Revisiting the Past, to Recreate the Present
“As an architect, you design for the present, with the awareness of the past, for the future which is essentially unknown.”
-Norman Foster
When we try to understand any aspect of a topic, what we really need is to analyze its origin, where it has come from. The same is the case with architecture. Architecture, like any other subject, has evolved through time, widely been affected by geographical, sociological and cultural context. The built and unbuilt environment around us reflects our past in some way or the other, making us wonder about the possibilities of our architectural originality. It opens up a window for further research where we study the process of how we got in, around the final product, that is a building. This makes us study the history of architecture more prominent since it tries to answer all the questions of our heritage, influences that led to seeing the structure before us with wider perspective. History, in a way, connects us to our present and future, through which we could always learn the simple and complex methods to imply in designing a particular building. A building’s past reflects not just its emergence, but also its cultural importance, societal influence, the identity it showcases of a particular region and its survival all throughout the climatic changes. These historical buildings guide us to acknowledge the survival of architecture in the near future as well.
As we seek to make our buildings more resilient, the relationship between climate and architecture has always made an impactful role to add elements to withstand severe climatic conditions. There is a wider relationship between three factors namely; people, climate and architecture, which are inter-related to each other, thus influencing their gradual development. Humans, when interacting together, require space which is comfortable in all aspects. Even though the social, cultural and economic factors shape the living conditions, it is the climate that molds the rhythm of architecture. The use of construction materials and their implications are decided upon the availability, beliefs, and traditions of the region but are manifested as per the geographical conditions. The sun’s orientation, wind movements, rainfall, and other climatic factors alter the design of the building in order to make it thermally comfortable.
India, a country with a varying sub-tropical climate in different regions, its architecture has been able to survive, hence, showcasing the amalgamation of the elements of tradition and culture. Being a culturally rich country, India has had influences from different countries of the world as well. The influences have come in the form of invasions, trade, and commerce, where each country and its rulers brought their culture and traditions. These traditions could be easily identified through the buildings they constructed and elements they added to the existing architectural structures. For example, we have influences of Persian architecture from medieval times, the development of Mughal architecture between the 16th to 18th centuries, and the fusion of them with the existing architecture. One of the greatest landmarks in the history of the architecture of India is the entry of Europeans in the Indian subcontinent in 1858. Until India’s independence in 1947, the country’s architecture was widely influenced by British culture. Also, the native citizens and rulers of the country adapted such elements and constructed buildings which reflected a striking mix of traditional Indian and European architecture. One of the most interesting factors of such structures is that they are climate resilient as well. Such heritage buildings also could be easily declared as sustainable since they are still in good condition and have managed to survive irrespective of climatic changes since the ancient era. Many cities in India portray such examples and exhibit a sense of a combination of different elements in one structural frame.
One such city is Gwalior, which comes under extreme climatic zones, has extensive examples of ancient climate-resilient buildings. Gwalior, a beautiful city, rich in culture and heritage, located in northern Madhya Pradesh, has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers from late March to early July, the humid monsoon season from late June to early October, and a cool dry winter from early November to late February. Being such a climatically extreme city, Gwalior has managed to withstand the conditions as per the requirements of the citizens. The city has a huge history of invasions by rulers of different parts of the country, namely, Mughals, Rajputs, and Europeans after their rule in India. The city is an eclectic mix of tangible and intangible heritage which could be easily identified while traveling across the city. Gwalior experiences harsh sunlight most of the time of the year and the heritage buildings in this city have been built with techniques that are not only aesthetically beautiful but also have a scientific approach toward sustainability and energy efficiency, hence sustaining climatic impact since ancient times.
The Tomb of Muhammad Ghaus, built-in 16th century AD, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, is one of the most beautiful examples of the traditional architecture of Gwalior which exhibits an efficient climate-responsive building design. The Shaikh Muhamad Ghaus was the Sufi master of Miyaan Tansen, and the tomb is built in his memory.
