Indian Architecture

¶ … Indian architecture Architectural context This spacious building is open-sided and resembles a pavilion in appearance more than a formal, permanent structure. Its walls are open. The building has a jutting foyer with two flanking sides. It seems designed for outdoor use. There are elaborate rods holding up the ceiling. The ceiling, unlike the walls, is not transparent, but seems to be made of smoked glass. The shape of the large, tunneled halls is rounded although it comes to a peak at the top.

Surmise: Building and history This building looks similar to a temporary structure designed for an outdoor festival. It is located amongst verdant grass and gardens. It would be an ideal place for a band to play, or to house an exhibition, allowing the crowds to dart in and out of the covered area. The building is more elaborate than a temporary tent: there is a suggestion of a temple, almost like the Taj Mahal in its presentation.

Because of its beauty and intricacy as well as the fact that the rods holding it up are rooted to the ground, however, it is likely that the building is permanent but is designed mainly for outdoor use when the weather is nice. It is also possible that it can be rented out for weddings and other significant private events as well as staged public affairs. The spaciousness of the structure makes it an ideal place for people to circulate and mingle.

Why does it look the way it does? The building is elaborate enough to give whatever transpires under its dome a regal quality but is informal in its spaciousness enough for a pleasant gathering. Above all its openness is what makes it designed for outdoor functions. But unlike an impermanent tent it enables itself to be used for much more frequent scheduled gatherings. Also, it is sturdier and more airy than a tent, making the experience of using it far more pleasant.

Of course, it would be possible to construct a beautiful closed structure to offer similar benefits. But this would mean that the patrons could not enjoy the outdoors and the gardens during the ceremony and the event. Also, by opening up the building, this ensures that the entire courtyard can accommodate people during the event. People can circulate from shade to sun, depending on the weather and if necessary take refuge from any rain.

What might its function be? How do you know this? There are several possible functions: it is possible that the building is a public structure, designed for holiday festivals enjoyed by the community. Or, it might simply be an outdoor shelter for a public garden that enables people to seek shade as they wander. Conversely, it could be privately owned and rented out to people to celebrate various family or large celebrations. It might even be located on the grounds of a large house.

Regardless, because of its openness and great size, it is clearly designed to be used in summer for the out-of-doors. Its elaborate craftsmanship suggests that it is specifically intended for special occasions, as a tourist attraction, or for use by the wealthy. Who was its potential patron? Its designer? Its builder? It is possible that the patron was a very wealthy individual or it was contracted by a city.

Either way, given the fact it does not serve a necessary purpose, but is mainly ornamental, someone of wealth must have financially supported its construction. Its designer seems to be an admirer of old, temple pavilion-like structures and perhaps European-style cathedrals, given the layout. The builder must have had to balance the need for spaciousness with sturdiness. The top part of the building seems suspended and weightless on top of the columns holding it up but it must be secure enough to withstand strong winds and hurricanes.

How might it relate to other buildings in its location? This building may be attached to a larger structure, such as a house or a great mansion. In that instance, it would be an ideal location to look at the gardens of that venue within the encased area. If it is in a public space, it might be an area in which wanderers in a park could take shade as they went shopping or simply came outdoors to gaze at the flowers.

If it is used for festivals, ceremonies, and private locations, it would ideally be located near venues of public transportation and parking, to allow for easy access. When a building is designed to be enjoyed in a park, it should be far away enough from the hustle and bustle of the city to ensure that it provides a respite of tranquility and the sounds and sights of the exterior world such as bumping horns and shouting do not intrude.

But it should also be close enough to allow for easy and convenient access. Can you decide when it was constructed? The building looks modern, given the fragility of its structure: no old building could have endured that was made of such fragile construction. The building is very top-heavy, with the ceiling far weightier than the bottom. An open structure like this is.