Travancore final report

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CHITKARA SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE

Building Study Report Professional Internship - II

TRAVANCORE PALACE Kasturba Gandhi Marg New Delhi

SUBMITTED BY : VINAY KAUSHAL (CUN120301107)


CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 1.1 Introduction

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1.2 Reason for Selection

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1.3 History

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1.4 Site Description

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1.5 Building Bye-Laws

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CHAPTER 2 2.1 Design

15

2.2 Restoration Plan

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2.3 Physical Conservation & Maintenance

18

2.4 Travancore Site Development

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2.5 Design Considerations & Restrictions

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2.6 Existing Drawings

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CHAPTER 3 3.1 Proposal

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3.2 Material & Finishes

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3.3 Door & Windows

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3.4 Storm Water Drawing

56

3.5 Electrical Drawings

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3.6 Proposal Drawings

61

CHAPTER 4

4.1 Site Layout Analysis

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4.2 Space Planning Analysis

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

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1.1 INTRODUCTION : Name of the Project: TRAVANCORE PALACE, DELHI Nature of the Project: Conservation, Adaptive Re-use Plan & Site Development Architect/ Firm: M/S KHESTRA Owner/ Client: State Public Works Department, Govt. of Kerala Location: Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi Year of Completion: On Going Total Built Up Area: 3450.3 sq. m

Aim & Scope of Project : In the National Capital New Delhi, Government of Kerala has three plots in its possession with building in it. They are Kerala House (2.496 acres), Travancore Palace (8.075) and Kapurthala plot (4.1 acres). These plots were actually owned by erstwhile Maharajas of Kerala in the post independence period. Travancore Palace and kapurthala plots were in the possession of the Maharaja of Travancore and the present Kerala House was the sole property of the Raja of Cochin. After independence, the plot by the side of Jantar Mantar Road came at the disposal of Government of Kerala. Travancore Palace and Kapurthala plot which were took over by the British Government for war purposes, came under the possession of the Central Government. After a long period’s case, a decade ago, by the order of Delhi High Court, these properties have also come under the possession of Government of Kerala. Through the years after independence the Travancore Palace was put to different uses, including being the Cultural Department of the Embassy of USSR in 1958. Currently it houses various offices of the Kerala Government. The renovation plan intends to restore it physically and spatially to facilitate setting up of an art gallery/museum with related infrastructure. Year of Construction : 1930 AD Age of Building : 80 Years Architectural Style : Palladian Building Status : Grade A Heritage Building (INTACH Delhi Listing)

Architectural Visualization of the Palace 1|Page


1.2 REASON OF SELECTION : My reason for choosing this building is , being a Heritage Structure which has been designed in 1930 and in an area like Lutyens Bungalow Zone, Delhi. According to me, with this project as my building study, I’ll be able to study and analyse how restoration and adaptive reuse and site development of a heritage building is done with the availability of minimum possible alterations and be able to create a feasible outcome. To be able to gain knowledge about the functionality, space planning and designing of various services which are incorporated in such projects. Plus, being a conservation enthusiast whenever I visit any heritage structure or building it makes me curious to know how does a place so huge functions so well till now after so many years after its construction and by studying about this project I feel I’ll be able to calm my curiosity too.

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1.3 HISTORY : Travancore palace is also known as Travancore House, it the only princely residence that carries the tag of palace in its name. the main gate of the palace bears the royal crest of two elephants and a conch right on the, as it were hundred years ago. The palace therefore is also famous as “The Hathiwali Kothi�. Maharaja of Travancore attended the Delhi Durbar in 1911 and was allotted a piece of land in 1915 for his Delhi palace. However it was Maharaja Shree Padmanabhadasa Sree Chithira Tirnal (1912- 1991) who built the simple yet elegant Travancore House at a total capital cost of four lakh rupees. As a process of managing the princely palaces the New Delhi Municipal Committee asked the Travancore government in 1928 to appoint an agent as representative of the state in New Delhi. C.G.Bomfield , renowned architect and caretaker of palace was appointed as the agent.

