VISUAL ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGE AS A TOOL TO MAINTAIN CONTINUITY

VISUAL ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGE AS A TOOL TO MAINTAIN CONTINUITY Case of Manekchowk Street, Walled City; Ahmedabad Janhavi Patil1 and Prof. Jaydeep Bhagat2 1 15bar27@nirmauni.ac.in

Final Year Student Institute of Architecture and Planning, Nirma University Ahmedabad, India 2 jaydeep.bhagat@nirmauni.ac.in

Thesis Guide, Professor Institute of Architecture and Planning, Nirma University Ahmedabad, India

Abstract

The old city of Ahmedabad is going through a transformation. Newly built fabric in the old city does not in any way relate, modify or interpret the architectural character which is evident in the older buildings. They only maintain the footprint but the identity of the buildings and hence built fabric is lost. These older buildings follow a set of rules and principles which defines the architectural language. The architectural language is governed by the composition of elements and its articulation which leads to the formation of the visual character of the streets and chowk. The research tries to trace and decipher the architectural elements and formulate a set of architectural guidelines by tracing the exiting language, which will aid the future transformation to retain the identity of the selected area of Manekchowk.

Keywords: Architectural Elements, Character, Transformation, Visual Identity, Architectural language

1. Introduction Cities have been serving as centres of trade and commerce for centuries. As time passes, these city cores transform itself into historic urban centres or into inner city region. The inner city is stained by several problems like obsolete infrastructure facilities, inadequate use of buildings, lack of open spaces, traffic congestion, a mix of conflicting land uses, poor dwellings and unhygienic conditions, unemployment and poverty. While most of them still stand clustered with buildings and other features of historical and cultural value in the city, these living tradition and culture fall into neglect, often as an unintended by-product of rapid urbanization. These historic urban centres represent opportunity for growth and economic generation. Considering the rapid transformation, there is an urgent need to focus on conserving its overall visual character and protecting the urban fabric.

In the walled city, traditional house forms portray a similar timber construction material and visual divisions irrespective of the element composition. This creates a sense of continuity in the fabric. A wholeness of identity is perceived from the traditional builtups. Whereas, in case of new construction, no uniformity is evident. The house forms have an independent identity of its own with no corresponding trait with another. They only retain the footprint but the character, divisions and visual language is lost.

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In case of transformation of the present urban space, the character generated must merge with traditional fabric. It should fit in with the identity of the place as well as be contemporary in cultural, social and urban terms. Manekchowk, considered to be the heart of walled city is the selected study area. The thesis deals with the existing character of a street from Manekchowk precinct of walled city and its present architectural language. It is interesting to study the transformation of such a space over the years which itself serves a lot of functions and changes its character through time along the day.

1.1 Aim The aim is to trace the existing visual architectural language, as a tool, to determine a façade control order which will maintain the continuity of character in the newer development.

1.2 Objectives • • •

To trace the facade details of selected existing built fabric along the street.

To identify the various architectural elements of existing facade that contribute to define the character.

To derive a set of tolerance levels for various facade elements to maintain character of the street within the old city.

1.3 Research Questions • •

What are the elements which contribute to evolve the architectural character of the street?

What are the tolerance ranges of elements that should be maintained to continue the visual character of street?

1.4 Limitations • • •

It is difficult to study the character and architecture of the whole precinct, hence only a part from Manekchowk is chosen.

This façade control order will be valid only if the original plot line of builtform is not changed in the future developments.

The lack in clarity of knowledge related to the concept of transformation in urban space among the local people.

1.5 Methodology This is a case-oriented research that will study and analyse the facade elements of selected study area from Manekchowk Precinct. It will do this by analysing the composition of elements and how they contribute to the continuity of the character in the fabric.

• • • •

The site study includes choosing a set of builtform from the selected street, study of its immediate context and tracing the builtforms for their present character.

The visual analysis will be formulated for all the builtforms and the street.

Analysis of façade elements for their existing architectural style and traditional character to derive a tolerance range.

Concluding result will lead to a set of architectural facade control order, to be followed during future developments in order to retain the present visual identity.

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2. Visual Character Visual architectural language is the key medium that gives continuity to a fabric. It gives a unique identity to the builtform of a precinct and gradually evolves a character. It directly focuses on the façade, its elements and the external expression of the building. The elements of the façade play the dominating role, their location, colours, materials, texture and composition give rise to an identity. Design of the façade is the foremost factor that captures the attention. It helps identify the scale, the function and the importance of the building in the given set of surrounding.

