Figure 4-13 Nationional War Memorial at night enhancing the creative lighting strategy

The material palette used is another conscious nod to the context, and because of that, the space innately responds to the heritage zone, not very inextricably different from the existing landscape. Elaborating on another relevant integration, the architects say that ‘the lighting in each circle enhances its emotional component differently. The lighting in the central court around the eternal flame spearheads sideways and up building a sense of eternity as it fades out. The Tyag Chakra seems floating with a series of small lights which resembles the oil lamps that are light in memory of the beloved ones in any Indian home. The streaks of light on the steps create a sense of transition through the concentric rings. As much as the light brought in emphasis and character, the darkness made the required experience deeper and absorbing.”

Figure 4-13 Nationional War Memorial at night enhancing the creative lighting strategy

At this scale, even though the project embraces the vast peripheries of its given site, it is commendable that the invisible becomes visible only by navigating the journey and the power of conveyance that the architecture mediates for the visitor.

The Experience:

When the visitors look around the War Memorial they realize they are surrounded by memories of over 25,942 fallen soldiers. And though each plaque depicts just a name and a number, they are so much more than just that. Each name has a story behind it, one that is perhaps eerily similar to the other, filled with bravery, strength and honor that is akin to fictional superheroes of our times. And yet, each life is also so different from the other.