The main gate of Travancore House showcasing the royal crest of two elephants carrying a conch

Travancore palace was built of a plot of more than eight acres. The adjoining plot measuring about six acres, since relinquished by Kapurthala Durbar, was also bought by Travancore, making it one of the biggest areas acquired by a princely state in Delhi. Travancore Palace is a pristine white, doublestoreyed building. The central structure with Corinthian columns was flanked by identical wings curtained by similar high columns. During the time of Maharaja it was guarded by armed personnel of the state while Travancore flag fluttered on the top of the parapet. Maharaja Shree Padmanabhadasa Sree Chithira Tirnal

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The main hall of the palace was appropriately decorated wit brass bowls and ivory articles especially brought from Travancore. There were two drawing rooms in the palace , out of which the Kashmir drawing room was most ornate. The foyer at the entrance was decorated with a chandelier and two alcoves on both sides. The bedroom’s were minimally but artistically done with furnishings matching with the respective colour scheme. The floor was covered with handwoven Mirzapur carpets in burgundy red, emerald green, ivory and honey beige colours. The uniqueness of the building lies in its design in Palladian architectural style without any flight of stairs. Travancore house does not accommodate any Indian element, thus allowing the assumption that the architect must have been steeped in European Classicism. The Travancore palace is a perfect example of symmetry. The guests could be ushered to the garden straight through the corridor and the main hall. Small oval shaped, it boasted two identical fountains and was filled with creepers and seasonal flowers. Cutting through the middle causeway connected the hall to as series of rooms placed at its end for the officials. The lime concrete terrace had well appointed service ducts and fireplace exhausts.

Travancore Palace, New Delhi 1936 : A rear side view of palace surrounded by mango orchards

The Entrance Porch Travancore Palace, New Delhi 1936 : The palace was illuminated on the occasion of Maharaja’s visit on 4th March 1936 4|Page


1.4 SITE DESCRIPTION: The site for TRAVANCORE PALACE is located on Shrimant Madhav Rao Scindia Marg, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi

1922 Map showing the Travancore Palace property boundary

Mosque Travancore Palace

Google Earth view of Travancore Palace 5|Page


1.5 BUILDING BYE-LAWS: The project has been sanctioned as per the guidelines set up by the LUTYENS DELHI URBAN ARTS COMMISION BUILDING BYE LAWS. The data for Bye-laws has been sourced from the following document: DELHI URBAN ARTS COMMISION, July 2015 The following guidelines apply to the site,

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2.1 DESIGN : Building : The Travancore Palace is the former residence of the Maharaja of Travancore in Delhi. It was the erstwhile residence of the Travancore ruler in the heart of the capital city. The building has been categorized as a heritage building by the New Delhi Municipal Council. The effort of the Kerala state government is to transform this heritage building into a cultural complex. As part of this plan, an art gallery has been set up in the Travancore House. Through the years after independence the Travancore Palace was put to different uses, including being the Cultural Department of the Embassy of USSR in 1958. Currently it houses various offices of the Kerala Government. The adaptive re-use plan intends to restore the structure physically and spatially to facilitate setting up of an art gallery/museum with related infrastructure. Further urban design proposal includes development of the entire 8 acre site. The aim is to develop the site, such as to create an environment befitting a historical structure and a public building. As is the case with most of the historic buildings and sites, the generating principle of the design has always been geometry and symmetry, in the process creating a bold man made statement in an otherwise natural organic environment. The proposed design is an extension of the same principles.

