displacement brutal genocide
migration
brief
lost
suffering
in august 1947, british india was divided into india and pakistan (east and west). this partition led to the largest human mass migration, with an estimated 12 million people, braving violence, riots, rapes, and robberies. there have been insightful, in-depth projects that have captured different facets of partition. it has been well documented in literature & films. however, there is no place where these efforts are all preserved and accessible together. hence, the proposal to create a physical space that will be a memorial to the personal and human tragedies of this event, a commemoration of the resilience of people that migrated, a reminder of the need for continuous dialogue.
scope serve as a place of learning and remembering by being a repository of the documents, audio-visual images, oral and written testimonies, books, art and other materials on the Partition serve as a space of healing, commemoration and dialogue on this event that radically changed lives, families, communities and nations be a venue for screenings, discussions, and renditions of the works of fiction and non-fiction related to Partition.
yadgar-e-taqseem
memories of the partition : museum & memorial paldi, ahmedabad
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surroundings 1
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site
paldi, ahmedabad - vacant, flattened land
with no vegetation - river sand top surface - property of the govt. - used informally for parking - flanked on two sides by main roads - total area : 12.7 acres | 51386.61 sq.m. (northern + southern site) - northern site area : 18908 sq.m. - southern site area : 32479 sq.m.
sabarmati river
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design inspiration : jewish museum, berlin - designed as a conceptually expressive tool to represent the Jewish lifestyle before, during, and after the Holocaust. - expressing feelings of absence, emptiness, and invisibility - using architecture as a means of narrative and emotion.
concept development : the scar - a symbolic treatment of the form : a deep wound on our land which has healed, but will never be forgotten - the land ripped apart to reveal the stories :
structures rise from the ground
form development
yadgar-e-taqseem
memories of the partition : museum & memorial paldi, ahmedabad
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proposed site plan arrival plaza
services discussion podium
storage & labs
cafeteria, museum shop storage & labs
tower level - observation deck ground level - discussion podium research library congregation space
contemplation space
1st level - museum 2nd level - visible storage
cafeteria, museum shop observation deck arrival plaza
congregation space research library auditorium
museum
admin block
car parking
oat
auditorium
oat
yadgar-e-taqseem
memorial
memories of the partition : museum & memorial paldi, ahmedabad
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design development strategy
keywords
- similar to daniel libeskind's jewish museum, the focus is to make an emotional impact on the visitor through architecture
- first step was to look into stories, films, videos and writing down emotions & feelings that were experienced by the people during partition - next step was to pool together a set of predominant words that stood out among them and make it into
a sequential structure - structures and spaces are thought out &
derived from the narrative
sabarmati river
event ground arrival plaza oat tower auditorium
services admin block museum
museum
research library
main entrance view
tower
congregation space
storage & labs
oat
main entrance
admin block
auditorium arrival plaza
auditorium admin block
ticketing
museum
main entrance
tower
tower research library services
museum research library
services
yadgar-e-taqseem
memories of the partition : museum & memorial paldi, ahmedabad
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arrival plaza & lobby
Plaza Approach
Statues fill the lobby
sucked into - the rising earth and the sharp triangle converging into a relatively small opening which serves as the arrival plaza - as one walks towards it, the feeling of spaces closing down upon us is realised, as if we are pulled into it
arrival plaza disoriented, unavoidable - unexpectedness arrives when people realise that the museum entrance is still to come - right in front is the piercing roof structure of the museum lobby pointing straight towards us, making us uncomfortable and wanting to move away
- human statues representing the suffering people of the partition fill the lobby - visitors have to wade through them to reach the museum reception, as if welcoming the
arrival plaza
visitors to hear their story and share their sorrow
lobby
basement level
museum
lobby interior : filled with statues
understanding the museum built form consisting of two levels. museums in general do not require much natural light. but overall, it has a very porous composiion that allows light into the lowest level. the upper level spaces are actually indivitual pockets connected by bridges. every roof structure has near identical profile and slits to allow light. roof profiles : varied heights
galleries : -3.0m
visible storage : +3.0m visible storage : +3.0m
galleries below
gallery walls
galleries : -3.0m
slit openings glass covering
lobby
emergency exits
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memories of the partition : museum & memorial paldi, ahmedabad
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central maze
glass skylight
- a transition space between galleries is made into a confusing & deceiving circulation for visitors initially - symbolising the aimless and lost feeling of the people during partition, how they were mislead, fooled and confused
- an organic profile which closes the two ends of the roof structure in a seamless manner ; acting like a skin
contemplation space
water as calming element - near the exit, this space is for people to sit and reflect on their experience - light through the triangular opening is dispersed to bring about a holy and divine effect - whole floor is sunken & filled with ankle deep water
water as calming element - an opening at the ground level brings sunlight into the relief space to lift the mood of the people who take a break from the intensity - a gentle waterfall trickles down the wall : a soothing effect on our ears & body
relief space
opening
museum
museum supporting facilities : descriptions
discussion centre - a podium for the people to voice their
opinion, orate their stories, spark debates.
observation deck : great view of the city
a three dimensional arena - inspired from the famous
stepwells of ahmedabad - the whole OAT sinks under the ground with a
central pond - stages has four levels which can be used for simultaneous or indivitual performances
oat research library
research library entrance
storage & labs
yadgar-e-taqseem
memories of the partition : museum & memorial paldi, ahmedabad
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