article]< http://www.lera.com/files/ncc%20article_p01-full%20article-clean-reduced.pdf >

case studies

site selection

This thesis essentially strives to create a democratic space by cre-ating a forum or an interface for public-state interaction. Thereby Fullfilling conditions of public par-ticipation in the affairs of the state.

Such an interface can created while dealing with the state at dif-ferent heirarchies. There are vari-ous scales of Public Participation and engagement in policy devel-opment and Planning.The Pragati Maidan site for the Supreme Court Annexe represent a higher level of authority.

The Vikas Bhawan Site represents an interaction with the state at a more smaller level. But the pos-sibility for public interaction and information exchange is more. For this reason I am choosing the Vikas Bhawan Site for this project.

Supreme Court Annexe Site, Pragati Maidan

Vikas Bhawan, IP Estate

site selection

In order to proceed to next step I expirented with different forms and movement patterns on site so as to incorporate it with the previous exercise.