Old Photographs of the Travancore Palace 15 | P a g e


Palladian Architecture : The building was made in year 1930 and is made in Palladian architectural style. Palladian architecture is a European style of architecture derived from and inspired by the designs of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio (1508–1580). That which is recognized as Palladian architecture today is an evolution of Palladio's original concepts. Palladio's work was strongly based on the symmetry, perspective and values of the formal classical temple architecture of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. From the 17th century Palladio's interpretation of this classical architecture was adapted as the style known as Palladianism. It continued to develop until the end of the 18th century. The style continued to be popular in Europe throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, where it was frequently employed in the design of public and municipal buildings. However, as an architectural style it has continued to be popular and to evolve; its pediments, symmetry and proportions are clearly evident in the design of many modern buildings today. In India this style was brought by the britisher’s. Some of the main features of Palladian architecture were: Columns Columns with Greek orders are characteristic of Palladian design. Scallop shells Scallop shells are a typical motif in Greek and Roman art. The shell is a symbol of the Roman goddess Venus, who was born of the sea, from a shell. Pediments Pediments were used over doors and windows on the outside of buildings. They are also found over inside doors. The design of objects in the Palladian style often incorporates this sort of architectural element. Symmetry Palladian design tends to be highly symmetrical. This means that when a line is drawn down the middle, each side is a mirror image of the other. Symmetry and balance were important in the ancient Greek and Roman architecture that inspired Palladianism. Pediment

Greek Columns

Symmetry & Proportion

A villa with a superimposed portico, from Book IV of Palladio's 16 | P a g e


2.2 RESTORATION PLAN, KEY FEATURES : Site & Building Environment : Clearing the site of over grown vegetation and creating an environment befitting a historical structure and a public building, • Constructing a stone apron around the perimeter of the building to protect walls and foundations from moisture. • Site and building level rain water harvesting. • Outdoor signage in coherence with a historic precinct. Spatial Re-organization & Furniture Layout : In order to make all areas usable as per their potential, causing minimum disturbance to the original/recreated fabric of the building, the following redistribution of spaces to different offices is proposed, • Ground Level : Permanent Exhibition Gallery, Exhibition Gallery 1 + Store + Admin, Exhibition Gallery 2 + Store + Admin, Entrance Foyer & Wash Rooms. • Ground Level (Annex) : Art Gallery Administration • First Level : Conference Hall 1 + Lounge, Pantry & Store, Conference Hall 2 + Lounge, Pantry & Store, Wash Rooms. Physical Conservation & Maintenance : In order to ensure safety and usability of the building following interventions are proposed, • Complete physical restoration of interiors and exteriors and maintenance plan for upkeep. • Making the environment legible and easily accessible for all by placing free standing signage in coherence with the historical ambience of the building.

Effect of moisture and vegetation on the building 17 | P a g e


2.3 PHYSICAL CONSERVATION & MAINTENANCE : Walls • General Work: Scraping the existing coat of paint and finishing with 3mm Sibara coat, white colour for interior. • Where plaster is damaged/seepage is observed/raising dampness is seen: Scraping the plaster to the extent of 30% wider than the affected area to expose the masonry, and replastering with lime in 3 coats and finishing in sibara. Floors • General Work: Providing new vinyl flooring for Gallery spaces, and terrazzo flooring for office/Admin spaces. • For Wet Areas: Retaining the ceramic flooring where in good condition and laying new ceramic rustics flooring in damaged/new portions.

Condition of Plaster on the Walls

Condition of Floor

Ceilings • General Works: Scraping the existing coat of paint and finishing with 3mm Sibara coat, white colour for interior. • Where damaged: Scraping the plaster to the extent of 30% wider than the affected area to expose the roofing and re-plastering with lime in 3 costs and finishing in sibara. • Where False Celing is Added: Removing the false ceiling and restoring the original with sibara finish. 18 | P a g e


Roof • General Works: Removing the bitumen layer added for water proofing and laying lime surkhi concrete as per specification. • Where Cemented: Retained as it is. Openings • General Works: Scraping the existing coat of paint and finishing with 3mm Sibara coat, white colour for interior. • Where damaged in plaster: Scraping the existing coat of paint and redoing/completing the ornamentation in lime plaster.

Condition of the Ceiling

Doors • General Works: Scraping the woodwork to remove existing paint/grease/etc. and applying fresh coat of oil-based paint in approved colour and varnish. • Where damaged: To be replaced in same material and design. • Where components missing/broken: To be replaced in same material and design. Windows • General Works: Scraping the woodwork to remove existing paint/grease/etc. and applying fresh coat of oil-based paint in approved colour and varnish. • Where damaged: To be replaced in same material and design. • Where components missing/broken: To be replaced in same material and design.

