Event: Delhi – Chandigarh Study Tour.
Academic Year/ Semester: Semester 5, 7 (2022-23)
Venue: Delhi & Chandigarh
Participated by: Students of third and fourth year
Objectives: The objective of the tour was to enable students to see and appreciate the architectural worth of buildings in and around Delhi and Chandigarh like India gate, ICC, Indian Habitat Centre, Indian International Museum, Capitol Complex, Le Corbusier Centre, Punjab university, Gandhi Bhawan, etc.
The tour was also intended to expose students to the modern planning principles adopted in the city of Chandigarh while giving them ample opportunity to study and analyse the works in terms of the elements and principles of design, types of spatial organizations and construction techniques adopted as learnt in the subjects of Architectural Design, History of Architecture, Building Construction and Materials, etc.
Brief of the event:
Day 01 (31/08/2022):
Students from VCAAD explored Delhi and Chandigarh as part of their educational tour from Oct 31 to Nov 7, 2023, accompanied by faculty members Prof. Viji Nair and Prof. Nikita Dabholkar. Students visited a variety of historical and modern monuments, urban precincts and buildings like museums, temple, gardens, university etc. and explored the architectural and heritage value of the city of Delhi and Chandigarh.
The expedition commenced on 31st October, 2022, starting from Bandra Terminus, Mumbai. The destination was Delhi. The students were required to gather at 11:00 a.m. to board the Bandra Terminus – Delhi Sarai Rohilla Garib Rath Express, scheduled for departure at 12:00 PM
Day 02 (1/09/2022):
The study tour started with a visit to the Indian Habitat Centre a contemporary masterpiece envisioned by Joseph Allen Stein. Completed in 1993, its architectural ethos champions open spaces, interconnecting structures, and a seamless fusion of modernist and traditional elements.
This was followed by a visit to the Alliance Française a testament to architectural finesse and cross-cultural dialogue, meticulously crafted by Joseph Allen Stein in 1961. Here, students witnessed first-hand the Alliance Française’s historical role as a catalyst for Indo-French cultural relations, fostering artistic collaborations and serving as a dynamic arena for intellectual discourse.
Later we visited the India International Centre, an exquisite gem in the urban fabric masterfully designed by Joseph Allen Stein and inaugurated in 1962. This cultural nexus seamlessly integrates modernist and traditional Indian architectural elements, adorned with courtyards, arches, and verdant landscapes.
The day ended with a visit to the Akshardham Temple it is a stunning example of traditional Indian architecture. Completed in 2005, its intricate carvings and grandeur showcase the expertise of artisans. Inspired by ancient Vedic traditions, the temple stands as a spiritual haven.
Day 03 (02 November 2022):
Students visited the India Gate, an iconic monument in New Delhi, stands as a symbol of valour and sacrifice. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931, it commemorates Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. The majestic arch, inspired by the Arc de Triomphe, is a blend of British and Indian architectural styles. Surrounded by lush lawns, it serves as a solemn reminder of India’s rich history and the sacrifices made for freedom.
from the Lahore Museum during the partition of India. The Architecture Museum located across from the Art Gallery within the complex was set up in 1997. It documents, preserves, and showcases rare documents, drawings, sketches, and archives about the making of the city of Chandigarh. Many drawings, sketches, and other works of Maciej Nowicki, Albert Mayer, Le Corbusier, Jane Drew, Maxwell Fry and Pierre Jeanneret relating to the city of Chandigarh are preserved and displayed here.
Later we visited Le Corbusier Centre is a museum dedicated to the life and works of Le Corbusier, the legendary Swiss-French architect who designed the city of Chandigarh. This was one of the first buildings to have been constructed in Chandigarh.
Then in the afternoon we had our lunch. At 4pm we visited The Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a sculpture garden for rock enthusiasts in Chandigarh, India. It is also known as Nek Chand Saini’s Rock Garden of Nathupur after its founder Nek Chand Saini, a government official who started building the garden secretly in his spare time in 1957.
Following Rock garden we visited Sukhna lake at 6pm. A city is well known for its landmarks. Chandigarh has its prominent landmark, namely, Sukhna Lake. The place provides an escape from the busy city life, increasing pollution and getting some fresh air. There is nothing more serene than elegant green surrounding with a cold breeze soothing your body. Till 8.30 we reached the hotel and here our fourth day of the tour came to an end
Day 05 (04 November 2022):
On the next day, i.e. the 5th day we visited Punjab university of Chandigarh. In Chandigarh, the newly built capital of Punjab, a beautiful red sandstone campus was designed for the Panjab University by Pierre Jeanneret under the general guidance of Le Corbusier. Panjab University moved here during 1958-1960. The university has a segregated planning. It consists of academic block, library, students block, etc. Each building designed with climate considerations and each building had its own character.
Later we visited Capitol Complex of Chandigarh It comprises three buildings: the Palace of Assembly or Legislative Assembly, Secretariat Building and the High Court plus four monuments (Open Hand Monument, Geometric Hill, Tower of Shadows, and the Martyrs Monument) and a lake. The buildings are designed by understanding the climate of Chandigarh and the landscape designed by considering the function of each building and its relation with each other. Here also had the Open hand monument which is the symbol of Chandigarh designed by Le Corbusier, it conveys the very intend of Chandigarh city the reason it was made , the open hand means “ready to give and take” as the city has been a shelter for so many partition uprooted people
At 3 pm we had lunch in the hotel checked out of hotel to visit the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, is a botanical garden in Chandigarh, India and spread over 30 acres of land, with 50,000 rose-bushes of 1600 different species. Named after India’s former president, Zakir Husain and created in 1967 under the guidance of Mohinder Singh Randhawa, Chandigarh’s first chief commissioner, the garden has the distinction of being Asia’s largest.
Later we went to sector 17 and 22 for shopping and exploring the streets of Chandigarh and here we also had the local food of Chandigarh for dinner.
At 10.30pm we departed from sector 22 towards railway station for boarding our train way to Panvel. We reached station at 11pm and then we boarded the 12450 Goa Sampark Kranti express Train.
Day 06 (6 November 2022):
We spent our day in the train having fun together. No one was tired as we had made some life time memories. At 12.15am in the night we reached at the Panvel station and departed towards our homes.
This tour enriched students’ architectural education by exposing them to diverse architectural styles, cultural heritage, and the harmonious blend of tradition and modernity in Delhi.