SMRITI VAN EARTHQUAKE MEMORIAL BHUJ

SMRITIVAN

Earthquake Memorial, Bhuj

Architect

Rajeev Kathpalia VASTU SHILPA CONSULTANTS

GUJARAT EARTHQUAKE In the early hours of January 26,2001, an earthquake that lasted for but a few seconds in the state of Gujarat wiped out 13,805 lives and with that destroyed property and infrastructure worth billions.

This earthquake was only the most recent of several disasters, among cyclones and droughts, that this region is prone to. A culture of resilience has now been imbibed in the land that traces its roots to the Harappan Civilization anchored in the Dholavira Excavations from 4500 years ago.

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Left : Bhujiyo Dungar (hill) and the fort wall remains in the background; Bottom : Location of Kutch region in the Indian subcontinent; Right : Satellite image of Bhuj, highlighting the Bhujiyo Dungar and site boundary

KUTCH (Tortoise ) The region derives its name from the shape and morphology of the land claiming that a geological fold brought the ‘tortoise’ out of the sea! The central ridge that runs from east to west, on which the town of Bhuj is situated forms the hump of the tortoise. This ridge created a gradient for the rivers to flow south and north into the sea.

For much of its geological history, Kutch was an island, but in the 12th century, it had its northern sea border cut off by tectonic shifts, leaving the section of water to dry out and turn into what is today a vast white desert - The Rann. Kutch is still virtually an island, as it is surrounded by the Arabian Sea in the west; the Gulf of Kutch in south and southeast and Rann of Kutch in north and northeast. Kutch’s ecology, economy, culture, rituals, social structure, festivals and struggle for survival all revolves around water, interlinked with water and interdependent on water.

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REGENERATION All over the world, cultures commemorate their loss in disasters, by

It symbolized rebirth, renewal and hope, the beginning of the

For the sustenance of the trees it is necessary to understand very

keeping relics, memorials and building museums for remembrance

journey of life once again. How better to commemorate loss of

carefully how natural systems work. How land, water, air, birds and

of what has past. Our short but precise brief by the then Chief

human life than through a symbolic act of regeneration? The

insects in conjunction are the agents of nature to make complex

minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi was to “Plant a tree for

planting of trees also suggested the making of a forest. A bio-di-

ecological and environmental systems. It is only necessary to

each victim”.Over time, we concluded and agreed that this very

verse self-sustaining ecosystem that would over time need very

initially assist nature and then after the first few years nature takes

limited brief with the idea of planting a tree was brilliant!

little maintenance. The forest of trees also symbolizes the diversity

over. This assistance is to identify local species, identify the paths

of people.

that water flows, the soil and nutrients that the water collects on

Thus, the other journey was to link these leaking reservoirs where

its journey and most importantly identify the places where the

the names of the victims would be enshrined, by paths that the

Forest Rebirth

For us this journey suggested two intertwined paths, one of the

water can be collected to leak into the earth. The monsoon and its

families of the victims who would come to this garden as pilgrims

pilgrims would traverse and eventually rest, the views they would

Plurality

collection and eventual discharge to feed the trees is one kind of

in remembrance of their loved ones and the other one – the path of

encounter, the horizon they would contemplate and eventually the

Adaptation

journey – a journey of nourishment, perpetuation and continuity, a

sustenance of the tree.

space in which reflection and contemplation may perhaps happen.

Interdependence

journey of hope and delight.

These two intertwined paths became the basis of our design.

Evolution Transformation

In all religions, pilgrimages are an essential part of the journey of

Celebration through Biodiversity

self-discovery. We have often heard the phrase, “life is a journey”!

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Ridge and Valley Mapping of Site 4

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Top Right : Conceptual Sketch of Reservoirs; Bottom : Masterplan 5

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SITE MAPPING

SMRITIVAN, BHUJ Master Plan

Catchment Analysis

Existing site mapping

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Division of Sectors

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1. Sun Point 2. Museum 3. Library 4. Regional Science Museum 5. Lake Front 6. Festival Ground 7. Solar Park 8. Smritivan Phase I 9. Smritivan Phase II 10. Eco Park 11. Parking 12. Conference and Art Facility

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LEGEND

1. Gate 2. Encroachments 3. Fort wall 4. Fire Station Proposed Important Nodes 1

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Sector A : 140 acres Sector B : 162 acres Sector C : 102 acres Fort Sector : 66 acres

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PHASE 1 MASTER PLAN

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Masterplan

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Pedestrian Pathways 6

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As the park matures it will become a place of not only pilgrimage