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Staircases • General Works: Scraping the woodwork to remove existing paint/grease/etc. and applying fresh coat of oil-based paint in approved colour and varnish. • Where worn-out: Dismantling and making staircase in wood with same design. Facades • General Works: Scraping the existing coat of paint and finishing with 3mm Sibara coat and lime based paint of approved colour. • Where damaged: Scraping the plaster to the extent of 30% wider than the affected area to expose the masonry and re-plastering with lime in 3 costs and finishing in sibara and lime based paint of approved colour. Facade Elements • General Works: Scraping the existing coat of paint and finishing with 3mm Sibara coat and lime based paint of approved colour for parapets and cornices. • Where damaged: Removing and reconstructing the parapet where damaged in brick and finishing in lime mortar • Where missing: Reconstructing the parapets in brickwork and finishing in lime plaster with similar design.

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Ornamentation • General Works: Scraping the existing coat of paint and finishing with 3mm Sibara coat and lime based paint of approved colour. • Where damaged: Re-doing the ornamental work in lime plaster using jute fiber reinforcement and finishing in sibara and lime based paint of approved colour. Electrical • General Works: Re-installation of electrical wiring by chiseling the walls for insertion and finishing as mentioned above. No chiseling shall be done on ceiling. • New Works: Installation of new lighting fixtures befitting a historic building using energy saving models. Shifting the electrical panels boards into the newly designated Electrical Room. Mechanical • General Works: Removing all window and split A/C equipment currently in use. • New Works: Providing new floor mounted Air Conditioners where required. Plumbing • General Works: Re-doing water supply & sanitary work where leakage is observed in washrooms. Providing new plumbing works where specified. • New Works: Providing new rain water spouts in Cement Concrete. Preparing pits beneath for collection of rain water for harvesting. Construction of rain water harvesting pit.

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2.4 TRAVANCORE PALACE SITE DEVELOPMENT : The aim is to develop the site, such as to create an environment befitting a historical structure and a public building. Keeping the above in view the following uses are proposed: • 2 Nos. stepped halls with 200 people capacity for theatre plays, screening of movies, presentations, music shows, etc. • 2 Nos. Multi-purpose halls which may act as extended exhibition galleries present in the Travancore Palace Building at the Ground Level, or be used for Banquets, Presentations, Workshops, etc. • A permanent Restaurant & Banquet facility with Coffee Shop & Bar with indoor & outdoor seating spaces. • An Open Air Theatre for Performing Arts with temporary spaces for a Food Court. • Administration Building with storage space for South & West Block Spaces along with a library housing collections on all arts and maintaining archival information of all the events that take place on the site. • On-ground Parking Space, as underground construction might be inappropriate

Entrance Porch of the Palace

South side Verandah of the Palace

However, in order to arrive at a coherent and relevant design in relation to the historical Travancore Palace building and the New Delhi area, and to ensure minimum disturbance to the natural setting of the site, the following use-area-height model is adopted for the massing model,

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As is the case with most of the historic buildings and sites, the generating principle of the design has always been geometry and symmetry, in the process creating a bold man made statement in an otherwise natural organic environment. The proposed design is an extension of the same principles, though with a tendency to be dominated by the green cover existing on the site, such that it does not over shadow the historical structure but merely find its existence and sustenance in its shadows.

Proposed Site Layout of Travancore Palace

Map Legend 1 - Travancore Palace (Existing) 2 - South Block 3 - East Block 4 - Open Air Theatre 5 - Restaurant & Banquet 6 - Admin, Store & Library 7 - Parking 8 - Main Entry 9 - Second Entry 10 - Formal Landscape Court (Sculpture Court) 23 | P a g e


