NAVGHAN KUVO, JUNAGADH

As a part of Louis I. Kahn Trophy, NASA | Batch 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011

Indian cosmology has perceived water as a purifying and regenerative element that is a very essential part of prayer and consecration. The sacredness of water has been acknowledged throughout the subcontinent by extraordinary and monumental architecture that displays the acme of engineering and architectural achievements.

Man has done wonders with whatever he had and tracing back to that time it may have surely begun as learning. Significantly the concept of step wells remains the same throughout but the immediate structure has taken varied forms with every site. Water being a vital element for life and its adjoining architecture is an opportunity to study. Navghan Kuvo at Junagadh has gone through many battles, thousands have fed over it in need and this magnificent architectural structure still balances a lot; Having an enclosure in an open area, with a water body adjacent to it that would promote activities and the drama of steps which covers greater depths when transverse. An approach of considering nature in the structure is an overwhelming idea. It teaches sensitivity to thousands of people even centuries. The methods of water trenching at the apex and the organization of spaces as they comes are a surprise. Considering all these parameters, this stepwell is a perfect example of water and architecture, the two autonomous words that relate to us undoubtedly.