Ekaya Banaras - Cultural & Commercial Center

EKAYA BANARAS

CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P.

The thesis on the project “Ekaya Banaras – Cultural & Commercial Center, Varanasi” is undertaken to establish the need to setup cultural and commercial center in Varanasi due to maximum number of citizens involved in manufacturing, trade and commerce. Establishing a local center for trade and exhibition of local products would make all kinds of locally made specialties readily available to the buyers. The spatial programs have been sub divided into a museum, auditorium, retail shops, offices, skill development center, exhibition area to house the local demands and amenities focused at providing integrated platform for promotion of handloom, handicrafts and carpet sector of Varanasi.

EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. URBAN STUDY FOR TRANS-VARUNA REGION, BADALALPUR, VARANASI.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. MOBILITY:

SITE CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES:

EXISTING SCENERIO: Recreational As observed, the existing height in the area does not exceed 30m on the North and North - western sides of the site and 12m on the South and South - western sides This variation is due to the new development taking place i.e. high rise residential apartments.

Varanasi is well connected by railways with broad gauge. • Type : Institutional, Commercial & There are three rail lines entering to the city from Lucknow, (Mixed-use) Bhadoi and Allahabad and is diverted in two lines to • F.A.R. : 2.0 Gorakhpur and Mughal Sarai.

• Frontage : 50M • Setbacks: Front : 15M; Back & Rear-9M • Parking : for 100 SQ.M 2 - E.C.U • Tentative Built-Up Area : 40, 000 SQ.M • Connecting Roads : Hockey Stadium Road – 24M wide • Location : Bada Lalpur, Chandmari, Varanasi, U.P.

The city lies on Delhi-Kolkata rail route of North Eastern Railways, which is the broad gauge. A rail line connects the town with Sarnath, located 13 Km north-east of the city.

Sarnath is from where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. The other cities having good connectivity through railways are Patna, Guwahati, Chennai, Mumbai, Gwalior, Meerut, Lucknow, Kanpur and Allahabad.

INTRA CITY MOVEMENT:

The site is situated in the middle of the varying heights. Hence, the proposed project should follow the existing gradual skyline i.e. height should not go above 30m. The proposed Cultural & Commercial Center should be designed having a similar character so that it blends well with it surroundings.

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• The movement within the city is a mix of Taxis Autos, cycle rickshaws, private vehicles, and walk (by foot is the only way to see the waterfront and the Ghats) and 25% of the citizens • use personal vehicle to communte around the city.

Also, the building demands to be designed as a landmark.

Hence, the height of the building has been increased as compared to the ones on the South.

This makes it prominently visible from the main arterial road The site is well connected to all prominent regions i.e. the Urban Extension Road through roadways and public transport network but lacks comfortable pedestrian networks.

This Trans-Varuna region of Varanasi is needs to be developed at a good pace as people living in the Heritage Zone of Varanasi are now shifting towards this area.

Site is flanked by residential area/built-up areas of Bada Lalpur and direct connected highway leading towards Lal Bahadur Shahstri Airport.

No Retail outlets and public gathering plazas in the nearby area not available.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. SITE PLAN : Diameter of 800 meters from the site is URBAN GRAIN : Built open ratio of an area and the URBAN GREEN : The green pockets in an area taken into consideration for research. nature and extent to which it is subdivided. whether natural or introduced.

Important neighbouring landmarks such as hospitals, parks, stadium, etc has been demarketed.

Built Area : 53.5 percent Open Area : 46.5 percent

Green Area: 38 percent

• Site is located exactly opposite to the National Hockey • The ratio of built spaces to open spaces prevailing in the • The percentage of green spaces prevailing in the 0.6 Stadium.

0.6 km radius area of the proposed site is approximately km radius area of the proposed site is approximately 38 • In the vicinity of the site there are no 5-star hotels to 1.15 : 1. percent. accommodate tourists and visitors. Thus, a Hotel is • Following the existing ratio, the Cultural & Commercial • Following the existing percentage, the cultural & proposed in the premises of the site. center should also maintain a similar ratio in the proposed commercial center development should also have similar • There are enough medical services in the vicinity of the land pocket. percentage of designed and accessible green spaces site for first aid or emergency medic services requirement. for plantation and public use.

• Residential area: Majority on all the four sides of the site.

