SMRITIVAN EARTHQUAKE MEMORIAL, BHUJ Architect: Rajeev Kathpalia Project Team: Piyas Choudhur, Divya Gunnam, Vikas Mittal, Rajesh Suthar, Micky Solanki, Purshottam. Bakrania, Natubhai Panchal, Kiritbhai Panchasara, Kirt Bhavsar, Anand Sonecha, Anish Pillai, Suketu Shah, Mohinder Singhal. Vastu Shilpa Consultants ‘Sangath’Thaltej Road, ‘Ahmedabad 380 054, INDIA Phone: +91 79 27451555, E mail [email protected]GUJARAT EARTHQUAKE In the early hours of January 26,2001, an earthquake that fed for but a few seconds in the state of Gujarat wiped ‘out 13,805 lives and with that destroyed property and infrastructure worth billions, 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 northem sea border cut off by tectonic shifts, leaving the section ‘of water to dry out and turn into what is today @ vast white desert - The Rann. kutch’s ecology, economy, culture, rituals, social structure, festivals and struggle for survival all revolves around water, interlinked with water and interdependent on water. we stu Shilpa hagaREGENERATION All over the world, cultures commemorate thelr loss in disasters, by keeping relics, memorials and building museums for remembrance of what has past. Our short but precise brief by the then Chief minister of Gujarat, ‘Shri Narendra Modi was to “Planta tree for each vitim" It symbolized rebirth, renewal and hope, the beginning of the journey of life once again. The planting of trees also suggested the making of a forest. How better to commemorate loss of human life than through a symbolic act of regeneration? forest. A biodiverse self- sustaining ecosystem that would over time need very little maintenance. The forest of trees also symbolizes the diversity of people. This assistance is to identify local species, identify the paths that water flows, the soil and nutrients that the water collects on its Journey and most importantly identity the places where the water can be collected to leak into the earth. The monsoon and its collection and. ‘eventual discharge to feed the trees is one kind of journey ~ a journey of nourishment, perpetuation and continuity, a journey of hope and delight. Thus, the other journey was to link these leaking reservoirs where the names of the victims would be ‘enshrined, by paths that the pilgrims would traverse and eventually rest, the views they would encounter, the horizon they would contemplate and eventually the space in which reflection and contemplation may perhaps happen, Rebirth Plaralty ‘Adaptation ¢ Evoution 3 ‘Transformation Celebeation through Siedvesty Existing Ste mapoing 30 fa © Face aint Division of Sectore Sectork 10 ers Sector Vastu Shilpa Consultants 3MASTERPLAN LEGEND 1. SunPoint 2 Ubrary 3. Regional Science ‘Museum 4. Lake Front 5. Festival Ground 6 Solar Park 7. Smritvan Phase 8. Smrtivan Phase I 9. Eo Park Parking 11. Conference and Art FacilityA JOURNEY OF NOURISHMENT, PERPETUITY AND. CONTINUITY [As the park matures it will become a place of not only pilgrimage but also a place of lelsure and recreation for the {growing population of Bhuj. Much like the Central Park in New York, a breathing lung forthe city and a place of reflection and ipoee foealetaete Landscapeupradaton process [A timeless knowledge Is apalied at Smriti Van, something that has always been done here: the water flowing is intercepted fon its way and stored. The reservoirs are of different dimensions and forms in relation with the slope and the shape of the precise place where they are installed. ‘Schematic Secionthroughthe ste trating water ond plantation stratgy Vastu Shilpa ConsultantsA JOURNEY OF NOURISHMENT, PERPETUITY AND. CONTINUITY ‘The master plan envisages 81 reservoirs to collect the runoff of the Bhuliyo Dungar. The overflow of each reservoir goes to the next and ‘eventually into a series of wetlands along the periphery ofthe 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 overfiow from the site and flood the surrounding ‘area in the monsoons will now be better contained especially considering that the cty has grown all around the site and the land is getting occupied by buildings. The reservoirs are of different dimensions and forms in relation with the slope and the shape of the precise place where they are Installed.RECHARGE RESERVOIRS ‘The reservoirs are made of gabions which ‘are enticely without mortar and thus allow for the arresting of rain water ofthe watersheds 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 filed up by the alluvium that the water brings in and seeds trapped init 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 charge Reservoir Type 4 Gates 5. Permanent water sump with 2-Viewinggalery aquaculture 4. Views names 6 Overflow and recycle water ‘4. cabions chamber 2. Overflow gargoyle 8 Station camberPLANTING DESIGN- PHASE 1 Patationas vse monsoon ‘The plants will bloom and have a unique aura in every changing season, The whole landscape will articulate various colors of al the In summer, most areas will be leafy witha few flowering trees. In winters, there will be a ‘wonderful display of several flowering trees as well as a huge umber of leafless tres. {And in monsoon, most of the areas are completely leafy, thus, marking the climax of the landscape Panatonasviasedin summer Famavonas wsalsedn winter ‘Vastu Shilpa ConsultantsPLANTING DESIGN- PHASE 2 ‘The plants will bloom and have a unique aura in every changing season, The whole landscape will articulate various colors of al the In summer, most areas will be leafy witha few flowering trees. In winters, there will be a ‘wonderful display of several flowering trees as well as a huge umber of leafless tres. {And in monsoon, most of the areas are completely leafy, thus, marking the climax of the landscape oo Panatonasveuasedin summer ‘Vastu Shilpa Consultants 9SUN POINT ‘The carvings and slits in the circular crown of the structure anchors a Joyful journey through the lunisolar ‘alendar with i's festivals and special days of the year. ‘The cuts in the solid body share a dialogue with the sun rays creating a symbolic play of light and shadow pertaining to the significance ofthe day. {All the meandering paths between the reservoirs finally lead tothe one that ascends the hill of the sun pointMUSEUM. ‘The museum anchors its journey within the city of Bhuj showcasing its unique heritage, culture and crafts and further connects to Kutch’s many villages and wild life sanctuaries. The proposed museum traces the roots of Kutch’s many crafts and skills and is thematically distributed in the many galleries that house it 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 @ snaking path to the top, Here terraces and volumes are linked by these open plazas. BSS ei