The overall external appearance of every building or built form follows a certain order and principles which guide the• placement of architectural elements • massing of terrace/ balcony • repetition of patterns • proportion of openings • combination of colours and textures • articulation and ornamentation of the elements • style of overhangs and projections • roofing style/ material 2.1 Identity of a Heritage Precinct The façade of heritage builtforms gives the first visual impression of the area, so it has a major contributing role in generation of identity. The monumental buildings, historic settlements and traditional language evolve the fabric of a heritage precinct. This built fabric generates the character of the area. Character when seen as a whole evolves an identity of the space. In case of heritage precinct, the rich visual architecture contributes to its identity.

The essence of this visual architecture in the historical developments are the articulated traditional elements. When these elements are amalgamated with footprint, scale and massing a unique identity of the heritage precinct is recognized.

2.2 Element and Continuity

Elements

Architectural Language

Visual Character

Identity

Continuity

2.3 Character and Continuity • • • •

Character is the inbuilt identity assigned through qualities over the time It is important to conserve the character to maintain continuity of fabric even after transformation A change is envisioned as a series of modifications on a builtform that retain its identity but give a different character Character elaborates the continuity against change, it states that even if changes occur the original qualities don’t transform.

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3. Analysis of Manekchowk Street; Walled City, Ahmedabad 3.1 Study Area

Manekchowk Precinct

Context of Manekchowk Precinct, Walled City

Selected Study Area

The selected study area is identified from Manekchowk precinct, old city. Today Manekchowk is considered to be a bustling market during the day and a food chowk by the night. The present style of architecture seen in these building, as implemented by Ahmad Shah is from the Sultane Period. He permitted the pure style to be merged with the local elements. The dominating articulation is found to be of traditional Gujarati motifs as crafted by the local craftsmen.

Manekchowk Street Elevation showing selected builtforms

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Study of a chosen builtform

Picture showing existing traditional character

Section showing levels

Plans indicating spatial changes on different levels

Elevation indicating the faรงade elements

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3.2 Visual Analysis Slab Height Analysis

Slab height analysis at street level, to determine average range.

Average slab heights as compared to the slab heights of selected builtforms.

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Vertical Divisions

Vertical divisions as seen at street level and in builtforms. These are governed by elements like columns, openings or articulation details.

Projections

Projections as seen in builtforms.

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Standard Openings

Example of a standard shutter opening

3.3 Material and Colour Study Materials

Construction

Facade

Openings

Roofing

Shading elements

Railing Materials

Details

Timber Flat bricks Lime mortar Cow dung/ Mud mortar Stone RCC Brick masonry Concrete blocks Acrylic Sheets Iron Corrugated sheets Aluminium Clay tiles Stained glass Glass brick Fabricated Sheets Material as used in major elements Colour Scheme Dominant colour scheme in Traditional BuiltformsBrown monochrome, ochre monochrome, beige-brown and blue-brown.

Dominant colour scheme in Modern/ New BuiltformsGrey monochrome, beige-grey, brown-grey and blue-grey monochrome

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4. Comparative study observations of Jaipur Walled City GDCR and Ahmedabad Walled City GDCR The matrix shows detailed conservation measures and documentation done by Jaipur Government as compared to the Ahmedabad Heritage body.

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To conserve architectural character certain proposed guidelines must have drawings and dimension analysis as documentation.

• In case of new developments detailed measure drawings of architectural elements, openings and facade leads to the continuity in the identity of the space.

• Guidelines for minute attributes like street furniture, pavement patterns and signages incorporate uniformity in the precinct.

• Listing of materials, colours and textures that blend with the existing built is provided, this aids the new development to maintain the visual architecture.

• Options and viable outcomes in case of renovation, additions and repairs must be presented; deviation from these must be avoided. This will ensure similar modifications in the fabric and hold the essence of historical identity.

Ahmedabad lacks this analysis and requires such a set of architectural Facade Control Order in order to retain the present fabric and its character.

5. Conclusion 5.1 Criteria for Façade Control Order The inferences as derived from the study area analysis formulate the façade control order.

The following order restricts to the character of conventional elements of facade. This when followed for new developments can maintain the continuity in the character of Manekchowk street. a) Orientation • The orientation of all the new builtforms must strictly complement the existing built and not alter the streetscape.

• All the new builtforms must have a direct entry facing the street and provide 0.5m-0.6m of spillover space towards the footpath.