• Varanasi Ring Road which directly connects the site to the Lal Bhadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi on a 20 minutes’ drive direct connecting road.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. INFERENCES & DESIGN STRATEGIES

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P.

Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar

JECC, Jaipur

Delhi Haat INA, New Delhi Page 09

EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. AREA ANALYSIS

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. MEETINGS

INCENTIVES

CONFERENCES

EVENTS

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MAJOR DESTINATION

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WELL CONNECTED & ACCESSIBLE

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TRADE FAIRS 16 11

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LEGEND: 1. ENTRY 2. PARKING (250 ECU) 3. HOTEL ENTRY 4.HOTEL

5. AUDITORIUM 6. MICE CENTER 7. EXHIBITION HALLS 8. OPEN AIR THEATRE

09. EKAYA PLAZA 10. MUSEUM 11. PLAZA ENTRY 12. RETAIL ENTRY

13. PARKING (200 ECU) 14. EVENT GROUND 15. SEVICE ENTRY 16.EXIT

BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P.

Conceptual massing generating by evaluation of build Atriums are being articulated so as to create more forms. recreational public spaces and to intoduce daylight.

The building has been designed incorporating climate-responsive and sustainable design practices, embodying low energy costs, and use of high-performance materials to achieve IGBC Gold Performance. Varanasi features a semiarid climate with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation coupled with low rainfall. In response to these climatic conditions, appropriate form and orientation of the building were considered in the design in addition to shading methods adopted on the building façade.

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Bridges connecting the building parts and thus, courtyards and terraces are provided to enable the view of the premises.

Accommodating: Auditorium, Convention center, Seminar halls, Administration offices, Souvenir shops, Exhibhition hall - 01, Gallery for Exhibit

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Accomodating: Conference Halls, Restaurant, Cafeteria, Exhibition hall -02 Auditorium reception, Admin offices, Control Rooms.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. MICE CENTER

Facilities such as Convention hall, Exhibition area, Shops, Marts, Food Court, Restaurants, Offices, Multipurpose Halls can be used for conferences, exhibitions, meetings, symposiums and several other events.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. MICE CENTER

Conference halls or Auditoriums are mainly allocated in the exhibition spaces to hold conferences and/ or seminar during the exhibition period. Proper attention must be provided in designing entry and exit routes.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P.

The slope of site is very gradual such that it can be utilized in the built form, reducing the cut and fill system.

Maintaining the climatic conditions as the wind flows in West to East direction. Using Jali as a diffused daylight source inside the building from harsh south light.

Extracted from using the motifs of Varnasi Vernacular architecture vocabulory.

MICE CENTER - For conferences and meeting pourposes.

FOYER - Jaali pattern inspired from the local art of Varanasi.

Ekaya Plaza - Inspired from the Ghats of Varanasi to mould the plaza in varnacular.

Hotel - A 5-Star proposed hotel in the premises of the site to accomodate the tourists

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P.

As site doesn’t offer any outside view, adapting introvert design to have it’s own view.

Creating Public spaces within the premises for fuctional activities and aesthetics.

Conceptual Zoning: To have a better view terraves have been projected out at different levels.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. HOTEL:

Hotel block facilitating 51 Deluxe Rooms with 10 VIP Suites and accmodating Gymnassium, Spa, Banquet Hall and Swimming pool.

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

FRONT ELEVATION

TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN (1&2 FLOOR)

THIRD FLOOR PLAN

SIDE ELEVATION Page 19

EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. As a design solution to this, a plaza has been proposed inside the premise of the Cultural & Commercial Center integrating the Museum & Retail outlets.

It is a major solution so as create a public space in the New Peripherial area as the migrating population from the old city to the outskirts need space for recreational and retail pourpose. Also, it’s Ghat alike architecture vocabulary will fasciate the tourists and visitors visiting - ”Ekaya Banaras - Cultural & Commercial Center”.

EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. ARCHITECTURAL VOCABULORY The plaza intends to bring back to life the traditional historical elements through means of modern interpretation, repetition, and symmetry, having played an essential part in the designing and conceptualizing of the structure. A distinctive jaali screen made in Aluminum and brick that wraps the building adapts motifs from traditional Varanasi architecture.

