THESIS PROPOSAL REPORT |2013

DEMOCRACY AND PUBLIC SPACE

ARCHITECTURE THAT TRANSCENDS DIFFERENCE
Abstract This Thesis hopes to study the possibilities of translating the ideologies of democracy into spatial form. Simultaneously breaking away from traditional images of power. It also hopes to explore the idea of translating digital space into the physical space. To achieve this I will be developing a programme that will aproppriate these characteristics.

There is no single theory of democracy; only theories"

SELINA ABRAHAM|UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING

GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASTHA UNIVERSITY|NEW DELHI GUIDE|SUDIPTO GHOSH

Robert Dahl

contents

Intoduction Methodology/ Objectives Theoretical Framework Case Studies Site Selection Site Analysis Programme Development Design Process

introduction
Architecture today has to deal with contemporary issues like democracy and secularism. How does the an architect respond to these condition? Does it merely imply freedom to anything and everything or is there more to democracy. This thesis proposes to investigate the possibilities of democracy in public space and contemporary architecture. Most people understand the concept of a democratic public space as a space of protest. But architecture and democracy go beyond protest. It represents the identity and the aspirations of the people, such that its transcends the diversity of a billion. This thesis proposes to explore a similar such representation of our physical environment keeping in consideration values of culture and secularism. The creation of an architecture of India presents the challenge of representing a contemporary institution within the rich contextual history that is India. The complexity of a city increase directly proportional to the number of components in a city. Delhi is one such city. It has a rich history and the centre for politics in India. We inherited an architecture from a colonial past whose civic structures are rendered in an almost authoritarian style with large landscaping, high walls, low ground coverage and FAR. Most of these colonial buildings still continue to be the symbol of Indian Democracy. Many government buildings are hidden away behind boundary walls Is it possible to architecturally represent Democracy? To begin, it is to establish what democracy is to architecture. Democracy in space is most commonly described as a space of protest. A space where the masses come together to debate issues pertinent to the country and the people. A space to question the ways of the government and make their voices heard. Such symbols of democracy can be seen in Delhis Jantar Mantar, India Gate and the Ramlila Maidan. Another way to represent the ideals of Democracy, particularly by architects have been to symbolically translate these concepts into physical manifestations. Like the Seagram Building by Mies van der Rohe which has been described to be, embodies the progressive values and industrial power of a triumphant America... streamlined glass-and-steel forms proclaimed a faith in machine-age efficiency and an open, honest, democratic society....1 Of course translating the idea of transparency into a glass faade might be too literal, it is important to acknowledge the stand taken by the architect. Democracy can also translate to access of space. How an architect designs to accommodate the public can also be seen as a reflection of appropriating design for a democratic country.

1 Nicolai Ouroussoff, Pride and Nostalgia Mix in The Timess New Home The New York Times, [online article] (2007) < http://www. nytimes.com/2007/11/20/arts/design/20time.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&adxnnlx=1308844050-Rlm1zx1E5%2013mTbv3/DUnA >

National Museum,
New Delhi
Image Source: Author (2012), New Delhi

NDMC Building: A Civic Centre

Image Source: Author (2012), New

Protests at India Gate

Image Source: ndtv.com

Seagram Building by Mies

Image Source: Carter Hosley, Plazas and Privately Owned Public Space, The City Review, [Online webpage] < http://www.thecityreview.com/plazas. html>

methodology

issues
Can all Architecture be all inclusive? The idea of building a wall immediately establishes difference. So can all buildings be democratic? What does democracy mean to architecture? Is it a symbolic gesture or perhaps freedom of public movement? Or could it mean establishing a new order to reinforce democracy(this implies inventing a brief, client and function from scratch)? How can the ideologies of democracy be translated to the physical built environment?

A brief introduction the ideologies of democracy...

Modern democracy originates from the ideas of Classical Greece. Its citizens had sufficiently harmonius interest and the idea of general good did not contradict their personal aims. However the privelege of citizenship was limited and overall the system only maintained true at a small scale. The Modern Representative Government - for the large state Republic. Human beings live together in political association. All citizens must be equal before the law and must participate in the ruling. A mixed government of democracy to balance the views of many.

DEMOCRACY AND THE MAJORITY

Democracy is supposed to be the rule of the majority. Government of the majority of the people, for the majority of the people, by the majority of the people. The Democracy Boundary Problem questions the peoples capabilities as political agents, their political competence. In order to effectively further ones interest through democratic processes one must arguably possess a certain degree of knowledge and rationality.

