CHANDIGARH

CAPITOL COMPLEX
A GEOMETRICAL ANALYSIS

MASTER PLANNING AND SITING OF

CAPITOL
ALBET MAYOR
Superimposed planning in accordance to
existing contours of the site

LE CORBUSIER
Strictly followed grid pattern
UPPER EDGE OF THE CITY

PERMIT

VIEWS

OF

THE

CITY

FROM

WHATEVER PERSPECTIVE
SPLENDID BACK DROP OF THE RIDGES
SYMBOLIC HEAD OF THE CITY

SITING OF THE CAPITOL ON

URBAN SCALE
Present Status

THE MONUMENTAL APPROACH TO

CAPITOL:
JAN MARG

The capitol complex as the focal point

of the city , both visually and
symbolically.
The ceremonial approach to capitol
complex was projected as a wide tree
lined boulevard , bounded on one side
by parkland and on the other side by
multi storey buildings.
SHIVALIK HILLS

The capitol was planned as :

The Head of the city
Detached
Contrast to the traditional
india

cities

important
Le corbusiers sketch for chandigarh
square containing the cross axis

where

the

government

functions were located in

the centre of the city

The features that le corbusier emphasized in the urban structure of

chandigarh :
The structural network as a unity
Tying together
Developing and becoming denser
These features are COMPLETELY REJECTED
IN CAPITOL
On
the
contrary
,
the
enormous distance between
the
buildings
is
quite
astonishing
element.
PIAZZA

PROPOSED
MUSEUM OF
KNOWLEDGE

Governors palace

Assembly

High cou

City centre

The plaza was to give expression to the expanse of space.

Plaza conceived as crossing of two axes :
High court - Assembly
Governors palace - City centre
The axis from the city centre towards the governors palace is an excavated
trench, to conceal it and maintain the continuity of piazza and landscape.

In Le Corbusier's original CONCEPT , the Capitol was to consist of the edifices

consisting of
I)

Secretariat

ii)

Assembly

iii) High Court

iv) Governor's Palace.
Besides these main buildings there were also to be a number of monuments
based on Corbusier's personal philosophy -- to adorn the piazzas and the
open spaces between the edifices.
I) The open hand
Ii) Martyrs memorial
Iii) Geometric hill
iv) Tower of shadows
However, the proposed Governor's Palace was later changed to a more
democratic institution called the Museum of Knowledge. Although all other
structures of the Capitol have been built , sadly the pivotal structure of the
Museum of Knowledge has still not been built, leaving Le Corbusier's great
masterpiece somewhat like a unfinished symphony.

SELECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF DESIGN

PROPOSAL
ELEMENTS ESSENTIAL OF THE PLAN
ELEMENTS NOT CONSTRUCTED
ELEMENTS NOT DESIGNED BUT
CONSTRUCTED

PALACE GARDEN

GOVERNERS PALACE

EXTENSION

OPEN HAND

HIGH COURT
ASSEMBLY
MARTYRS MEMORIAL

RAJENDRA PARK
SECRITARIAT

TOWER OF SHADOWS
GEOMETRIC HILL

ELEMENTS NOT CONSTRUCTED

GOVERNORS PALACE AND GARDEN
PATHS DIRECTING TO THE BUILT SPACES
CANAL IN FRONT OF THE COMPLEX
OBELISKS AND THE CORNERS OF THE SITE

ELEMENTS NOT CONSTRUCTED

GOVERNORS PALACE AND GARDEN
PATHS DIRECTING TO THE BUILT SPACES
CANAL IN FRONT OF THE COMPLEX
OBELISKS AT THE CORNERS OF THE SITE

ELEMENTS DESIGNED BY LE CORBUSIER BUT NOT CONSTRUCTED

The absence of the governor's palace, deprives the composition of the
focus of the cross axis.
The palace, by it's placement to the left of the initial approach to the to
the complex, was intended to create focal point deflecting the line of
vision moving past it to the horizontal, standing as a sculptural object
against the mountains.
The incomplete composition makes the distances appear larger.
The pathways perhaps may help in unifying the site.
The canal was to fuction as an isolating of the capitol.
The obelisk were to introduce the distance element of the scale, besides
unifying the composition,
Elements modified Alterations in the shape of mounds and configuration
of relief has altered the spatial enclosure, as it was desired.
ELEMENTS NOT DESIGNED BY LE CORBUSIER BUT CONSTRUCTED
It is essential for the extensions / interventions to respond to the basics
of the le corbusier's composition for order.
Rajendra Park to some extent is a continuation of the links from the
capitol. Not designed by le corbusier as a part of the capitol, No
references available on the concept and composition.

