crystalline design for the springdale ... newletter june...an architectural marvel by vijayanagar...

2 Volume 12 June 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTSNEW THEORIES IN ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA 4Ar.INDIRA KOLLI M.Arch Principal

ANCIENT INDIAN TEMPLES IS A LIVING LIBRARY 5“Religious structures exhibits science” Ar.S.CHINNADURAI M.Arch Head of the Department

THEORETICAL INTENTIONS IN DESIGN CONCEPT 6Ar.R. Reghu, M. Arch Assistant Professor

CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA 7Ar. RAGHAVENDRAN M, M.ARCH Assistant Professor

PRINCIPLE OF ARCHITECTURE 8Symmetry – in Site level, in Building level, in Detail level Ar.N.NISHYA M.Arch Assistant Professor GLASS FIBRE REINFORCED GYPSUM (GFRG) BUILDING PANEL 10Er.C. Jenil Kumar, Assistant professor

TWIN PASSENGER LIFT 12Er.Z.Jenner M.E Assistant Professor

RAIN WATER HARVESTING METHODS 13Ar.Priyadarshini M.Arch Assistant Professor

THERMAL INSULATION IN BUILDINGS 14E.M. Jerin Shibu M.E Assistant Professor

APPLICATION OF STATISTICS 15Ms.R.MARIA ANUSHIYA M.Sc Assistant Professor

ÖHRINGEN PETTING ZOO,GERMANY 16Ar.K.KEERTHANA B.Arch Assistant Professor

STOCHASTIC MODELLING FOR URBAN DESIGN (I) 17Mr.P.S.STEM EDILBER M.Sc,M.Phil Assistant Professor


THE TUDOR REVIVAL STYLE 18Ar.T.JOSEPHINE SABEENA B.Arch Assistant Professor

A PROPOSAL FOR CREATIVE CO-WORKING AND CO-LIVING IN KYIV WINS THE 2020 CANACTIONS YOUTH COMPETITION 19Ar.T.DINESH PANDIAN M.Arch Assistant Professor

CRYSTALLINE DESIGN FOR THE SPRINGDALE VETERAN MEMORIAL 20Ar.K.ASWIN PRAKESH M.Arch Assistant Professor

ARCHITECTURAL JOURNALISM – ASPECT FOR REALIZING BUILDINGS 21Ar.G.Gnana Shini B.Arch Assistant Professor

SELF-HEALING CONCRETE 22

CHENNAI - A STYLE BEYOND TIMES. 23


NEW THEORIES IN ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA

Ar.INDIRA KOLLI M.ArchPrincipal


ANCIENT INDIAN TEMPLES IS A LIVING LIBRARY “Religious structures exhibits science”

Ar.S.CHINNADURAI M.ArchHead of the Department

Ancient India temples are not only place for religious purpose alone and also its being astrological observatory, positive energy stimulating spaces etc. The best example of this vittala temple at hampi. An Architectural marvel by vijayanagar kingdom, The Vittala Temple or Vitthala Temple in Hampi is an ancient monument that is well-known for its exceptional architecture and unmatched craftsmanship. It is considered to be one of the largest and the most famous structure in Hampi. The temple is located in the north eastern part of Hampi, near the banks of the Tungabhadra River.

The iconic temple has amazing stone structures such as the incomparable stone chariot and the fascinating musical pillars. The Vittala Temple is presumed to be the grandest of all temples and monuments in Hampi. The temple exemplifies the immense creativity and architectural excellence possessed by the sculptors and artisans of the Vijayanagara era. The painting explains the solar and lunar eclipses in detailed before 1000 back itself. Beautiful acoustical detailing and orientation of spaces according the context.

The Vittala temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture. It has traits and features that are characteristic of typical south Indian temple architecture. It’s elaborate and artistic carvings and magnificent architecture is unmatched by any other structure found in Hampi.


THEORETICAL INTENTIONS IN DESIGN CONCEPT

Ar.R. Reghu, M. ArchAssistant Professor

Introduction

This chapter explains the theoretical intentions behind the design concept. The concept statement is a rationalization for the design decisions that have been made and is portrayed in following chapters. The theoretical examples inspiration the concept of a ‘gallery in flux’. The design informants provide a summary of theoretical aspects addressed in previous chapters and clarifyhow the theory informs the design.

Theoretical Intention

The platform of the involvement is a new settlement gallery for the current Ditsong: National Museum of Cultural History.On a practical level the satellite gallery provides supplementary demonstration spaces for the Ditsong: National Museum of Traditional Antiquity. This generates additional space in which to exhibition things deposited in the present museum. The satellite museum is part of a advertising methodology of the Ditsong: National Museum of Traditional Antiquity to create experience for the museum.

Based on investigation, the theoretical intention of the design involvement is the following:

1. To experiment present and out-of-date opinions about galleries and fair spaces and to create a modern museum involvement that fits into the situation of Pretoria.