The building being square in the plan is topped with a large central squat dome with four small “chattris” and hexagonal domed kiosks at its corners. The central dome tops the large walled single room housing the tomb of Muhammad Ghaus with the surrounding structure of verandah walled by perforated stone screens called, ‘Jaalis’ giving it more volume and a larger “enclosed” appearance. This forms the building’s façade which provides thermal comfort along with adequate lighting and cool air. These ‘jaalis’ increase the velocity of air through their narrow openings, causing them to cool down which is preferable in the hot and humid region of Gwalior. Other than helping in ventilation, ‘Jaalis’ avoid the direct heat gain from sun rays while keeping the interiors luminous. The meticulous layout of openings, i.e., placing the bigger openings before smaller openings also increase wind velocity, hence maintains the indoor temperature. The thickness of the walls, sharp carvings of “Jaalis” and perforated stones along with the large volume of the dome and corridors effectively reduces the noise inside the main tomb of Muhammad Ghaus and the surrounding verandah. Thus, as one enters the main tomb, he suddenly feels the serene and peaceful aura of the space-enhancing the meditative experience. The verandah enclosed entirely of ‘jaalis’ with reduced noise acts as a peaceful escape for the pilgrims to sit and marvel upon the marvelous carvings of the ‘jaalis’ and beautiful patterns created by them as the sunlight passes through it.
The corridors are arranged in a symmetrical pattern around the central part of the tomb which works as a buffer zone and also as a thermal insulating space. The volume of the building and the verandah surrounding the interior chamber lowers the temperature of the building and the shades provided are 8 feet long, preventing the building with direct sun radiation. Being made of sandstone and 1 meter thick, the walls provide good thermal insulation from the climate. Lime mortar used as a binding material, in walls, roofs, and ceilings again aids in maintaining the thermal comfort of the building.
A regular local visitor of the Tomb, Mr. Mahesh Prajapati says,
“I’ve been coming here for the past 9 years almost every day for the evening walk and to feed the pigeons in the gardens. I like to sit inside the verandah during the sunset and watch playful patterns created by the sunlight through the ‘jaalis’. The cool fresh air flowing peacefully rejuvenates me and calms my spirits. The evening stroll in the lush green gardens with children playing and running around, pilgrims offering their prayers and the sunset in the sky is one thing I look forward to my whole day. I usually see a group of young students clicking photos and marveling at the beautiful ‘jaalis’, trying to comprehend the architectural style and knowledge of the past with respect and admiration. This gives me hope for the survival of past knowledge of art and building techniques through future generations.”
The insides of tomb offer sanctuary to the people from the scorching heat outside through the techniques discussed above. The open corridors and surrounding verandahs allow an interactive space for the pilgrims to sit and offer their prayers. The approaching steps along with the front open courtyard offer a gathering space for regional singers and priests to interact with visitors.
The most amazing and exciting thing about the building was how well it merges with its surroundings and provides comfort at different times of the day without any additional need for active systems. The “jaalis”, open courtyard, symmetrical corridors and sloping eaves projecting from the exterior, all being the structural and architectural elements of vernacular architecture of India making the tomb not only aesthetically pleasing but also energy-efficient, sustainable and most of all, climate-resilient.
With the advent of modernity in India for the last 10–20 years, Gwalior has seen major advancement in its architectural form as well. ITM School of Business, being such example highlights the principles of modern architectural philosophy while embracing the traditional aspects of the Gwalior city at the same time. The campus of ITM School of Business designed by New-Delhi based firm, M: OFA Studios in 2012 merges as a contemporary aesthetic design located on National Highway №75, complimenting the majestic Aravalli ranges on the outskirts of the city, with grace and humility.
“To make the building efficient and adaptive as per the Gwalior’s climate, we aimed to introduce the semi-shaded open spaces for student interactions. By taking the elements from the traditional architecture of Gwalior’s monuments, we tried to do justice with the campus in making it environmentally sustainable.”
