Navya Pandey

AR2021

Observation Tower at Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is a walled complex consisting of more than nine buildings spread over an area of 62,000 meter square. Being spread over a large area the complex cannot be viewed at once. This program tries to resolve this issue and proposes a 21 meter high observation tower with kinetic balconies at various levels. A total of six kinetic balconies open outwards to provide views to Panch Mahal, Birbal's Palace, Jodha's Palace, Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e- Khas and distant view to Buland Darwaza and Jama Masjid.  The proposed building attempts to connect the entire complex visually.

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30 linear objects, 20 planar objects and 8 planar objects with punctures were composed to understand the 'Atmosphere' created by the composition "Passage and Winds" by Ravi Shankar and Philip Glass. The elements were detailed using chamfers, fillets, transparency and material choice.

Works of architect Renzo Piano were chosen to decode and understand details. Here, the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church has been decoded with the understanding of various details in the building.

The detail between the stainless steel struts and aprecina stone was further understood in detail by exploring the cross-sections, geometry, relationship between the dimensions.

The same detail was taken further to understand the change in character with the change in materials.

The movement of the kinetic balcony was derived from a carnivorous plant "Capesundew". The kinetic balcony was imagined as a part of compact housing in Mumbai (as shown in the sketch on the left)

The observation tower was perceived as central core surrounded by projections containing kinetic balconies.

Since the tower is high, sitting has been planned at two levels.

The movement of the kinetic balcony has been shown in three stages.

The exploded view shows the kit of parts of the kinetic balcony.

Details designed for the functioning of the balcony.

Project Video