2.5 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS : Travancore Palace comes under Grade- A building according to INTACH listing. The definition for Grade A buildings according to Model Heritage Regulations 2011. GRADE-I/A A) Definition Heritage Grade-I comprises buildings and precincts of national or historic importance, embodying excellence in architectural style, design, technology and material usage and/or aesthetics; they may be associated with a historic event, personality, movement or institution. They have been and are the prime landmarks of the region. (B) Objective: Heritage Grade-I richly deserves careful conservation. C) Scope for Changes: Internal changes and adaptive re-use may be allowed, subject to strict scrutiny. Care should be taken to ensure the conservation of all special aspects for which it is included in Heritage Grade-I. In addition to the above, extension or additional building on the same plot or compound may in certain circumstances, be allowed provided that the extension / additional building is in harmony with (and does not detract from) the existing heritage building/(s) or precincts especially in terms of height and faรงade and provided that the additional building is not larger than the original building in terms of mass and scale. So, all the work has to be done by keeping in mind the heritage values and the authenticity of the structure. Moreover no major changes should be made in the structure and the work done should be replaceable. The major consideration was to make proposed design elements or structures in such a way that they should not dominate the palace in any way.

View of Proposed Site Layout 24 | P a g e


2.6 ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS :

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3.1 PROPOSAL : The Travancore Palace building was vacated for restoration in 2015. The external facade of the building has since been re-plastered along with the restoration of the ornamental work.

RESTORATION However, no work has been one in interiors of the building The end use of the building is still not known, and hence it has been decided to restore the building to its original form. Building services like internal electrical point wiring, external monumental lighting, plumbing and sanitary works and HVAC system will also be installed.

DEVELOPMENT Simultaneously site development works like plinth protection apron around the building, pathways, an open air theatre with stage and surface parking is being proposed; along with the interior restoration of halls, corridors and the courtyard garden.

EXISTING CONDITION

PROPOSED- After Restoration and Development

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Restoration – External Façade and Surroundings : COMPONENTS OF WORK • EXTERNAL PAINT FINISH IN WHITE • CONSTRUCTION OF APRON ALONG THE PERIPHERY OF THE BUILDING • CONSTRUCTION OF REFLECTION POOL AND DRIVEWAY FOR DROP OFF • CONSTRUCTION OF ENTRY PLAZAS FOR THE THREE DOUBLE HEIGHT PORCHES IN FRONT AND SINGLE HEIGHT PORCH IN THE REAR • WAY FINDING SIGNAGE • EXTERNAL FOCUS LIGHTING FOR THE HERITAGE BUILDING • EXTERNAL BOLLARD LIGHTING FOR PATHWAYS, PLAZA AND OPEN AIR THEATRE • CONSTRUCTION OF PARKING AREAS • CONSTRUCTION OF LAWNS AND PLANTATIONS • CONSTRUCTION OF OPEN AIR THEATRE AND STAGE • CONSTRUCTION OF OUTDOOR SEATING ALONG PATHWAYS AND PLAZA • PROVISION OF WASTE BINS

Restoration – Interior work : COMPONENTS OF WORK • HOMOGENOUS FLOORING • RE-PLASTERING OF WALL & PAINT IN WHITE • RESTORATION OF SQUINCHES, VAULTS AND COVES IN THE CEILING • RE-CONSTRUCTION AND RE-PLANTING OF COURTYARD GARDEN • REPAIR AND RESTORATION OF DOORS, WINDOWS, VENTILATORS, SKYLIGHTS AND OPENINGS AS PER ORIGINAL • CONCEALED ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR POWER & LIGHTING • PROVISION OF ELEMENTARY ELECTRICAL & LIGHTING FIXTURES • CONSTRUCTION OF WASHROOMS & PANTRIES ALONG WITH PLUMBING & SANITARY WORKS • INSTALLATION OF HVAC SYSTEM (VRV) • ROOFTOP RAIN WATER HARVESTING & RECHARGE PIT • RESTORATION OF ALL ARTWORK & SPECIAL FEATURES

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3.2 MATERIAL & FINISHES : Travancore Palace was a pristine white, double storeyed building. The central structure with Corinthian columns was flanked by identical wings curtained by similar high columns. The main hall of the palace was appropriately decorated with brass bowls and ivory articles especially brought from Travancore. There were two drawing rooms in the palace, out of which the Kashmir drawing room was the most ornate. The foyer at the entrance was decorated with a chandelier and two alcoves on both sides. The bedrooms were minimally but artistically done with furnishings matching with respective colour scheme. It sounded artistic to identify them by the shade of the colour - Grey room, Yellow room, Red room and Buff room. White was the reigning colour on display on ceilings and the walls in the public domain. The floors were covered with handwoven Mirzapur carpets in burgundy red, emerald green, ivory and honey beige colours. The corridors had hanging carpets and suitable pictures.� - Princely Palace in New Delhi, Sumanta K. Bhowmick