• The major openings and balcony must open on the front façade. b) Subdivision/ Merge • Single plot should not be further divided.

• The plot subdivisions must be done in manner that the façade verticality and its scale is retained.

• In case of merging the plots, the vertical division should retain the proportions as followed in a single builtform. c) Height • The heights of the new building must reflect a relation with the immediate fabric and not dominate or alter the vista.

• Maximum permissible height, excluding the parapet; should fall in the range of 11m-15m. d) Usability of space • All the new builtforms should strictly dedicate the ground floor space to commercial activities.

• Respecting the mixed-use zoning, the upper floors are permitted to commercial or residential use, as per the owner’s decision.

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e) Form and massing • The form and massing of new builtforms must reflect the immediate heritage fabric and show a sense of continuity.

• The scale and proportions of elements must adhere to the range as specified in the table 5.1 • Number of permissible floors must be 3-5, in accordance to the allowed height. f) Façade Composition • The façade must have visible and demarcated floor divisions, indicated by horizontal members or articulated cornice.

• Openings and elements must break the facade into vertical divisions to ensure verticality of façade character. This must divide the façade into an odd number of parts.

• Slab heights of new builtforms must follow the derived range given in table 3.2.

• The ratio of openings to build must be maintained as reflected in the existing fabric.

Standard opening sizes must be followed as specified in table 5.1 • All floors must have an opening/ balcony on the front façade.

• Stained glass must be used in case of dormer windows or ribbon windows.

• The openings on ground floor must connect to the spillover space and create a pedestrian friendly entry.

• Staircase entry should be facing the street and must be adjacent to the shops of ground floor.

• Alignment of sill and lintel projections is favourable.

• Overhangs or Chajja must be present for all openings.

• The roofline of the builtform must have projected articulation or a defined cornice line.

• The building edge must respect adjacent fabric by having subtle similarity of scale and proportions. g) Materials and Colours • The ratio of combination of materials in different elements must be followed as analysed in pie charts (fig 3.42, 3.43, 3.44 and 3.45).

• In case of modern materials, the texture should be achieved as closely as possible to the present traditional builtform.

• Colour scheme must be strictly followed as given in fig. 3.50. h) • • •

Projections Overhangs or Chajja should have a maximum fall of 0.6m.

Articulated projections upto 0.2m must demarcate the floor divisions of façade.

The roofline of the builtform must have projected articulation falling maximum upto 0.2m.

i) Walls • The new builtform must have common sharing walls with the adjacent built and not be an independent structure.

• The wall finish must match the existing material and colour palette. j) • • •

Roofs In case of flat RCC roof, parapet upto 0.8m must be provided.

If dormer windows are used the roofline must have an articulated cornice finish.

The major temporary roofing material used is corrugated sheets, any other similar replacement in modern materials is permitted.

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k) Matrix of Faรงade Control Order

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l) Restrictions The following actions are prohibited in case of a new development on the Manekchowk street in walled city: • • • • • • •

Demolition or reconstruction of the whole builtform, unless its condition is unfavourable for residing.

Change in the exterior façade, alterations in vertical divisions or modifications in scale different from the tolerance range.

Further division of a single plot.

Removing/ replacing the traditional carvings and articulations.

Incorporating details from a of style of architecture other than Guajarati traditional motifs, Persian or Indo-Saracenic.

Alterations or additions in structural framework.

Redevelopment/ renovation or repairs of visual character deviating from the given façade control order.

5.2 Discussion This thesis limits the façade control order to Manekchowk street, Walled city. The order will aid the visual architectural language to govern the continuity of the existing fabric. A similar documentation and analysis can be done at a larger scale.

Study at a street/ cluster or neighbourhood level for the entire walled city will result into formulation of extensive façade control order. This can function as an extension of the existing GDCR and provide qualitative guidelines to retain the existing architectural language in case of new developments.

6. References Yarrow, T. (2018). Retaining character: heritage conservation and the logic of continuity.

Social Anthropology/Anthropologie Sociale. European Association of Social Anthropologists.

Government of Gujarat. (2016). General Development Control Regulations. Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act-1976.

Government of Rajasthan. (2020). Jaipur (Walled City) Heritage Conservation and Protection Regulations.

Sharma, N. (1992). Role of Rituals in the Transformation of a city and its Urban Components, A study of Ahmedabad, Maidan-i-Shahi and Manekchowk. Master Thesis.

ICOMOS. (2016). Historic City of Ahmedabad. International Council of Monuments and Sites.

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