THE TRIBAL FORT

Project Details

THEME : museum

CATEGORY: 1st Prize

COLLABORATOR: gujarat government

DATE: 2018

This project stems from an Open Call organized by the Gujarat Government Department. The primary aim was to establish a museum along the Narmada Canal, commemorating the Indian Freedom Fighters' resistance against British colonial rule.

The future museum will include details of the life of these unknown heroes, allowing visitors to become part of the history of the country.

The chosen site lies amidst rolling hills, adjacent to the Narmada Canal, and near the Statue of Unity honoring Sardar Patel. This location, situated in the southern region of Gujarat, offers a unique setting. The upcoming museum will stand out in the landscape, providing visitors with an elevated view to appreciate the surroundings.  A new place not only for cultural tourism but also a great geographical enclave.


PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The architectural design of the museum harmoniously embraces the undulating contours of the hilly terrain, seamlessly intertwining with the natural topography. This integration is not just visual, but also functional, as the museum's layout creatively responds to the site's characteristics. The structure thoughtfully encircles the site's highest point, curating a verdant garden that serves as a captivating green space.

Embracing the concept of multipurpose architecture, the museum orchestrates a dance between the built environment and the encompassing landscape. It deftly conceals and reveals, orchestrating a choreography where the land's contours and the core programmatic spaces interplay. These spatial dialogues are heightened through strategic courtyards that embrace nature's essence while ushering controlled daylight into the interior spaces.

Inside the conical galleries, a symbiotic relationship with the landscape is cultivated. Veiled by a bamboo screen, the galleries gracefully unveil the exterior panorama. These conical forms, reminiscent of traditional bamboo baskets, echo an indigenous resonance and foster an engagement with cultural heritage. This mindful architectural language transforms the galleries into immersive experiences, allowing visitors to delve into the essence of the place.

Underpinning the structural integrity of the conical galleries is a network of circular steel sections, bolstered by circular rings positioned at intervals in the horizontal plane. These steel bones are then clothed in dry walls that artfully cloak their strength. On the exterior, a layer of treated bamboo, sourced from the neighboring tribal region, dons the cone. This bamboo facade doubles as a clever array of louvers, strategically filtering sunlight while maintaining a visual connection to the surroundings.

The retaining walls that frame the courtyards and the elevated promenade above draw inspiration from the indigenous tribal architecture. Constructed using local stone, these walls carry a sense of raw authenticity. Their gently undulating summits pay homage to the imperfections that render tribal architecture uniquely captivating. Complementing this textured tapestry, the museum's walls juxtapose exposed local stone with brick, seamlessly rendered in earthen color tones.

As if wielding a palette, this project thoughtfully composes the cultural narrative of a traditional Indian village. Every material choice, every form, is a brushstroke that paints a picture resonating with the region's heritage. The museum becomes more than a repository of history; it is a living testament to the ingenuity of design that dialogues with its surroundings, paying homage to the past while embracing the future.


INFOGRAPHICS OF SPACES