STATUE PARK

PRINSEP GHAT

AT

2011

STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

CONTENT
PREAMBLE SITE APPRAISAL STATUES AS THEY ARE NOW DESIGN CONCEPT

2011

STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

PREAMBLE
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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

GANGA , THE GANGES , THE RIVER HOOGLY IS LIKE PANDORA'S BOX. THERE IS ENDLESS SCOPE OF DEVELOPMENT IN AND AROUND THIS GREAT RIVER. IT IS MORE THAN TWICE AS WIDE AS THE RIVER THAMES, & MUCH MORE WIDE THAN PARIS'S RIVER SIENE, WITH BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS ALONG DALHOUSIE WITH THE GREATEST GREEN SPACE, 'MAIDAN' THAT ANY CITY IN THE WORLD CAN OFFER AS ITS CORE AREA . THE SCOPE OF DEVELOPING WEST BANK INTO A VIBRANT & ACTIVE URBAN SPACE COMPARABLE TO THE SINGAPORE OR THE HONKONG WATER FRONT OR THE FRENCH REVIERA. THE REDEVELOPMENT OF LALDIGHI AND CUZON PARK, ETC. ARE PART OF THE EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME TO REDEVELOP THE AREA. IN COMPARISON, THE STATUE PARK NEAR PRINSEP GHAT IS A SMALL PROJECT BUT IS THE STARTING POINT OF RESTORING THE 3+ KILOMETER STRETCH OF EAST BANK DEVELOPMENT CULMINATING AT THE FLOWER MARKET.

INTRODUCTION

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

PROPOSED LONG DISTANCE BUS TERMINUS.

WEST BANK DEV. FORESHORE RD.

THIS STRECH OF THE RIVERSIDE CAN BE CONVERTED INTO THE MOST EXCLUSIVE AREA OF THE METROPOLIS. LIKE THE FRENCH RIVERIA OR AT LEAST THE MARINE DRIVE OF BOMBAY.

MULLICK BAZAAR. FERRY GHAT.

HOWRAH STN. FERRY GHAT.

PRINCEP GHAT. ITS SURROUNDING ARE TO BE CONVERTED INTO A STATUE PARK- THOSE BEAUTIFUL, OLD STATUES OF MAIDAN BROUGHT BACK FROM BARRACKPORE.

MILLENIUM PARK IS THE STARTING OF A NEW WAVE TO IMPROVE THE EAST BANK FOR BETTER PUBLIC USE.

FLOTILA & FLOATING HOTEL, RESTAURANT & BANQUETING FACILITY.

AN IDEAL ARE FOR WATER SPORTS. REGULAR & ADVENTURE.

ANOTHER GOOD AREA FOR PROPAGATING WATER SPORTS. REGULAR & ADVENTURE. A BEAUTIFUL WAREHOUSE + THE SURROUNDING AREA TO BE CONVERTED INTO A STATE OF THE ART FLOWER MARKET, & COMMERCIAL, RECREATIONAL ZONE & WATER SPORTS.

FERRY GHAT. EAST BANK.

REDEVELOPMENT OF LALDIGHI.

FORT WILLIAM

REDEVELOPMENT OF CURZON PARK.

LOCATION PLAN ...

THE UNDULATING GREEN AREA AROUND FORT CAN BE DEVELOPED INTO A BEAUTIFUL PARK FOR PUBLIC.

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

FLOWER MARKET

VIDYA SAGAR SETU- NEW BRIDGE. UNIQUE, BEAUTIFUL & GORGEOUS

MAN OF THE WAR. JETTY WITH ANCHORED SHIP AS AN OBJECT OF ATTRACTION.

RABINDRA SETU. OLD HOWRAH BRIDGE. SIGNATURE STRUCTURE OF STRENGTH AND BEAUTY.

