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Working Places
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The Capitol Complex is the focal point if the city, both visually and symbolically
whose architectural whose architecture is considering to be the most representative
of Le Corbusier's work. This complex of Govt. buildings representing all three essential
components of a complete democracy the Legislature, the executive and the judiciary
stands against the blue silhouette of lower Shivalik ranges, on the foothills of
Himalayas. The Capitol Complex is the embodiment of the spirit of exaltation, power
& permanence experienced by Indians on acquiring self government after long, bitter
struggle for freedom.
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The Capitol area was designed as a great pedestrian plaza with motorized traffic
confined to sunken trenches. The complex is planned on a cross axis wherein rigid
symmetry has been avoided in placement of various buildings.
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The three major components of the Capitol are the Assembly (Legislation), the Secretariat
(Administration) and the High Court (Judiciary). While the linear façade of the
Secretariat marks the edges of the Complex on the left side, the Assembly and the
High Court are placed on the opposite ends of the Cross axis, facing each other
across a 450 mtrs. Esplanade where a number of monuments symbolizing Le Corbusier's
theories of City planning have been placed. These include the Open Hand monument,
often called the B 'Monument of Chandigarh' conveying 'open to give, open to receive'.
These symbolic forms were designed by Corbusier as a means to punctuate the axis
of the Complex. Other monuments included the Martyrs Memorial- a tribute to the
martyrs of the Punjab partition and the Tower of Shadows - a demonstration of Corbusiers's
theories of sun control.
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Another important component of the Capitol, which is yet to be built, is the Museum
of Knowledge.
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The High Court building is L-shaped in plan with the long facade facing the capitol
plaza. The building has a rectilinear frame with eight nos. courtrooms located on
the main facade, separated from the larger 'Chief Justice' Court by a monumental,
pillared entrance, extending to the full height of the entrance. This massive entrance
bears a close resemblance to the Buland Darwaza of Fatehpur Sikri.
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The small Courts are 8x8x12 meters. The dimensions of the over all design were governed
by the Modular combined with triangular regulating lines.
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The design of the High Court is an embodiment of the climate responsive architecture
as conceived by Corbusier for the new city. It was planned that the design should
permit the government to function through out the year, furnishing protection from
the sun and monsoon rains. Accordingly, double roof was provided, the upper roof
placed over the lower roof was provided in the manner of a parasol, shading the
lower roof. The space between the two roofs is left open to enable air currents
to move. The parasol roof slopes towards the centre in the form of a row of arches.
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The High Court building, when completed in 1956 proved to be insufficient in space.
Therefore, an extension (annex) was proposed and completed in 1962 in which additional
courtroom spaces were provided, this is a brick structure consisting of a group
of blocks receding to the rear of the High Court block, neither asserting visually,
nor disrupting the existing Layout plan.
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The Secretariat building is a long, horizontal concrete slab form, 254 meters long
and 42 meters high, which marks the edge of the Capitol Complex on the left side.
The building is composed of six eight storeyed
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blocks separated by expansion joints and bears close resemblance to the Marseilles
apartment block, one of Corbusier's earlier projects. The facade of the building
gives a sculptural appearance with exposed concrete ramps, perforated with small
square windows dominating the front and rear views.
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The building facade is provided with projects for sun control. The Secretariat building
helps in defining space of the Capitol Complex. It emphasize a sense of hierarchy
of facades and by its sheer cliff like size and volume, completes the vista through
distant mountains, where eye is led onwards to the smalle3r, more significant buildings
and space beyond.
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The Assembly building, completed in 1962, was conceived as a horizontal rectilinear
structure square in plan with a monumental portico facing the main plaza. The two
legislative chambers were conceived as free standing, curvilinear forms enclosed
within a rectilinear shell, carrying on one side the entrance portico and on the
opposite side of band of offices. Sun protection louvers 'brise soleil' have been
provid4ed on lateral walls for protecting glazings against sun. The two legislative
chambers are surrounded by a space 'forum' which serves for circulation as well
as informal meetings.
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The most impressive part of the Assembly is the Assembly Chamber (Punjab Assembly),
which is crowned by a massive hyperbolic tower, extending above the roofline and
providing a sculptural & dramatic look against the backdrop of distant hills 128
ft. in diameter at the base the Assembly chamber rises to 124ft. at its highest
point. This building expresses the versatility and plasticity of concrete as a building
material. Similarly, the smaller Council Chamber (Haryana Assembly) conceived in
a rectilinear frame is crowned by a pyramidal roof, provided with a North light.
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Overall, the Assembly building with nits dramatic skyline is one of the most visually
appealing aspects of the Capitol Complex and is an attempt to give an architectural
setting of monumental dignity to the functions of the Government.
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