https://www.auroville.com/about matrimandir

Fig 3.6: level 1: entrance of one of the twin central spiral staircases

Fig 3.8: entrance of meditation cell Fig 3.7: level 2: ramp

Fig 3.9: ‘Lotus pond’ below the Matrimandir

The Four Pillars

The four pillars that support the structure al Matrimandir, and carry the Inner Chamber, hove been set at the four main directions of the compass. They depict the four aspects or personalities of the mother.

 Maheshwari (South Pillar)  Mahakoli (North Pillar)  Mahalakshmi (East Pillar)  Mahasaraswoti (West Pillar)

Fig 3.10: Mahakoli entrance

OUTER CHAMBER

The “Park of Unity” would consist of twelve gardens representing the “twelve attributes of the Mother” and that eventually the Matrimandir and its Park of Unity would be surrounded by a Lake. A lone Banyan tree is the geographical centre of the town.

Fig 3.11: Open air theatre Fig 3.12: ‘Park of unity’-garden

STRUCTURE

Fig 3.13: Four set of pillars

INFERENCE:

Fig 3.14: Up to chamber level

• The principal load carrying members of the superstructure are the four pairs of sickleshaped, 38m high reinforced concrete piers. • Each pair of piers is 2.1m wide. Their thickness is 40cm above ground level and varies from 40cm to 70cm below.

• First came the foundations and the four pairs of piers supporting the entire structure.

3.1.2 Pyramid valley international, Bangalore

Fig 3.15: Pyramid valley view

ABOUT:

Location: Kebbedoddi village kanakapura Taluk (30ms from Bangalore)

Architect: Ar.Nilesh Chopra, Bharathi Prem

Area: 28 acres

Year of completion: 2008

Topography: undulating terrain, because of its location inplatue region. Vegetation: dry deciduous forest-type.

CLIMATE: tropical savanna climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons.

Fig 3.16: location map

CONCEPT:

Thematic architecture every element of the architecture, interiors and landscape is carefully chosen to be thematic. So, even the gardens around and the colours used for the landscaping are all specially chosen for their spiritual compatibility and for enhancing inner harmony and peace, we are informed.

PLANNING P R I N C I P L E S :

The pyramid is oriented along the north south axis, the planning is influenced by the functions incorporated in the campus, and hierarchy is applied for the pyramid to stand out from rest of the environment, which is the most important space of the campus.

Maitreya-Buddha Pyramid: The Pyramid,with a capacity of about 5000 people, is the world’s largest Pyramid built on lines of Pyramid of Giza solely for practising mediation. It has a base area of 160ft X 160ft and is 102ft in height.

Fig 3.17: Maitreya-Buddha pyramid view

The exterior surface of the pyramid is covered by beautiful murals depicting various elements of nature:

• The north face represents air

• The south face represents fire

• The east face represents water

• The west face represents earth

SITE ZONING:

The pyramid, office, parking, research institutes, and amenities are zoned within the reach of visitors to use them without hassle, whereas units like cottages, tents, holistic health centre, spiritual theme park, tree of life, and other spaces which need calmness are zoned in a isolated location free from visitors intrusion.

CAFETARIA: located overlooking the lake and the gigantic Pyramid. This block can be accessed through a small bridge over the rain water channel built with clay ‘Jaali’ blocks.

Fig 3.18: Cafeteria View THE LUMBINI GARDENS: The lumbini

garden is a Zen garden designed for meditation purposes, a Zen garden gives a calming effect on the users

Fig 3.19: Lumbini Garden

1. GATE AND SECURITY DESK 2. PARKING 3. MEDITATION ROOM 4. DORMITORY 5. TOILET 6. GUEST HOUSES 7. ORIENTATION BLOCK 8. STAFF QUARTERS 9. CONFERENCE HALL 10. AMPHITHEATRE 11. DINNING HALL / KITCHEN 12. BHUDDHA STATUE 13. BAMBOO BRIDGE 14. CAFETERIA 15. PAGODA COTTAGE 16. MEDITATION AREA

KABHIR BHAVAN- Pyramid shaped mediation centre. The bare brick structure with aluminium

windows dictates simplicity and minimalism. PAGODA COTTAGES: The cottages are designed such that they dictate sheer simplicity and the architecture treads very lightly on the ground on which these cottages sit, bringing into focus minimalism of the structures, while also being comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

Fig 3.20: Kabhir Bhavan floor plans Fig 3.21: View of Pagoda cottage

M AT E R I A L S :

Exposed brickwork and unplastered concrete ceilings. The architecture with this pallets of materials treads very lightly on the ground, bringing into focus the minimalism of the structures establishing a dialogue with the surrounding land and nature without imposing on them. The deliberate raw and rustic feel of the structure is a conscious effort in an attempt to express the materials in the truest forms.