SITE APPRAISAL
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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

AS SUCH, THE DESIGN APPROACH HAS TO BE SOFTER AND IN SYNC WITH NATURE.
JAMES PRISEP GHAT RAILWAY STATION BUILDING OFFICER'S REST HOUSE BUFFER END

LAWN

PRINSEP

MEMORIAL CAMPUS

VIDYASAGAR SETU

THE NORTHERN STRETCH OF THE RIVERFRONT IS PRIMARILY URBAN WITH A STARK BACKGROUND OF OLD ARCHITECTURAL EDIFICES SPRINKLED WITH SCANTY TREES. IT IS EXTREMELY CONGESTED WITH HEAVY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FLOWING ALONG THE ADJACENT STRAND ROAD. THE SOUTHERN STRETCH IS COMPARITIVELY SOFTER WITH LUSH GREEN LAWNS AND LIGHTER TRAFFIC MOVEMENT AND THE MAJESTIC FORT WILLIAM AT THE FAR END. THE STRETCH ON THE OTHER SIDE SHOULD BE TREATED IN A DIFFERENT MANNER,KEEPING THE COMPLETE CONTRAST IN AMBIENCE BETWEEN THE NORTHERN & FARTHEST SOUTHERN END OF THE ROAD.

FORT WILLIAM

CONDEMNED RAIL TRACK CONDEMNED RAIL TRACK

GHAT

H O

BATHING

GHAT

EXISTING SITE PLAN...

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

AS ONE MOVES ALONG STRAND ROAD, A PANORAMIC VIEW OF VIDYASAGAR SETU & JAMES PRINSEP MEMORIAL CATCHES THE EYE. THE BEAUTY OF THIS JUXTAPOSITION OF THE OLD WITH THE CONTEMPORARY, IS MYSTICAL & CAPTIVATING.
BUT THE GREEN MUNDANE SPACE IN THE FRONT IS DEVOID OF ANY CHARACTER THAT WOULD HIGHLIGHT THE GRANDEUR OF THE SPACE. HENCE IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE SITE BE DEVELOPED IN THE MOST SENSITIVE WAY SUCH THAT THE BEST IS BROUGHT FORTH.

SITE APPRAISAL...

A GRAND VIEW OF SOUTH EASTERN FACE OF JAMES PRINSEP MEMORIAL. THERE ARE A FEW STRAY POTS IN THE VICINITY OF THE STRUCTURE. THE PLACE CAN BE BEAUTIFIED BY LANDSCAPING WITH BUSHY SHRUBS, HEDGES, & CREEPERS.

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

THE SITE IS SURROUNDED WITH FULL GROWN TREES WITH TRAINS PLYING LATERALY ALONG THE GHATS.

THE PLATFORM.

A VIEW OF A LAUNCH ANCHORED AT THE WESTERN BANKS OF RIVER GANGA. THE OPEN SPACE IN FRONT IS GREEN BUT LACKS MAINTENANCE, AND A PATHWAY.

END POINT OF THE RAILWAY LINE.

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SITE APPRAISAL...

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THE GHATS HAVE NO PROPER EMBANKMENTS AND WEEDS GROW DUE TO LACK OF PROPER CARE.

THE GHATS NEED TO BE RESTORED AND AUGMENTED AS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN SIT, RELAX IN THE PRECINCTS OF NATURAL SURROUNDINGS, OR OPT FOR WATER SPORTS SUCH AS BOATING, YATCHING, ETC. A FEW JETTIES ARE AVAILABLE WITH THE PORT TRUST AUTHORITIES WHICH CAN BE BROUGHT IN TO THE GHATS TO FACILITATE CROSSING OVER TO THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE. PROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE GHATS, ILLUMINATION AND LANDSCAPE WILL MAKE THE GHATS USABLE AND SOCIALLY ACTIVE.

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SITE APPRAISAL...

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

THE INTERNAL ROAD LEADING TO THE SITE, FROM STRAND THE SITE IS SURROUNDED WITH LUSH GREEN TREES. ROAD, IS LINED WITH TREES AND A FEW LAMPOSTS.

THE KUTCHA ROAD ALONG THE GANGES IS NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND DOES NOT FACILITATE PUBLIC USE. TO MAKE THE SITE APPROACHABLE, IT IS NECESSARY TO DEVELOP WALKWAYS AND MAINTAIN THE SURROUNDINGS APPROPRIATELY.

GIVEN A LITTLE CARE AND PROPER MAINTAINANCE, THE SPACE CAN BE CONVERTED INTO A PARADISE- NANDANKANAN'.

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

STATUES AS THEY ARE NOW

IN THE BARRACKPORE FLAG STAFF HOUSE CAMPUS
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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

THE SCULPTURES IN THE BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED PREMISES HAVE BEEN WELL MAINTAINED OVER THE YEARS.

THUS, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THESE SCULPTURES BE BROUGHT TO A PLACE WHERE THEY ARE APPRECIATED.