CRITERIA FOR A 1. Effective participation - throughout the process of making binding collective decisions, citizens ought to have an adequate opportunity, and an equal opportunity, for expressing their preferences as to the final outcome, debating an agenda, and expressing reasons for endorsing one outcome rather than another; 2. Voting equality - at the decisive stage of collective decisions, each citizen must be ensured an equal opportunity to express a choice that will be counted as equal in weight to the choice of any other citizen, and it is only these choice that must be taken into account; All citizens should have the equal choice and oppurtunity to express the views, preferences or reasoning on any subject in a all-

DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

theory

DEMOCRACY

Image Source: http://www.presseurop.eu

While no consensus exists on how to define democracy, equality and freedom have both been identified as important characteristics of democracy since ancient times.] These principles are reflected in all eligible citizens being equal before the law and having equal access to legislative processes. For example, in a representative democracy, every vote has equal weight, no unreasonable restrictions can apply to anyone seeking to become a representative, and the freedom of its eligible citizens is secured by legitimized rights and liberties which are generally protected by a constitution.
Image Source: www.bloggingtheology.wordpress.com

framework

inviting space not constricted by boundaries or parameters.

Political theorists like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Charles Montesquieu and Jean Jacques Rousseau all differ in their opinions on the social contract. A natural agreement of sorts either with a sovereign in the form of the king or a group of people or a representative government. But the most interesting interpretation is that of Jean Jacques Rousseau: Hence a democracy, not only implies freedom of speech or fundamental rights but also a duty to social contract. They would give up all their THE give back to the commurights, not to a king, but to the whole com- nity. A common misconSOCIAL munity, all the people. He called all the people the ception in our country CONTRACT sovereign, a term used by Thomas Hobbes to mainly where every expects JEAN JACQUES refer to a king. The people then exercised their gen- something from the ROUSSEAU eral will to make laws for the public good. government but refuse to Image Source: www.frontpagemag.com contribute. The problem in the state of nature, Rousseau said, was to find a way to protect everyones life, liberty, and property while each person remained free. Rousseaus solution was for people to enter into a

THE SOCIAL CONTRACT

3. enlightened understanding - each citizen ought to have adequate and equal opportunities for discovering and validating the choice on the matter to be decided that would best serve his interests; Citizens should not only be provided with the oppurtunity to exercise their rights to choose but also the opportunity to make an educated choice. Choice debated amongst the community as well as experts and professionals on the subject, so as to understand all spheres of the argument. 4. Must produce the best feasible system all around with respect to the idea of intrinsic equality; and it is instrumental to (ii) maximum feasible freedom; (iii) human development; (iv) the protection of personal interests Source: Slantchev Branislav, Democracy and Its Critics (1989)by Robert Dahl: A Review Gotterdamerung .com [online website] (2001 Review) < http://www.gotterdammerung.org/books/ reviews/d/democracy-and-its-critics.html >

In order to proceed it was important to understand democracy as an ideology. This sheet represents a summary of mhy study.

DEMOCRATIZING THE CREATION OF ARCHITECTURE ...Citizen participation in planning and design making process... Democracy can interpreted as the right to choose and build your own built environment. A project where one can question where the architects responsibilities lie at - the government? The developer? or the general public?

ARCHITECTURALLY INTERPRETING DEMOCRACY

PROMOTING DEMOCRACY ...Dealing with government buildings, courthouses, public buildings, etc.,.. For instance, New Delhi has a history of colonial re-adaptation when it comes to government buildings. A more contemporary democratic approach breaking away from colonial shackles would be an interesting approach

DEMOCRACY AND THE IMPACT OF SYMBOLISM ...Literal or symbolic derivation of democratic ideals.,.. Physical translation of democratic ideals into architectural concepts with symbolic connotations. But is this is best way to interpret democracy architecturally? An important aspect but perhaps a secondary gesture.

DEMOCRACY AS FREEDOM AND TRANSPARENCY ...Allowing Public Access and visual transparency to convey ideas of ,.. The idea of transparency or a visual connection allowing people to see or access information. The idea perhaps best not to be to taken too literally but establishing a visual connection in order to invite people to participate in the workings of democracy is a plausible gesture.

Town Hall: Dutch Architect Bjarke Engels

Image Source: Chesire Tom, Two-way Town Hall, wired. co.uk [online article] (2012) < http://www.wired.co.uk/ magazine/archive/2012/02/

As a part of my study it was also important to study how I Democracy could be translated Architecturally or spatially.

