PROJECT BRIEF

Heritage and urban conservation project: Revitalisation of Senate House

Introduction Objective To impart and understanding of conservation and heritage through documenting case study evolving a framework and a specific design intervention. Definition To generate understanding of principles of conservation. To explore various strategies of conservation in the modern context. History of Senate House The Senate House ,within the Madras University campus at the junction of South Beach Road or Kamarajar Salai, and Wallajah Road , is British architect Robert Felloes Chrisholm at his very best. Similar to the Presidency College , the designs of this building were chosen through an open competition announced by the Madras Government tin 1864. Completed in 1879 at a cost of Rs.289,000, the Senate House was to serve as the examination hall and offices of the Madras University. However , only a few offices function current in the front of the building, the remaining portion left unused. Inspired by the Byzantine and built in Indo - Saracenic style , the Senate House is the ultimate manifestation of this style , comprised of a large two - floor high central hall , with double storeyed rooms and a stage at the northern and southern ends of the building. A cellar that corresponds to the length of the hall is used for storage . A huge wooden bifurcated staircase placed at the northern end of the wall leads dramatically to the upper floor at the end. The gigantic hall is 16m high , measuring approximately 50m by 15m , and has a capacity to seat 1600 people. Though laid out as a simple rectangle, a strong variation in form is achieved on the exterior by the sensitive placing of the four towers on simple square projections that fall behind each of the side entrance porches . The eyepiece of the entire composition , these towers are covered by pendentive bulbous domes that are highly articulated with intricate surface decoration. Both the semicircular stilted arched faces and the domes are covered with flowing geometrical patterns that only find an equivalent in those over the domes of Madras High Court. Tinier cupolas on octagonal drums pin the corners with a series of turrets lining the East and West sides. Moving down from an interesting skyline , the walls too are a myriad of details and a truly fine composition of light and shade. Impressive double - floor high verandahs fill the east and west faces of the building , catching the strong sun. These verandahs , lined by stone columns with sculpted capitals bearing human figures and Hindu icons , support large horseshoe arches trimmed in stone. The joinery is also in keeping with the grandeur of the scheme. The wall of the verandah facing the hall is broken by giant doors with huge clearstorey circular openings decorated by

ornate geometrical patterns of coloured glass. The result is a finely proportional mass with a highly fenestrated lower portion, terminated by vertical solid masses that soar skywards . Characteristic of Chrisholm , who was known for his zeal in experimentation , the roofs of this building are varied in construction . While the major portion of the building is covered with a Mangalore tile roof , the verandahs sport a masonry roof composed of small vaults laid perpendicular to its length . The roofs over the porches differ , some being fitted with shallow masonry domes and others containing Madras Terrace. The choice of materials is extremely fitting for a building of this scale . Sourced from the finest brick factory of the time , the Commonwealth Brickworks in Kerala, large surfaces of excellent exposed brickwork are offset by portions of stone and painted plaster surfaces with a tall screen of painted wooden fenestrations fitted with coloured glass as a backdrop. The interior is no less vibrant. Soft lime-plastered walls crowned by a false ceiling of painted canvas panels and supplemented by the colour in the windows rests on a warm wooden floor. A painted pattern , similar to that on the arched faces the tower , occupies the southern wall that fronts the stage. Sadly , this building has reached an appalling state due to indifference and neglect. The interest evinced by the University to take over the building through an elaborate course of conservation has , unfortunately , never materialized to this day. Source: Chennai Heritage Kalpana and Frank Schifer (INTAC) Drawings redrawn based photographs and INTAC documentation. Project Brief It is proposed to generate a project to revitalize the Senate House after the building was conserved by INTAC. The Studio would have to: 1. Propose a precinct landscape plan around the building; 2. Schematic documentation of a heritage building and case studies; 3. Propose and design activities to revitalize the Senate House building respecting its spirit, ensuring year round activity. Examples music gatherings, lectures, moving exhibitions, permanent exhibition etc; 4. In the adjacent area to evolve a programe for a history, culture and arts centre. The new building proposed would need to derive from the design concept of the Senate House. Schedule 25 Jan-2 Feb 8 Feb 9 Feb 15 Feb 16 Feb 8 March 22 March 5 April 19 April

Discussion of case studies Case Study Report Submission Intro to problem and site analysis Redevelopment of Madras University Senate House Case Study Report Submission Site analysis submission and program concept Preliminary design and concept submission First detailed preview submission Second detailed preview submission Final design submission; Model and 3D rendering

3 May

External review