Hyde Park Competition

Project Type: Studio Project Scale: 8500 mts sq. Semester: Third Year (Semester 6) Date: January to June 2017 Porject Guide: Prof. Percy A. Pithawala Professor S.E.D.A. Navrachana University pithawalapercy@gmail.com

Location:

Hyde Park being the green heart of central London is itself a historical monument cherished by the local people as well as tourists. It is known to host large crowds for many various activities from exhibitions and concerts to protests which continue till today. Therefore, it is a place which symbolizes freedom of the people; freedom to celebrate, express thoughts and emotions.The natural surroundings including trees, animals and water bodies (The Serpentine river and the Long Water lakes), are the elements which give one a sense of freedom. They are the essence and the very reason for the existence of the park as it is today. Therefore, it is important to preserve these landscape elements whilst creating a structure with the required functions. The aim is to build minimally and construct around the natural elements without disrupting the surroundings. For example, building around the trees (minimal cutting of trees) and leaving a large offset from the edge of the river keeping it undisturbed. What happens if we look at the phenomenons of Sound and Silence as elements which run parallel to each other rather than them being contradictory?

The experience of hearing any sound/noise and the state of being in silence is subjective to every human being; for example, one can interpret the act of listening to music or hearing the sounds of nature (such as the wind or bird calls) as silence. Therefore, merely a deviation from the continuous path of sound is required for one to find their personal state of silence.

Intially an experiment was carried out using a hypothetical site and placement of trees. The aim was to create a form and spaces which include both the aspects of sound and silence according to the position of each of the trees, and to realise the number of trees which have to be eliminated in the process.

A few trees randomly placed around a space which is representing sound. Lines generated due to the placement of trees, which can be possible spaces of silence Two primary walls are introduced using the generated lines Retracing the diagram Few spaces are created within the walls. Two trees eliminated in the process. An attenpt to create a larger space has led to restrictions in the future growth of a couple of trees To generate spaces at different levels, one tree was relocated. A total of 2 trees are eliminated in the entire process

This process was carried out to create spaces and the form of the library across the site within Hyde Park:

Looking down onto visitor’s bridge and children’s library from main library.

View of amphitheatre and south gardens from reading balcony A A’

Plan at Lvl +4.5mts B’ C’ D’

Section AA’

South Elevation

The central spine (shown in Plan at lvl +4.5mts and Section AA’) is the book shelf area which is sliced through by the visitor’s bridge. It is the space where many people are gathered and are occupied in search of their reading preference. A small is reading space is created through a deviation from the bookshelf area. The reading area, is quiet as one feels outside of the building and closer to the surrounding nature.

1. Visitor’s Bridge

The visitor’s bridge is an independant structure which is not linked to any of the internal functions of the library. It provides a visual access for the visitors who want to experience the serpentine river at a height and catch a glimpse of the internal part of the library.

2. Main Entry

The two main entries (east and west entries) into the library are atypical to conventional libraries. The entries are open and inviting which lead into a large double-height space with the reception and admin area. Staircases lead them to the children’s and main library spaces. A restricted access (for the library staff) is provided to the archival library areas on the ground floor.

3. Children’s Library

The children’s library is on the first floor with large reading areas adjoined to the book shelf area. It is enclosed with a glass facade, which allows viewing the gardens on the south and provides security for the children.

4. Main Library

The main library is on the second floor which includes a shelf area as well as a balcony which can be used as a reading space and provides a view of the south gardens. The shelf area is the area of sound, where many people are gathered; though quiet, they are occupied in a search of particular type/s of book/s. The balcony on the other hand is a space where one’s mind is silent; though small, the space allows one to indulge in his/her reading, appreciate the surrounding views and listen to the sounds of nature.

5. Open-air Theatre

The open-air theatre acts as a large outdoor gathering space which is easily accessible to all visitors of Hyde Park. It is a place where activities of the library public readings, theatre acts and other performances can take place; similar to other activities which take place regularly at Hyde park.

6. Seating Area and Access to River Bank

The seating area under the library provides direct access from the south gardens of the library to the north Serpentine river edge. It can also act as a silent reading space which is isolated and hidden from the park, the river and the rest of the library.

7. Archival Area

The archival area is on the ground floor which is only accessible through the admin and reception area.

8. Digital / Research Lab

The Digital / Research lab is on the ground floor enclosed with a glass facade providing a view of the Serpentine river edge. 3

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Section BB’

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Section CC’

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