Kayvan Sunil Gogri

AR2029

The Bandstand at Kamatibaug, Vadodara is itself a pavilion which has been catering to different socio-cultural activities happening around. The site reflects the idea of centrality and axiality with six axes converging at the centre. The intent for the design proposal was not to disturb the integrity of the bandstand but appreciate its presence and hence the idea of sinking in the ground. Breaking the strong axes of the pathway is another gesture that is put forth so that the non-axial nodal points become spaces for the given program. The non-axial path is compared to a ‘crack’ in the Earth and the spaces are recessed in it. The introvert reading spaces cut themselves from the chaos. The retaining wall envelopes the spaces with light partition of wooden framework. The roof is like a bird’s beak craving for sunlight to come in.  The pavilion intervenes with the circular pathway near the bandstand and hence the curvilinear ramp acts as a ‘stitch’ connecting two parts of the land. The journey culminates near the statue looking back at where one started from!