3. CASE STUDIES

2. CASE STUDIES OF CULTURAL CENTRES

The main aim of the case study and the literature study is to understand the main aspects required in designing a cultural centre for a particular subject as obscure as the Siddi culture. Every space has its own importance and every space plays its own role in keeping the space alive. Case studies are required to figure out these spaces and whether to incorporate them of lose them in one’s design.

The following case studies have been chosen to do a case study in depth.

1. NATIONAL CRAFTS MUSEUM, New Delhi, India. 2. MADHYA PRADESH TRIBAL MUSEUM, Bhopal, India. 3. CajaGRANADA CULTURAL CENTER, Granada, Spain. 4. KING ABDULAZIL CENTRE FOR WORLD CULTURE, Dharhan, Saudi Arabia.

The criteria by which these projects were selected were quite peculiar. By now a person would have noticed that two of the above four case studies are from India and are not of Cultural Centers, but of Museums. The reason for this being that I have visited the latter during my visit to Bhopal and I could not do a live case study as my thesis took place in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. Nonetheless, the reason I have chosen these particular museums is because they both play a part in preserving some part of a culture. The National Crafts museum in Delhi helps preserve Indian Traditional craftsmanship through architecture whereas the Madhya Pradesh Tribal museum in Bhopal helps preserve the culture commemorative of the nine forest tribes of that state.

The latter two mentioned case studies are from Europe and the Middle east respectively, places where culture first boomed and humanity persevered. The CajaGranada Cultural center is located in the valley surrounded by the Andalucian Mountains and the Andalucian people are quite different from the common Spanish people. This cultural center was made for that exact purpose to retain Andalucian culture. The KAACWC in the Kingdon of Saudi Arabia is a centre that clain to preserve world culture but giving importance to Saudi Arabian bodouin culture. This cultural heritage centre is the pinnacle of modern architecture for cultural centres.

Stating these facts, I hope to justify my selection criteria for my case studies for this project.

NATIONAL CRAFTS MUSEUM, New Delhi, India.

LOCATION : BhaironMarg near puranaquilla, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

ARCHITECT : Charles Correa.

AREA OF THE PROJECT : 6800 sqm.

Above : Map and plan of the Crafts museum and Hastakala Academy.

This museum is also knows as National Handicrafts and Handlooms museum and more recently as Crafts museum and Hastakala academy. This museum is managed by the National Ministry of Textiles. This museum was established in 1950 due to the efforts of freedom fighter patriot Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay. The whole museum is set up like a village and the current building was designed and built by architect Charles Correa.

This museum’s importance lies in the fact that it shares a common space for artisans alike and different to share their work with counterparts from all over the country. This act transformed the space from a mere exhibit to a space to a cultural exchange and a craft promotion area.

The museum has three main entrances, namely – The Bhairon Marg entry (Visitor), The Pragati Maidan entry (Visitor) and the Pragati maidan staff/service entry.

This is a picture showing a satellite view of the museum and nearby monuments or possible landmarks.

YEAR OF BUILD : 1975 –1990

FORM AND SCALE : Masculine form and Human Scale

STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE : Vernacular style of architecture using rural techniques from Indian villages.

CONNECTIVITY : This is a site located very well connected to all corners of the national capital. This museum is connected to the main road with a 24m wide (72ft) road with approximately means 3+1 lanes for each sideof traffic. Walking commuting pedestrians have an advantage too as there exists a 2m pavement. The street outside is a National Highway and directly connects to the Asian highway in 300m. To the north of the site lies Pragathi Maidan metro station within 200 metres. So we can fairly conclude and say that this museum is pretty well-connected.

Photographs of the craft museum inside.

LAYOUT : This project was an exercise in architectural and cultural metaphors. The low-lying museum building is a reflection of vernacular architecture and fine craftsmanship. Several architectural elements like the Jharokha, roof tiles, semi-open and open passages, internal courtyards, arches, carved doors, posts, pillars, perforated iron screens etc. are all visual delights.

Apart from these above features, the museum houses research and documentation facilities, a reference library, a conservation laboratory, a photo laboratory and a auditorium.

FACILITY AREAS IN SQ.M FACILITY AREAS IN SQ.M