No One On A Political Or Professional Level Is Interested In Spatial Questions In A Meaningful Way. Need for citizens to press politicians to accept and address view of inevitably of start future scenarios. The public does not believe that spatial questions are of any importance to society, which allows politicians to ignore these questions and avoid being proactive.Equally, the design and planning professional works to preserve and increase their autonomy at the expense of their relationship to society at large.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Citizens not only have the rights to freedom of speech and participation in government policies but also to give back to community as part of their social contract. The Public has a role in the majority that has the right to choose government policies. An oppurtunity to be provided to educate the masses on current issues and to debates the pros and cons- a space for interaction of ideas and thoughts.

DEMOCRACY AND INFORMATION The Promotion of Democracy Through Access of Information. Information is critical to the functioning of a Democracy. It is Important to create a forum where access to information can be simplified reducing the complications of most government procedures. In the age of Digital Information, one might question the need for a physical space. But it is important even for digital information to be associated with an organization of a physical portal as it makes the experience more personal.

Image Source: www.kunalanand1989.blogspot. com

The Tradition of Soapbox Debates Hyde Park, London Image Source: newcity.com

Source: ANCB, Design & Politics Reader, The Metropolitan Laboratory, [online debate series] (2011) Netherlands

Democracy Diaologues by The Tehelka Foundation

AUSTRALIA Parliament House, Canberra ARCHITECTS|Mitchell/Giurgola CLIENT|Parliamnet House Construction Authority

The brief of the Parliament house required that it become a major national symbol that people could associate with national politics and reflect its political and social context. At the same time careful thought had to be put Into implications of the scale and monumentality of the design. The philosophy which the building expresses and its popular success would depend on the extent to which public access and involvement is encourage by the design. It could not appear remote and inaccessible. This would facilitate connotations of a peoples Parliament and open government. In order to achieve these requirements, it could me built over the existing hill as it would symbolically represent a government imposed upon the people. This ideology however was adopted by Lutyens who designed the Viceroy House as a symbol of domination. A symbol that the Indian Government has nevertheless adopted. Instead, the architects built the parliament under the hill symbolically rising out of the Australian landscape and extending invitation to all citizens to visit the building to see the workings of the democracy that is Australia. The invitation was to be seen in the descending arms of the walls of the Forecourt.

REICHSTAG Building, Germany ARCHITECTS|Norman Foster CLIENT|German Government

The Reichstag is the first step on Germanys quest to develop buildings, which fit to a united Germanys new status in Europe, while stressing a break with its turbulent history. City planners, who are keen to recreate Berlins prewar scale and mix of residential and commercial buildings, have tried to stop international architects who flocked here after the Wall fell from losing sight of the past. The Reichstag is a mix of international styles, with the bombastic Classical style shell from the 1890s, to the scars left by fire and war, and a cutting edge copula designed by a British architect. The Senate didnt want to reinvent Berlin, but wanted to use the old buildings as a resource for the New Berlin. A symbol of the new Democratic European Germany, the Reichstag leads the world in environmental efficiency and setting a precedent for the rebuilding of Berlin. The Parliament was pushing for a recreation of the historical dome but it portrays power over people and nations and there was fear that it would be misinterpreted. Everyone wanted change but knew they couldnt shed the weight of the past so some how the building had to be lightened symbolically. Foster came up with a plan which would create a dome, included the public, was light, and was a source of renewable energy. His plan was to create a cupola, which was conceived as a lantern with all the associations that term implies. It is a generative element in the internal workings of the building and a key component in the lighting and energy-saving strategies.1 One main theme of Fosters new Reichstag is transparency - not just politically, but in the literal sense. The glass roof looks directly down onto the debating chamber itself.2 Its a symbolic and literal translation of the German
1 NC State University, Norman Fosters Reichstag: Blending the Past and Present, [blog entry] (2012) <http://kaliu.wordpress.ncsu.edu/2012/11/14/reichstag-at-worldsstage/> 2 BBC UK, The New Reichstag - transparency and democracy [webpage] (2007)

case studies

architecturally interpretting democracy

project ideas

Public Access is seen an important gesture in a strong

Democratic context. The general public to have access to about one-fifth of the building. By contrast, it has been estimated that 10 per cent of the Houses of Parliament in London is accessible to visitors, and 14 per cent of the Scottish Parliament.5 One Australian legislator has reported the amazement of visiting international parliamentarians, who are struck by the fact that we allow the public to come in and roam around. They are invariably impressed by the openness of the building.