THE LOCATION

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

BUT THE GLORY AND GRANDEUR EACH MASTERPIECE EMBODIES, IS UNNOTICED DUE TO LOCATIONAL DISADVANTAGE.

THE LOCATION
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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

IN THE BARRACKPORE FLAG STAFF HOUSE CAMPUS

SCULPTURES AS IT IS............
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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

DESIGN CONCEPT
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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

SCULPTURES KIOSKS PAVILIONS RAISED GARDEN LIKE A LOW RIDGE AS A SECURITY WALL WITH GATE. EXOTIC FLOWERING TREES & MOSTLY SHRUBS AROUND THE COMPLEX TO CREATE A BREATH TAKING AMBIENCE.

PAVED AREA FOR ROLLER SKATING.

PATHWAYS IN THE FORM OF DRIED OUT STREAMLET WITH A BED OF COARSE SAND & PEBBLES - A SOURCE OF JOY FOR THE OLD & FUN FOR KIDS.

WATER SPORTS. NEW JETTY ETC.

PROPOSED MASTER PLAN ...

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

AS BUILT FORMS OCCUPY MORE AND MORE OF THE URBAN LANDSCAPE, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO ENHANCE & UTILISE THE LIMITED RESOURCE OF OPEN SPACE TO ITS MAXIMUM. FUTILE PROGRESS AND THE PURSUIT OF ACHIEVMENTS HAS CONSEQUENTLY UNDERMINED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SHARING THE GLORIOUS PAST AND REVELLING IN FESTIVITIES TOGETHER. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROPOSAL IS TO CELEBRATE THE HUMAN SPIRIT. RELOCATING THE SCULPTURES PRESENTLY AT THE BARRACKPORE FLAG STAFF HOUSE IS AN ATTEMPT OF PROVIDING A SOCIALLY & CULTURALLY VIBRANT SPACE WITHIN THE CITY OF KOLKATA. AS SUCH THE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL: EVERY SCULPURE IS A MASTERPIECE AND NEEDS TO BE PLACED AGAINST AN APPROPRIATE BACKGROUND TO ENHANCE ITS BEAUTY AND INDIVIDUALITY. SOFT & SUBDUED ILLUMINATION OF PREMISES, AND FENCING WITH CREEPERS, SHRUBS AND HEDGES IS IMPORTANT TO FACILITATE PUBLIC USE. KOLKATA - A CITY WHICH HAS APPRECIATED , ACKNOWLEDGED AND ADAPTED "ART" IN ALL ITS FORMS FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL. TO ENLIVEN THE SITE, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO PROVIDE ACTIVITIES THAT WILL BE ENTERTAINING , SOOTHING AS WELL AS VARIED TO DRAW PEOPLE. THE OPEN GROUND AROUND PRINCEP GHAT & THE MEMORIAL STRUCTURE, IS AN IDEAL SPACE FOR HOSTING A VARIETY OF PERFORMANCES REGULARLY. THESE WILL INCLUDE SEMI - CLASSICAL MUSICAL CONCERTS, JAZZ PERFORMANCES, FOLK MUSIC &DANCE, EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE, ETC. KITE FESTIVALS, COMPETITIONS, ETC. WILL BE ORGANISED IN THE OPEN SPACE. THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE OF SITTING IN THE LAWN SURROUNDED BY LUSH GREEN TREES, IN THE PRECINCT OF THE GRAND STRUCURE WILL BRING THE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE PERFORMER IN CLOSE CONTEXT WITH 'NATURE'.

DESIGN CONCEPT...

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

THE PRECINCTS OF THE GHAT NEED TO BE ENRICHED WITH ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL DRAW PUBLIC INTEREST AND INVOLVE THEM TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY AS WELL AS PASSIVELY AS ONLOOKERS IN THE EVENTS THAT WILL FOLLOW.

RIVER GANGA, THE LIFE LINE FLOWING THROUGH THE CITY WILL BE ENHANCED BY ORGANISING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WITH THE AUDIENCE SITTING ALONG THE BANKS. THESE WILL INCLUDE JOINING BOATS IN A FLEET TO HOST VARIOUS PERFORMANCES ON THEM, FIREWORKS DISPLAY, DECORATIVE FLOATS ON FESTIVE OCCASSIONS, ETC.

DESIGN CONCEPT...