2. The exposition examines how the gallery can be recognized in the community realm and become part of daily routine.

3. To expose inhabitants of Pretoria to culture as a social practice (as defined in Chapter 3) by displaying everyday cultural artifacts.

Concept Statement

The theoretical method to the project intervention is to generate a museum in flux. This means that the gallery involvement is frequently varying. This concept can be applied in the functioning of the gallery with changing displays.

A modern gallery information opposes the knowledge of a gallery being built and describing the same communication for a hundred ages to come. A modern gallery should be continually mutable; increas-ing or decrease conferring to the requirements of the visitors or the types of presentations on display. A modern gallery should make the documentation among demonstrated matters and the structure that purposes as a ‘breathing museum’ potential.

The planned gallery spaces should be able to accommodate fluctuating demonstrations as calculated by curators. The intervention should make provision for alteration and variations.


CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA

Ar. RAGHAVENDRAN M, M.ARCHAssistant Professor

Contemporary architecture is becoming more prominent across the country, from the larger, urban cities to smaller, rural areas. The changing culture of architecture in modern India, both as a lifestyle and as a profession, has been eye-opening. In terms of lifestyle, we never predicted the extent to which architecture and design could affect us as well as the society and culture we live in, nor did we predict how deeply symbolic of our beliefs and attitudes they’d become. As a profession, the huge wave of development and technology that caused us to try and ape everything that didn’t belong to us, has made us question and search for our own identity and provoked us to revisit the solid traditional roots and foundation of Indian architecture. Glass, steel and aluminium might remain as ‘fashionable’ materials, but there has been a shift in sensibilities with the revival of Indian crafts and the use of natural and alternative materials such as brick, mud, clay, bamboo, wood, stone, etc. The importance of context, sustainability, nature, and creating an architecture that is true to our culture and cultivates an ‘Indian identity’ has gained much credence. Today, a lot of younger contemporary practices in India have joined them, such as Sanjay Puri Architects, Mathew & Ghosh Architects, RAT lab, Cadence, Studio Symbiosis, Morphogenesis who are making waves overseas for their futuristic thinking that rests on a traditional ethos and the core tenets of a contextual, responsible and resourceful architecture.


PRINCIPLE OF ARCHITECTURESYMMETRY – IN SITE LEVEL, IN BUILDING LEVEL, IN DETAIL LEVEL

Ar.N.NISHYA M.ArchAssistant Professor

Symmetry is termed as the balanced distribution and arrangement of forms and spaces on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane, or about a centre or axis.

Two types of fundamental symmetries are Bilateral Symmetry and Radial Symmetry. Symmetry Bilateral Symmetry Radial Symmetry

Arrangement of elements towards opposite side of an axis.

Balanced arrangement of elements along axis, The elements can be divid-ed into similar halves by passing axis line any angle

SYMMETRY SITE LEVEL EXAMPLEPalace of the Soviets by Le Corbusier.

In this building Main Auditorium, Open Air Platform and small Auditorium all arranged in Bilateral symmetry in site.

SYMMETRY BUILDING LEVEL EXAMPLEGreat Stupa at Sanchi.Radial symmetry in plan, Bilateral symmetry in Elevation.


SYMMETRY DETAIL LEVEL EXAMPLEFrank Lloyd Wright Studio

This house elevation shows symmetry.


GLASS FIBRE REINFORCED GYPSUM (GFRG) BUILDING PANEL

Er.C. Jenil Kumar, Assistant professor

SCOPE

This document forms the merchandise specification for manufactured GFRG panels designed to be used within the housing industry for walling, ceilings, suspended floor formwork and partitions. The specified technical and mechanical property requirements ask the finished product, that is, the ultimate manufactured GFRG panel dried and prepared for installation. Specified is also the standard control procedure and therefore the associated mechanical tests necessary to make sure a suitable quality of the finished GFRG panel product.

APPLICATION

This specification is meant to be used by licensed manufacturers of GFRG to make sure a consistent , quality controlled global product suitable for its intended purpose. The details of this document also assists the top users, like engineers, architects and builders, both in their designs using GFRG and in specifying the physical properties of the GFRG panel in their contract documents.

DEFINITIONS

For the aim of this specification the subsequent definitions apply: -

Standard GFRG Panel

GFRG panel may be a factory manufactured walling product utilized in the development industry to supply habitable enclosures for residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The 124mm thick hollow-core panels are machine-made using formulated gypsum-plaster reinforced with chopped glass-fibre. A typical cross section and isotropic view of the paneling is shown in Fig.1.

(a) cross section


(b) Isotropic view Fig.1 Standard GFRG Panel

Water Resistant GFRG Panel

Water resistant GFRG panels are an equivalent as ordinary GFRG panels in appearance. However the ingredients of the waterproof GFRG are modified specifically to supply water resistance when used externally or in wet areas like bathrooms or laundries, etc.