Information Source: The Australian Parliament House: Architecture and the Architect Parliament of Australia Official Website [online website] <http://www.aph. gov.au/Visit_Parliament/ About_the_Building/Architecture_and_the_Architect>

BANGALORE ONE. ONE STOP ONE SERVICE NYC INFORMATION CENTRE. NEW YORK National Institute for Smart Government ARCHITECTS|WXY Architecture in collaboration with Local Design CLIENT|GOVT. OF KARNATAKA CLIENT|NYC & COMPANY

case studies

program study
project ideas

NYC INFORMATION CENTRE Image Source: World Architecture News, NYC Information Centre Opens, [online article] < http:// www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index. php?fuseaction=wanappln. Vision The vision of the Bangalore One project is to provide to the citizens of Karnataka, all G2C and G2B services and information of departments and agencies of Central, State and Local Governments in an efficient, reliable, transparent and integrated manner on a sustained basis, with certainty, through easy access to a chain of computerized Integrated Citizen Service Centers (ICSCs) and through multiple delivery channels like Electronic Kiosks, mobile phones and the Internet.
Payment of water, electricity, telephone bills etc as well as receipt of applications for new connections. Payment of prop erty tax and provision of market value assistance. Issue of khatha, birth/death certificates etc. Filing of grievances Issue/renewal of driving license. Sale of application forms for new passports and registration of new passport applications Collection of taxes including KST, CST and entry tax.

A high-tech interactive map that works in conjunction with personal mobile devices to create customised city guides. With countless numbers of restaurants, museums, shops, music venues, and theatres, New York City can be a rather overwhelming experience for tourists. The sheer volume of activities and attractions available in the city requires some organisation and planning that traditional guidebooks and leaflets may not provide quickly enough to the 21st century traveller. The NYC Visitors Information Center located in Midtown Manhattan combines

Services render by the project:

contemporary architecture and media to create a seamless experience. Local Projects and WXY Architecture and Urban Design worked together

to deliver a unique solution that pushes the conventional boundaries of tourism.

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTRE. PHILADELPHIA ARCHITECTS|PEI COBB FREED & PARTNERS 1998-2003 total area|26000 SQM designers|Henry Cobb|Ian Bader
CONCEPT The National Constitution Center is devoted to be the first structure to celebrate American democracy. Its goal is not to enshrine the historical document but to explain its relevance, explain it past and the principles that guide them today. Transparency is the key idea behind the design. The design translates the ideas of freedom and selfgovernment in the form of openness; inviting and engaging visitors with views into the museum. The buildings diagonal geometry speaks dynamically of the Constitutions capacity to shape and be shaped by the society it governs. PROGRAM The MUSEUM begins with an introductory theatre in-the-round, conceived to serve also a NATIONAL TOWN HALL. Visitors are also engaged by a series of interactive EXHIBITIONS present to explain the complexities of the Constitution to people of different ages and backgrounds.
1

case studies
program study
architecture case study

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTRE IMAGE SOURCE: Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Architects

PROGRAM DETAILS SOURCE: Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Architects

MAJOR COMPONENTS AREA LOBBY AND PUBLIC FACILITIES 3300 SQM EXHIBITION SPACE - PERMANENT 2200 SQM TEMPORARY 364 SEAT THEATRE 195 SEAT THEATRE 500 SQM EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH CENTRE 300 SQM RESTAURANT (300 SEATS) SCHOOL LUNCH AREA (300 SEATS) MUSEUM SHOP 340 SQM ADMINISTRATION 2000 SQM FOUNDER ROOM 140 SQM PARKING 169 CARS

Image Source: A More Perfect Union, Civil Engineering [online article] < http://www.lera.com/files/ncc%20article_p01-full%20 article-clean-reduced.pdf >

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

1 Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, Project Details: National Constitution Centre PCF&P Website [online webpage] < http://www.pcf-p.com/a/p/9810/s.html >

A circular multimedia exhibit hall - The American Experience - presents visitors with 100 displays that emphasize the historical significance and modern relevance of the Constitution.
Image Source: A More Perfect Union, Civil Engineering [online article] < http://www.lera.com/files/ncc%20 article_p01-full%20article-cleanreduced.pdf >

site selection

site selection
This thesis essentially strives to create a democratic space by creating a forum or an interface for public-state interaction. Thereby Fullfilling conditions of public participation in the affairs of the state. Such an interface can created while dealing with the state at different heirarchies. There are various scales of Public Participation and engagement in policy development and Planning.The Pragati Maidan site for the Supreme Court Annexe represent a higher level of authority. The Vikas Bhawan Site represents an interaction with the state at a more smaller level. But the possibility for public interaction and information exchange is more. For this reason I am choosing the Vikas Bhawan Site for this project.

Supreme Court Annexe Site, Pragati Maidan

Vikas Bhawan, IP Estate

In order to proceed to next step I expirented with different forms and movement patterns on site so as to incorporate it with the previous exercise.