A timeless knowledge is applied at Smriti Van, something that

but also a place of leisure and recreation for the growing population

has always been done here: the water flowing is intercepted on

of Bhuj. Much like the Central Park in New York, a breathing lung

its way and stored. The reservoirs are of different dimensions

for the city and a place of reflection and repose for all citizens.

and forms in relation with the slope and the shape of the precise place where they are installed

The master plan envisages 81 reservoirs to collect the runoff of the Bhujiyo Dungar. The overflow of each reservoir goes to the next and eventually into a series of wetlands along the periphery of the site. It is expected that the wells outside our site will benefit from this recharge and their water levels increase. It is also expected that water that used to overflow from the site and flood the surrounding area in the monsoons will now be better contained especially considering that the city has grown all around the site Schematic Section through the site illustrating water and plantation strategy 8

and the land is getting occupied by buildings.

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RECHARGE RESERVOIRS

Section - Recharge Reservoir Type 4

The idea of democracy and plurality is reflected in the choice of building numerous small reservoirs instead of one or two large reservoirs. Because they are small, building them is relatively easy and cheap in an earthquake zone five. It also means that they can be built in phases, over time. Most importantly,the region represented by a reservoir within the neighboring villages, encourages a closer social bond amongst them, a sense of ownership for the bereaved families.

The reservoirs are made of gabions which are entirely without mortar and thus allow for the arresting of rain water of the water-

Ground Line

sheds but allow it to dissipate into the ground slowly, thus allowing the root system of the trees to draw upon it. Over time, the gaps in the stone are filled up by the alluvium that the water brings in and seeds trapped in it sprout plants. This not only consolidates the gabion structure but in time almost effaces the built to merge and become one with the landscape

Section - Recharge Reservoir Type 1

GATES VIEWING GALLERY VICTIMS’ NAMES GABIONS PERMANENT WATER SUMP WITH ACQUACULTURE OVERFLOW AND RECYCLE 6. OVERF WATER CHAMBER 7. OVERFLOW GARGOYLE 8. SILTATION CHAMBER 1.

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Conceptual Sketch of reservoir 10

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TYPE 1 TOTAL: 25 TYPE 1A: 13; AREA: 540.36 sq. m TYPE 1B: 12; AREA: 472.04 sq. m

SUN TEMPLE MODHERA AREA: 0.05 HA DIM: 18 X 30 mts

TYPE 2 AREA: 552.66 sq. m TOTAL: 20

TYPE 4 AREA: 646.69 sq. m TOTAL: 15

TYPE 3 AREA: 879.67 sq. m TOTAL: 12

TYPE 5 AREA: 902.08 sq. m TOTAL: 7

ADALAJ NI VAV AREA: 0.09 HA DIM: 75 X 45 mts

SARKHEJ ROZA AREA: 3.27 HA DIM: 173 X 200 mts

Right : Schematic Comparisions in scale in all different typologies of reservoirs in the memorial 12

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GROWTH The experience one has at Smriti Van may change over time.

Smritivan is neither a monolithic memorial nor a structured garden.

The project was intended to merely provide the initial guidance needed for both vegetation and the reservoirs. The rest is left to Nature. Nature, as you know, has its own process of uncontrollable and spontaneous growth. Where there is loss, there is regeneration.

Even in death, there is rebirth.

With time, the diverse vegetation will grow into an entire ecosystem which will merge with the built forms of the Recharge Reservoirs, thus eventually engulfing them into one cohesive maze of green and blue. The forest grows as a symbol of resilience; for that is an inherent quality of the people of Kutch who have been subject to the hardships of Nature through the ages.

With seasons, leaves will come and go, and fruits and flowers will blossom; each unique like the irreplaceable lives lost. Of them, only memories remain and these echo through the forest; a sanctuary Left : Plate carrying the names of all the victims of the earthquakes around the walls of the reservoirs as a gallery of remembrance 14

for all those who arrive here in search of remembrance or perhaps, to hear the silence and contemplate.

