project # 12

TITLE: JAWAHAR KALA KENDRA
ARCHITECT: CHARLES CORREA
LOCATION: JAIPUR

Located in the pink city of Jaipur, Jawahar Kala Kendra is a hub for cultural activities of the city. Completed in the year 1992, and initiated by state government, Jawahar Kala Kendra was built exclusively with the view to retain and revive Rajasthan’s rich folk culture. The plan of the institution, which is inspired by the original city plan of Jaipur, comprises of nine squares with central square left open. The original plan of the Jaipur city drawn up by Maharaja Jai Singh, himself a scholar, is also divided in nine parts, out of which one square gets displaced to accommodate nearby hill and the two central squares get united to form the city palace. At Jawahar Kala Kendra the city plan is recalled by rotating and displacing one of the squares which also creates an entrance space.

plan-JKK..........................................plan of jaipur city with nine square diagram....


entrance & library block...............................................................................

central square at JKK.........................................city palace jaipur.................

open staircase & terraces at JKK................jantar mantar observatory at jaipur.....

The institution facilitates a house of museum that portrays art pieces from Rajasthani folk culture, a house of theatre, a library, an arts gallery that displays arts and crafts created by well known artists, Studio space that exhibits paintings and sculptures, accommodation facilities and a cafeteria. Each of these parts occupies one square and thus the program of the institution gets divided in eight squares with a void at the centre. The individual squares are defined by 8 meter high walls and each square has its own character, its own built to open space ratio, reflecting its program. The overall built form and the language of the place draws many references from the traditional architecture of Jaipur, such as the city palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory built by Raja Jai sing.

Reference:

1. Khan, Hasan-Uddin, ed. 1987. Charles Correa: Architect in India. London: Butterworth Architecture

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