Mosque Travancore Palace

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Mosque Travancore Palace


Mosque Travancore Palace


Mosque Travancore Palace


Mosque Travancore Palace


Mosque Travancore Palace


4.1 SITE LAYOUT ANALYSIS : • The total site area is 32,465 sq.m • The ground coverage is 25% i.e. 5,095 sq.m • Built-up area is 8,560 sq.m • Paving & pathways is 4500 sq.m • Roads – 2270 sq.m • Parking area is 2,780 sq.m • Open land area is 16,050 sq.m This states that green cover or the open areas are more than the built-up area on the site. Symmetry is the basic and the main planning principle followed the design as well as the site planning, the palace is placed 60 meters away from the entry gate . This distance makes it in urban scale. The main axis is for designing is taken from the centre of the palace, therefore all the new blocks are placed keeping in mind the symmetry.

MAIN ENTRY

MAIN CENTRAL AXIS

Symmetry in Site Layout 72 | P a g e


• • • • • • • • • •

The north and south exhibition blocks are mirror images of each other. Open air theatre is also placed on the line of axis as the palace building. The secondary gate on canning road is used as the service entry to the site and open parking is given by relocating the quarters present on the site. Administration block & Library is placed near the service entry. 15 meters setback is left from Kasturba Gandhi Marg on the site and 9 meters setback from all the other sides. The maximum height is 11 meters, all the new blocks are kept less in height than the palace, making it the hierarchy of the site. All the blocks are designed in similar style as palace with minimum or no ornamentation. Minimal number of existing trees are displaced or removed from the site. Lime mortar is used on the palace building for repair work as to maintain its values and authenticity making it last long. A special element of horizontal symmetry is added by proposal of a pond in front of the main porch of Travancore palace.

Mosque

Horizontal Symmetry by adding Waterbody

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4.2 SPACE PLANNING ANALYSIS : • • • • •

The ground floor of the palace has exhibition spaces along with some offices. the courtyard colonnade has green rooms and other services. The verandah’s on each side are connected to storage spaces which are further connected to office spaces. There are two temporary galleries and one permanent exhibition gallery on the ground floor. The first floor is having conference and meeting halls.

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TEMPORARY ART GALLERY

Spatial Layout of Art Gallery

• Large Halls with flexible infrastructure to cater to moving exhibitions

• Infrastructure customizable for curating gallery as per requirement • Multiple indoor and outdoor interaction spaces for events like book launches, talks, workshops, seminars, etc. • 2500 sft. of carpet area each with additional foyer and events plaza space • 2800 sft. Courtyard with fountains and landscape for events like poetry, music, stand-up shows, etc. viewable from cafe above

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CONVENTION HALLS

Spatial Layout of Convention Hall

• • • • • •

Large Halls with appropriate infrastructure for academic, professional and private events Multiple seating arrangements as per requirement Central buffet area with seating Each hall with attached pantry, washroom and admin space 2 Halls of 50 pax capacity each (1200 sft. carpet area each) 2 Halls of 30 pax capacity each (750 sft. carpet area each)

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ROOF TOP CAFETERIA

Spatial Layout of Cafeteria

• • • • • •

Rooftop cafe seating of 90 pax capacity overlooking courtyard inside and the open air theatre outside. Kitchen and pantry space. 2400 sft. seating area + 400 sft. Kitchen carpet area. Dedicated building entry and staircase for access. Temporary shading with tensile fabric or wooden pergola. Monumental external lighting for historic ambiance.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY       

Site Visits KSHETRA Architects Ar. Abdul Bari Suparsa - Reviving Built Heritage Princely Palaces in New Delhi – Sumanta K Bhowmick Lutyens Bungalow Zone Boundary and Development Guidelines, 2015 https://www.google.co.in


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