The building of institutional
architecture has long been obsession of state since independence and the legacy
continues till date. Since then we have
witnessed the architecture that are abstemiously struggling to bring about pan-Indian
architecture of earlier phase to contemporary global architecture in recent
times. The architecture that oscillated from decadence of Indian architectural
wisdom to eclecticism of formal annexation in recent times, and both tendencies
depict the enthusiasm to embrace the architecture that is contemporary enough,
yet has embededness. The degree of experiments are perhaps have similar intensity
as well as both the virtues brings about similar paradox, i:e how the idea of
intellectual modernity challenging every day, “the rootedness social conditions”
making conflicting reality to be perceived as being progressive at the same
time vehemently bringing out the experiences away from colonial production.
The recently designed and
constructed institute building for SPA Vijayawada demonstrates, on one side the
similar conditions and traits that are historically developed yet moves away
from genesis of architectural vocabulary that has been seen as forced template
of post-independence architecture for the state. The architecture of the
building has Corbusien idioms in many ways, yet explores it formal interpretation
by re-reading/organizing the program. The four layers that are stacked with
impounded formal implosion, exploring architecture of non-program, embodying
the experiential dimensions that are often missing in the contemporary
institutional architecture. The architecture of the building also depicts some
of those brutal tendencies, clearly reflecting the formative circumstances of
post-independence experiments with the institutions.
The architecture of the SPA’s
definitely opens up the discourse on renewed ethics on cherished functionalist
notion on one side while challenging the doctrine that comes as pre-determined
aesthetics of global architecture. The buildings also bring the subtle
transition of modern ethos of earlier first generation experiments by third generation of
architects.
The building is still in its formative
years in terms of its use and yet to be seen the role of such spaces, web
of program and non program in coming years which are apparently adding the
value to the architecture.
Photo Credit: Manoj Parmar Architects