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Top : View of the Reservoir from outside; Right Bottom : View of the Reservoir from within 16

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Left : Gabion walls and water catchment within the reservoir; Next Page : View of the Bhujiyo Dungar and present day progress in Phase 1 with checkdams and plantation; 18

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SLITS BASED ON MOON SHIFT, PER DAY

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MKRA WA SA MESH 13th Apr MESHWA

SAMKRANT 13th Apr

EQUINOX 20th Mar- 23rd Sept

EQUINOX

20th Mar - 23rd Sept

REPU BLIC DA 26th Jan Y TER S O L 22n d D ISTICE ec

SUMMER SOLISTICE 21st Jun

MESHWA SANKRANT 13th Apr

EQUINOX 2Oth Mar- 23rd Sept

REPUBLIC DAY 26th Jan

REPUBLIC DAY 26th Jan

WINTER SOLISTICE 22nd Dec

EQUINOX 2Oth Mar- 23rd Sept

MESHWA SANKRANT 13th Apr

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SUMMER SOLISTICE 21st Jun

L UB an E REP 26th J TIC LIS SO c ER De NT 22nd I W

WINTER SOLISTICE 22nd Dec

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SUN POINT

Left : The form and cuts in the Sun Point wall creating playful interactions with sunlight; Right : Lunisolar calender illustrated on the walls of the Sun Point ; Next page : View From inside the Sun Point; 22

The sun point at the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial, perched over

The carvings and slits in the circular crown of the structure anchors

the hills silently looks down over the city from it’s crest just below

a joyful journey through the lunisolar calender with it’s festivals

the ancient fort wall leading to the famous Bhujang Dev Temple.

and special days of the year. The cuts in the solid body share a

From the sun point, one looks over the many recharge reservoirs

dialogue with the sun rays creating a symbolic play of light and

piercing into the fabric of the hill.

shadow pertaining to the significance of the day.

All the meandering paths between the reservoirs finally lead to the one that ascends the hill of the sun point.

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Previous Page : View from fort wall looking over Sun Point and the city below; Top : Conceptual Sketch of Sun Point; Next Page : Sun Point at dusk; 28

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MUSEUM Floor Plan

MUSEUM The museum anchors its journey within the city of Bhuj, showcasing its unique heritage, culture and crafts and further connects

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LEGEND

to Kutch’s many villages and wild life sanctuaries.The proposed

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1. Museum Entry 2. Admin 3. Auditorium 4. Museum Shop 5. Children’s Play Area 6. Cafe 7. Library 8. Classroom 9.Storage 10. Central Spine 11. Exhibition Gallery 12. Courtyard 13.Cafe 14.Geodome

museum traces the roots of Kutch’s many crafts and skills and is thematically distributed in the many galleries that house it. These galleries are spread along a central spine rising almost 50 meters from the base of the hill where the museum is located. This central spine is like a verandah and allows public events to happen even when the museum is closed. The architectural complex and Plazas lay along the terrain of the Bhujia Hills and give the user the experience of a snaking path to the top. Here terraces and volumes are linked by these open plazas.

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Within the 470 acre site there is also a Conference and Art center

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that is proposed to showcase the industry and crafts of Kutch.

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LIFT

There is also a Library and Documentation center proposed to

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document stories and myths of Kutch, folk music and the musical instruments of the region. A public plaza for the Nagpanchami

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festival is also part of the master plan.

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Left : Conceptual Sketch of Museum; Right : Ground floor plan of Museum showing the galleries and multilevel plazas 32

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BASIC MODULE OF MUSEUM GALLERIES

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1. Combination of Portal Frame, Beams and Slab

5. Terrace Garden

2. The Land

6. Aggregation of Two Modules

3. Retaining Wall

4. Parapet + Skylights

7. Aggregation of Three Modules

8. Short Connection Between Galleries

9. Canopy over the active central spine

Right : Model of the Museum 34

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Project Name:

Smriti Van Earthquake Memorial

Project Inception:

2004-ongoing

Project Realization:

Phase 1 Completed in December 2017

Client:

Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA)

Architect:

Rajeev Kathpalia

Design Team:

Piyas Choudhuri, Divya Gunnam, Vikas Mittal, Rajesh Suthar, Micky Solanki, Purshottam Bakrania, Natubhai Panchal, Kiritbhai Panchasara, Kirit Bhavsar, Anand Sonecha, Anish Pillai, Suketu Shah, Mohinder Singhal, Ranish Trivedi

Top : Stories of Smritivan told through a Miniature painting.

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Structural Consultant:

Vinod Shah Consulting Engineering Pvt. Ltd

Mechanical Engineer:

Jhaveri Associates

Roads and Pathways Consultant:

Arhmm Infra Consultants LLP

Landscape architect:

Earthscape Consultancy Pvt. Ltd

Total Built-up Area:

20,000 sq.mt

Cost:

390 Crores INR

Photo Credits:

Vinay Panjwani

Drawings and illustrations:

Vastu Shilpa Studio, Sketches by Rajeev Kathpalia 37

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