I N F E R E N C E :

 The features of the site and surroundings are used very well, the structures at Pyramid valley International are simple, plain, what stands out is the aesthetic value of this simplicity.  Apart from visiting pyramid, major activities at the Pyramid Valley include seminars, workshops and annual conferences. Meditational classes and spiritual talks dot the events calendar at Pyramid Valley.

Fig 3.22: Predominant materialpalette

3.2: CASE STUDIES: SPIRITUAL RETREAT

3.2.1: Quiet Healing Centre, Auroville, India

Fig 3.23: site view

ABOUT:

Location: Auroville, TamilNadu, India

Architect: Ar.Poppo Pingel + Ar. Mona doctor

Area: 866.1 sqm

Project year: 1993

Site description: it is located in banks of Bay of Bengal

Vegetation: palm trees + shrub cover

Topography: no contours

CLIMATE: warm and humid climate

Figure 3.24: location map

INTRODUCTION:

The aim is to bring the participant into contact therewith deeper a part of his being from that well his own healing energies and to equip him with the data and techniques whereby that contact could also be maintained when he leaves the programme. The healing work on Quiet is predicated on the understanding that person is 1st and foremost

a belief seeking to specific its truth through the instrumentality of mental, very important and physical nature. It offers a large style of natural healing therapies. It’s an area to relax, rejuvenate, recharge and heal.

SITE CONTEXT:

The site selected for this project connects the place well to each nearest community, community, and town and on different side of nature. One side the structure is enclosed by tall palm trees and Bay of geographical region. The opposite side ends up in the Pondicherry market and town any connecting to heart of Auroville. Therefore the necessity of silent atmosphere for the therapies is consummated further they're well connected to community.

Fig 3.25: Zoning

The built up and open space zoning explains that the structure is well calculatedly with green open spaces in between therefore maintaining the association of nature from exterior to interior. The project isn't nevertheless designed fully as planned, the extension is aimed to be in-built looming future. The sectionalisation of areas as per the activities is calculatedly, separating the personal and public zones.

Fig 3.26: Activity Zoning

SITE PLAN + ORGANISATION:

1-Security Cabin 2- Parking 3-Guest rooms 4-reception 5-Healing Spheres 6- Extended Residential Block 7- Consulting rooms 8-water body 9-storage

Located on the dry land makes it extremely vulnerable to cyclones. The structures are well spaced out to minimize the impact of any injury caused due to cyclones.

Fig 3.27 site plan

CIRCULATION+ MOVEMENT

The circulation of the location is well managed and separated. The frequently coming vehicular doesn’t disturb the activities on site. There is only one node making a traffic node, when there is service vehicle movement.

plan Fig 3.28: circulation

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION

 All the medical aids in circles are placed within the front however the direct entry is restricted.  All the services like kitchen, linen, and other storages are places at the rear of the building  The different zones are organised based on the hierarchy of privacy level.  All the medical aids and corridor spaces opens within the inner courtyards.  Pedestrian movement is regulated all over the building

OPENSPACES:

Open spaces are very well united with the built- form All the linkage like corridors are connected physically to the consultation rooms and visually to the courtyards. The restricted link is established for the therapy room to avoid the disturbance by different users. The passageway floor sab is elevated from the bottom level provides floating impact to the building.

MATERIAL USED:

 The major artefact incorporated in this construction is native brick, lime mortar, lime concrete and bio concrete

 Dome is cladded with broken mosaic tiles to avoid eater water seepage and also the radiation within the building.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

Fig 3.29: Therapy Room Section

The hot and wet climate on web site compelled the creator to use materials that will resist damp. Thus, porous materials like top notch bricks, lime mortar and timber are used.

The domes square measure cladded with China mosaic that reflects most a part of the warmth incident on that, helping to keep the healing rooms cool throughout the day