Study of the vernacular in an effort to find ways to treat the riverfront: Ghats were the natural answer since they lend themselves to stabilizing the river-edge while providing an interface for human engagement with the river. Design of the ghats combined the use of several typologies of platform to account for diverse functions smaller ones for daily rituals, and large performance stages for events.

The mixed use precinct will cater to 1500 - 2000 tourits per day as well as visitors coming for recreational and community activities.

Inspired by the cultural activities happening at Ghats of Varanasi and a separate commercial retail shops for the tourists and visitors.

Conceptual section: Interpreting the activites happening on the Ghats of Varanasi throughout the day.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN A A symphony symphony in in concrete, concrete, water and the subtle play of reflected reflected light, light, its its design design was inspired by the region’s rich architectural unique location at architectural traditions traditionsand andthe themuseum’s museum’s unique location the point where the religious land of Varanasi and the waters at the point where the religious land of Varanasi and the of the Ganga meets. meets. waters of the Ganga

Retractable roofs allow you to make the best possible use of your outdoor areas in any kind of weather. Provides Great Shade as in Varanasi, we experience a lot of sunshine and the temperature can get quite high at times.

The perforated brick façade, it increases the strength of the air flow and cools it down marginally. Additionally, since the panels cover the buildings on all sides, it sheaths it from direct sunlight, thereby reducing the walls from heat gain.

RETAIL OUTLET (TYPE - I) : Open to sky shops for coustomes in the premises of the plaza with foldable textile roof for diffused daylight feature and for cooling.

RETAIL OUTLET (TYPE - II) : Solar Panel equipped shops with Jalli as a facade treatment for daylight and passive cooling technique.

Museum : Engraved Motifs inspired from the art and craft of Varanasi used in a manner to integrate diffused daylight.

The natural heritage is degrading by the day, the built heritage left to dilapidation and destruction. The ingenious skills and arts are dying. This highlights the need for strategies and proposals that will help in sustaining the heritage.

The proposals for sustaining heritage of the city will also include those for overcoming the mobility issues, as it is one of the major concerns associated with heritage properties and the city as a whole too.

Sustainable tourism development is as important as heritage conservation and is mutually complementary in the case of a heritage city like Varanasi, as tourism here, is closely interrelated with the heritage and historical aspects.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. OPEN AIR THEATRE & RETAIL OUTLET

Retail space for temporary or weekly vendors.

Permenent retail shops with climatic functionality for Local Shop Owners.

Presenting a different way of updated development, promoting the revival of the old city with the organic update. In order Performance area is arranged near the mice block, so some to coordinate with the historical and cultural district of Varanasi, the architectural design is freely relaxed, integrating the supporting functions, such as small opera history exhibition traditional “sloping roof” and “courtyard” and other abstract elements, meeting the functional requirements. hall, a public lounge, actor dressing room, commercial retail, etc. were able to be set in the conservation block.

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EKAYA BANARAS CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CENTER, VARANASI, U.P. Along the exterior walkways, Visitors can take a break, think about and discuss the artworks, as well as enjoy the ever-changing relationship between sun, sea, art and architecture.

The museum creates a comfortable microclimate. The passive cooling, inspired by designs in local culture and traditional regional architecture. Ekaya Banaras also employs passive water and energy conservation and highly efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as lighting and sanitary fittings.

The patterned roof permits daylight without too much heating or wind, and features such as the stone floor and wall cladding keep the building cooler for longer as the day heats up.

MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTION

ANNUAL TRADE FAIR

HOLY TEMPLES SPREAD ACROSS

VIEW OF MOUNTAINS & VALLEYS

As the sun passes above, its light filters through the perforations in the dome to create an enchanting effect within the museum, known as the ‘rain of light’.

This tribute to nature is inspired by the motifs of Varanasi. The perforation filter and soften the bright sunlight from above to project a dappled pattern on the ground.

Performance area is arranged near the mice block, so some supporting functions, such as small opera history exhibition hall, a public lounge, actor dressing room, commercial retail, etc. were able to be set in the conservation block. Which made it present a different way of updated development, promoting the revival of the old city with the organic update. In order to coordinate with the historical and cultural district of Varanasi, the architectural design is freely relaxed, integrating the traditional “sloping roof” and “courtyard” and other abstract elements, meeting the functional requirements.

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SHRIYANSHJAIN AAYOJAN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, JAIPUR Batch 18 (2016-2021) +91-8829070743 shriyanshjain@live.com