Says the principal architect of the building, Manish Gulati, an admirer of green architecture and the founder of the firm, he focused on developing an indigenous design to the ITM campus by imparting green character by taking care of geographical conditions of the site. The building’s front seems like a solid block with a lightweight industrial roof hovering over it supported by thin surrealistic legs, hence creating a mystery of what lies inside. The roof gives the idea of the most rudimentary way of protection from the harsh sun, hence creating a shadow with a massive footprint. The technique used in the roof, that is the implication of open parasol roof over a hollowed-out space allows the hot air to escape hence creating convection currents which allows the natural winds to flow inside and is then cooled by the surrounding green landscape. This reduces the carbon footprint created by large air-conditioned institutions otherwise, thus providing a sense of relief to the users and makes the ITM School of Business, a green building. The main entrance is wide enough to showcase the expansiveness of the campus by the addition of double-height dholpur clad walls and introducing an interesting element: screen.
Inspired by the traditional “Jaali” work of Gwalior, the building uses this element as a modern screen on the southwestern side, which cuts down the harsh sun glare, protecting the building. It gives just not only an aesthetic treat to the user which casts interesting shadows that play with light, but also cuts down the harsh sunlight and provides good ventilation as well. The ground level is built on the principles of the traditional Indian Courtyard, found across all parts of the country, provides students with a large open space in the center, accentuating a feeling of openness and freedom. The curved ramp built throughout the middle of the courtyard, provides a sense of free-flowing circulation, bringing out the fluidity inside the campus which is one of the designing principles of the firm, M: OFA. The ground level creates an interactive space for students which remains conveniently cool throughout the time of the college session.
“I’ve taught corporate law in this campus for four years, and have never felt uncomfortable or drenched even during the hot summers of this city. Such is the fresh design of this building that made me stay and teach my subjects in a more effective manner. My students and colleagues too enjoyed spending time over here and paid enough respect to maintain the dignity of the campus. The design of the campus, in a way, makes the users more adaptable to the surroundings, hence making them work more efficiently. This is something that I miss the most here.”
Says the Professor, Dr. Praveen Srivastava, a faculty of ITM-School of Business, who currently teaches the same subject, but on another campus. The department of management has been shifted to another campus since 2017 because it was added as an affiliated course at the ITM University. When asked about any negative aspect of the building, he explains, “The building is not very well accustomed as per the number of students in the department. Though it has massive impactful space in the courtyard and in the entrance, the classrooms are quite smaller as per the ratio of the space occupied by the students to their number. It felt a little weird teaching a class full of 60–70 students, sitting all congested, while you’ve traveled through the wide entrance and corridors. Though, it did not alter my teaching in any way”, exclaimed the professor. Surveying around the campus, we found that to be true that classrooms could have been larger in size, by taking care of the number of students. Currently, the building is not being used since the shift of the department but will be given to the nursing department in august 2019. The building is overall built climate-resilient as per the harsh climatic conditions of Gwalior, which in a way is successful in accomplishing its aim: to make the space thermally comfortable.
With our thorough research of the two buildings, one traditional and another, modern, we tried to bring out the concepts implied in both structures, in sustaining the harsh climate of Gwalior. Both buildings have extensively used the elements, which in most the ways protect the building and make the surroundings thermally comfortable. The major feature which we analyzed in the ITM School of Business is the use of elements adapted from the ancient architectural styles, “jaali” and ‘open courtyards’ being the apt examples. The tomb of Muhammad Ghaus has made the meticulous use of the natural, locally available materials in a sustainable manner, which not only makes it aesthetically pleasing but also inspires contemporary architects to design buildings by using the simple phenomenon of air behavior and energy-efficient techniques. Hence, the features of the tomb, or any heritage building can be easily studied and adopted by the present architects in their projects to make the modern era architecture more sustainable and climate-resilient without compromising the need and thermal comfort of the users.
-Written by Shivangi Shankar and Meenal Singhal for Berkeley Essay Prize Competition-2019 (Shortlisted)
