The Last Square

The intervention

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

The Gateway of India is an during the 20th century in monument was erected of King George V and Queen on their visit to India in 1911.

The Gateway of India is located Apollo Bunder area at the Marg in South Mumbai and After its construction the symbolic ceremonial entrance colonial personnel. Following the last British troops to leave of the Somerset Light Infantry Gateway with a 21-gun on 28 February 1948, signaling and hence the name “The

The monument has also Mahal of Mumbai, and is attraction. The gateway locals, street vendors, and services. The Gateway stands the Taj Mahal Palace and in 1903. In the grounds of monument, stands the statue the Maratha warrior-hero the Mughal Empire to establish the 17th century. The other gateway is that of Swami monk who is credited as introduction of Indian philosophies as Vedanta and Yoga to

Significance

an arch monument built in Bombay, India. The to commemorate the landing Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder 1911.

located on the waterfront at the end of Chhatrapati Shivaji and overlooks the Arabian Sea. Gateway was used as a entrance to India for important been referred to as the Taj is the city’s top tourist is also a gathering spot for and photographers soliciting stands at an angle, opposite to and Tower Hotel, which was built of the gateway, opposite the statue of Shivaji, hero who fought against establish the Maratha Empire in other statue in the locality of the Swami Vivekananda,[an Indian a key figure in the philosophies such to the west.

Following Indian independence, leave India, the First Battalion Infantry, passed through the salute, as part of a ceremony signaling the end of the British Raj “The Last Square”.

Concept Views

The area in front of the Gateway is now used as a loose space for gathering. The main idea of the design is to centralize and give a shape to the functions happening around.

The form is based on a Rubik’s cube, with movable panels and an outer frame (each unit 2 x 2 x 2 m). Keeping it light, tectonic and dynamic in contrast to the bulky, predominant monument in front. The height of the design is purposefully limited to 4m so that the visual connection with the gateway is maintained.

Since it is a very happening and functional space used by all kinds of people, the movable panels involves users in forming spaces. Some of the surrounding petty shops can also be tucked in the intervention creating more chances for human interaction.

These panels are of 3 types a) opaque, b) translucent, c) porous signifying the British time, fight for struggle and the after independence. The panels running on the grooves could be moved by the public, as well as signifying the struggle for freedom. It’s about their efforts. Smaller panels of nine grids are used as puzzles in the interior part of the design, solving which gives a images of any freedom fighters or moments of history. A seating and clear view towards the Gate way is given from interior.

The roof panels given on the top act as rain shelters whereas the higher grid act as shade from harsh sun. The steel frame is illuminated with strip lights during nights.

The colorful light fabric, gain attention of the user group along with giving a dynamic effect to the space

Entire form works similar to as a Rubik's cube

2 x 2 x M cube as basic unit.