MODULAR MAN V/S CAPITOL COMPLEX

Vital geometry for monumemantal landscape
Thus desired for the city
Weave the fabric of built and inbuilt together in the complex.
Positioning of the buildings superimposing the modular man.
Upper hand-secretariat
Head-assembly
Waist-tower of shadows
Knee-high court
MODULAR AND ITS IMPLICATION
Golden section
1:1.61
Arithmetical figure derived from nature Implied to design of new
innovations to get the desired spaces and volumes fundamental in
nature

GEOMETRICAL ANALYSIS

Corbusier took a square of

800 x 800 meters

Then divided the square in equal

halves.

Then drew a diagonal line in one o

the achieved rectangle by division
of the sides, and then extended th
diagonal line outside the rectangle

a
a+b

1
1.61

GOLDEN RATIO RULE

Then applied his Golden Ratio Rul
in the square to achieve the line on
which the Assembly Hall was place

With the line achieved by the Golde

Ratio he drew a square of the same
dimensions i.e. 400x400 m taking t
line one of the sides of the square.

Then an arc was drawn from the

square ,the point where the arc
intersected the rectangle, was the
point where the axial line of the Hi
Court was derived.

GOVERNORS
PALACE

OPEN
HAND

ASSEMBLY
HALL

SECRETARIA
T

HIGH
COURT

GEOMETRIC
HILL

GOVERNORS
PALACE
OPEN
HAND
ASSEMBLY
HALL

HIGH
COURT

SECRETARIA
T
GEOMETRIC
HILL

SECURED AND
PUBLIC ZONES

Security
checkpoints
Guarded Area
Restricted Area
Public Area

THE SEGREGATION OF CIRCULATION:

The vehicular circulation was supposed to be depressed and the
pedestrian circulation at the higher plaza level.
This system was not fully executed as envisaged.
The pedestrian link to the plaza was not realized.
Later on the access to the capitol buildings became more vehicular
ignoring the pedestrian.
Presently no segregation of pedestrian and vehicular circulation.
Integration of the site with pedestrian - Parking areas next to
pedestrian access.
The Assembly Hall is separated from the piazza by a gate and wire
fence.

VEHICULAR MOVEMENT (present)

OFFICIAL MOVEMENT
PUBLIC MOVEMENT

PEDESTRIAN
MOVEMENT

AS PLANNED
MOVEMENT

PEDESTRIAN
MOVEMENT

ACTUAL MOVEMENT

PRESENT DAY REQUIREMENTS

The focal point of the capitol, the governor's palace essential for
complete spatial experience of the capitol.
The governor's palace/museum of knowledge building may not be
feasible in the present context but a footprint of the building and the
adjoining garden may serve the notion.
Pathways essential to integrate the site.
The intended configuration of the relief and mounds may be possible
but the levels envisaged by le corbusier are not feasible.
Perhaps some extensions can be restructured to be responsive to le
corbusier's composition. Since Rajendra Park not designed, as an
integral part of the capitol may not be restored, is not in the scope of
the project. Perhaps it may be left as an expanse of
conforming to Le Corbusier's idea of the setting of the Capitol.

space,

INFORMAL

ENTRY

AND EXIT.

NO

DEFINED

SUFFICIENT

PARKING

RESULTING IN PARKING
ON

THE

LANDSCAPE

PHYSICAL AND VISUAL BARRIERS AS

BARBED WIRE FENCING SPLITTING THE OPEN

SPACE

AND

HINDERING

PEDESTRIAN

CIRCULATION.
THE IDEA OF UTILIZING THE SPACE AS CIVIC
PUBLIC SPACE IS HINDERED, LEAVING IT

SOFT

GOVERNORS PALACE / MUSEUM OF

KNOWLEDGE

According to Le Corbusier Governors Palace was the CROWN OF THE

CAPITOL.
Palace was for the governor so the largest dimension of the modular were
taken, so the scale grew double, resulting in the palace for a GIANT.
The main reason it has still not been built was that it hindered the very
concept of democracy and secularism.

 In the original plan of the city the Capital Complex had included a mansion for the
Governor at a site located between the Legislature and the High Court.
Subsequently, it was decided that in the context of a socialistic pattern of
society, one need not go in for a palatial building for the Governor.
In its place it was suggested that a Museum of Knowledge and Laboratory for
Scientific Decision Making may be constructed.
It is a tribute to the far-sightedness of Le Corbusier that he visualised the
important role that new developments in electronics could play, both for
audio-visual presentation, as well as for marshalling of data as an aid to decision
making.
Based on the four postulates laid down by Le Corbusier -- ethics, sociology,
economics, technology -- the museum would be a state-of-the-art building with
discussion rooms, seminar rooms, research facilities and a library-cum-research
centre. It will also house an exhibition/display room with all related facilities.
Envisaged as a space for the people by its designer it should be constructed in
order to complete the Capitol which is such a renowned work of Corbusier.