VISITOR CENTER

VISITOR CENTER // FOR ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF SURAT

Chowk, Surat

A concerted effort to preserve our heritage is a vital link to our cultural, educational, aesthetic and economic legacies - All of the things that quite literally makes us who we are. - Steve Berry

View of the Frame of JJ Training College with walls exhibiting the art and sculptures.

Surat with its rich cultural heritage has significant architectural structures in the heart of the city. Though the city has stained the old part with demolition of many heritage structure. The city has also started restoring them. This design tries to bring light to these structures through creation of frames and presenting them creating a storyline with a help of exhibits on walls explaning the city’s history. The design also tries to make a statement as well as stay humble to the context; the planes framing the view places the heritage in a larger exhibit with its content. The opportunity of creating such structure at the city center would also increase the awareness of the city’s progress in restoring and introduce the visitor’s to the history and significance of the surrounding area. Isometric view of the visitor center with context.

Formation of a cylindrical mass was inspired Mario Botta’s architectural language as it was stated in the curriculum to do so. A cylinder having a circular shape in plan provided a equal distance in every direction; giving equal importance to each structure.

Carving up the cylinder by removing masses which helped in the formation of the frames. The remaining parts were wholly assigned a program according to area required for the stated. In the south there were exhibition spaces in the north there is a cafe and admin in the north west.

A platform was raised to a higher level to provide a better view to the heritage structures. The platform facing towards the fort was transformed into an amphitheater creating a space for cultural events. This also created a space for parking underneath.

Encapsulating the frames and the program was the formation of a inclined conical roof exaggerating the frames. The entrance to the structure is provided from the center so as to when it is accessed all the three structures surrounds the person; creating equal importance.

Isometric view of the site and it’s context located in the heart of the Surat city.

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Amphitheatre Store Room

Parking Viewing Gallery Section 2 Parking Exhibition

Viewing Gallery Plenum Space

View of the Frame of the Fort with an amphitheatre for cultural events.

The staircase in the middle was specifically designed to provide a holistic approach inside the building that is the gallery spaces. This helps in the reduction of circulation space; and also has an ease of access to the reception area and the souvenir shop. The galleries are open all the time making them a part of the city scape and the people unifying the city through the space. The central spaces in the galleries would also be used to exhibit performance art.

View of the Frame of Andrew’s Library with exhibits. The structure of the building is loading bearing with the walls of the frame being the primary load bearers.