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

THE MOVING TRAIN AND THE RAMBLING SOUND AGAINST THE TRACKS ALWAYS INTRIGUES THE ENTHUSIASTIC CHILDREN & ONLOOKERS AS WELL AS THE PASSENGERS WHO SHARE THE SAME NOSTALGIC FEELING - LIKE 'APU' IN PATHER PACHAALI INTRODUCING SUBWAYS TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT, PLANT TREES TO SUBDUE THE SOUND GENERATED, ETC. WILL CONSERVE THE MYSTICISM AND BEAUTY OF THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE.

ROLLER SKATING TRACKS, NATURAL SAND BEDS OF GRAVELS AND PEBBLES WILL PROVIDE AMPLE RECREATION FOR CHILDREN WHO CAN REVEL IN ACTIVITIES VARYING FROM ROLLER SKATING, CYCLING, ETC.

DESIGN CONCEPT...

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

THIS COMPOSITION CAN BE COUNTERBALANCED WITH A FEW FREE STANDING, SIMPLISTIC, TUBULAR FORMS , WHICH AT NIGHT WILL SERVE THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING DRAMATIC ILLUMINATION.

THE MYSTICISM AND CHARISMA EXUDED BY THE SCULPTURES, IS ENHANCED BY TREATING EACH MASTERPIECE DIFFERENTLY. 2011

DESIGN CONCEPT...

AT SOME PLACES, SCULPTURES CAN BE DRAMATICALLY PLACED ON HIGH PEDESTALS AGAINST THE RIVER GANGA.

AT SOME PLACES, THE PEDESTAL CAN BE COVERED WITH RAISED, LANDSCAPED MOUNDS AGAINST A BACKDROP OF TREES & SHRUBS, HIGHLIGHTING THE DIGNITY OF THE STATUE.

STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

THE AREA SHOULD HAVE A NATURALISTIC BOUNDARY TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST TRESSPASSING AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE MAINTENANCE TO THE SITE. THE BARRIER WOULD NOT BE MADE OF SOLID WALL OR FENCING, BUT WITH NATURAL FORMS LIKE EARTHY EMBANKMENT COVERED WITH GRASS & LOW SHRUBS /CREEPERS, YUCCAS (THORN BEARING TREES) AT THE BASE, BOHEMIAS OR ERYTHRINAS AND PLUMERIA TREES OF VARYING HEIGHT ALONG THE ENTRANCE, TO FACILITATE PROVISION OF A TICKET COUNTER AND GATE. THIS BEAUTIFUL COMPOSITION OF SOFT HUES, COLOURS VARYING IN HEIGHT AND TYPE WILL CREATE VISUAL & SOUND BARRIERS, THUS PRESERVING THE SPIRIT OF MYSTICISM AND SIMPLICITY THE SPACE EXUDES.

DESIGN CONCEPT...

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY BELOW THE PROPOSED CIRCULAR RAILWAY LINE AS RAMP AND STAIRWAYS, WILL FACILITATE UNDISTURBED PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT & PROVIDE A SAFE LINK BETWEEN THE SMALL EASTERN ( ENTRANCE) PORTION AND THE VAST WESTERN (RIVERSIDE) PORTION. THE RAILWAY TRACK SHOULD BE FENCED OUT & EXTENSIVELY LANDSCAPED WITH SHRUBS AND CREEPERS FOR SAFETY AND REDUCING THE SOUND POLLUTION GENERATED DUE TO THE DYNAMIC MOVEMENT OF THE TRAINS.

DESIGN CONCEPT...

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT

THE WALKWAYS WILL MOVE A MEANDERING PATH IN THE FORM OF A DRIED OUT STREAM LET WITH A BED OF LOOSE GRAVEL & PEBBLES, WITH FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS WITH MESMERISING FRAGRANCE, GROWING ALL ALONG. THE ENTIRE AMBIENCE WILL EMULATE AN AURA OF SERENITY, SIMPLICITY AND MYSTICISM.

DESIGN CONCEPT...

FOOD COURTS & REST ROOMS IN STYLISED SEMI URBAN FORM, ESPECIALLY AKIN TO FOREST LODGES, MADE OF STEEL / WEATHERED WOOD / TERRACOTTA TILES / WOODEN SHINGLES, AND THATCHED ROOFING SYSTEM, WILL BE LOCATED ALONG WALKWAYS LINED WITH EXISTING TREES AND INTERSPERSED WITH WIDE COURTYARDS.

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STATUE PARK AT PRINCEP GHAT