External Skin The two 13mm thick faces making up the panel are collectively defined as external skins as shown in Fig.1.

Internal Rib The 20mm thick ribs inside the panel connecting the 2 external skins are called internal ribs as shown in Fig.1

Cavity The internal hollow cores inside the panel are called the cavity as shown in Fig.1.

Panel Length The panel length is that the maximum horizontal dimension of one wall without vertical joint as indicated in Fig.1.

Panel Thickness The panel thickness is that the distance between the external faces of the 2 external skins, as shown in Fig.1.

Panel Height The panel height is that the maximum vertical dimension of one wall without a horizontal joint.

A and B Side The smoother side of the GFRG panel cast against the machine bed within the manufacturing process is named the A side. The B side is screeded and is comparatively rougher than A side.


TWIN PASSENGER LIFT

Er.Z.Jenner M.EAssistant Professor

Traditional elevator systems requires single shafts for each elevator cars, which increases building spaces and materials used for construction. TWIN passenger lift consists of two independent cars, one on top of the other, in one shaft saving much of the building’s space. Due to the fact that the two cars operate independently in the same shaft, TWIN lift is able to take two passengers to two different floors at the same time. With TWIN lift, both cabins use the same guide rails and landing doors. Each car is equipped with its own traction drive, controller, ropes, counterweight, and governor. An intel-ligent Destination Selection Control (DSC) system gets people to their destination faster by grouping together individuals traveling to the same floor. The framework keeps a protected separation between the two lifts that are running on the head of one another. The TWIN framework fundamentally cuts the number of shafts required by 33%, contrasted with ordinary lifts. The TWIN framework reduces required structure materials for shafts, furthermore, consequently diminishes costs.


RAIN WATER HARVESTING METHODS

Ar.Priyadarshini M.ArchAssistant Professor

Broadly there are two ways of harvesting rainwater 1. Surface runoff harvesting 2. Roof top rainwater harvesting

So rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater for reuse on-site, rather than allowing it to run off. This stored water is used for various purposes such as irrigation and gardening.

1. Surface runoff harvesting In urban area, the rainwater flows away as surface runoff. This rainwater runoff could be caught and by adopting appropriate methods used for recharging aquifers.

2. Rooftop rainwater harvesting It is a system of catching rainwater where it falls. In this harvesting systems, the roof becomes the catchments, and the rainwater is collected from the roof of the house/building. This collected water can either be stored in a rainwater storage tank or diverted to artificial recharge system. Rooftop rainwater harvesting is less expensive and largely effective and with proper implementation helps in augmenting the groundwater level of that particular area.

It is important to take care, that these techniques are not adopted in areas where chemicals and other pollutants can largely destroy ground water- industrial areas, chemical warehouses, petrol bunks, garages and mechanic sheds. In these areas, additional and extremely strong cautionary measures have to be put in place before water penetrates into the ground.

Sloping Roofs Roofs made of asbestos sheet, corrugated iron sheet, or tiles are utilised for harvesting the rainwater. Channels and gutters are fixed on the edges of roof all around to collect and transport the rain water from the roof to the rainwater storage tank. Locally available material such as Galvanized Iron sheets can be easily folded to required shapes to prepare semi-circular and rectangular gutters. Use of such locally available materials reduce the overall cost of the system.


THERMAL INSULATION IN BUILDINGS

Er.E.M. Jerin Shibu M.EAssistant Professor

Thermal Insulation is the reduction of heat transfer (the transfer of energy between objects of differing temperature).Thermal insulation in building is the retention of heat within the building irrespective of the outside temperature. Thermal insulation materials used to reduce the rate of heat transfer.

Fibrous materials are generally good insulators. Heat flows from higher level to lover level, therefore in building also heat flows from hotter area to cooler area. Heat flows as per the capacity of the building materials or units like floors, walls, roofs, doors, windows. In summer the heat transfer from the outside to inside and in winter the process is reversed.

Methods of a heat Insulation in BuildingsThe heat in a building structure is mainly transmitted through the roofs, exposed walls and exposed wall openings, such as windows, doors, ventilators, etc. The methods of heat insulation usually adopted are as follows:

1. Methods of heat insulation for roofs2. Methods of heat insulation for exposed walls3. Methods of insulation for exposed windows, doors & ventilators etc.


APPLICATION OF STATISTICS

Ms.R.MARIA ANUSHIYA M.ScAssistant Professor

Statistics is a branch of applied mathematics concerned with organizing and interpreting data. It is a mathematical study of the likelihood and probability of events occurring based on known quantitative data or a collection of data. The data are represented by means of graphs. Statistics use three means of comparison through the data mean , median and mode. In normal distribution mean, median and mode are equal.

Mean: The median of a set of data values is the middle value of

Application:1. It is used to contrast the salaries of the workers2. It is used by the government to find the income or expenses of any person3. It helps teachers to see the average marks of the students

Median: The median of a set of data values is the middle value of the data set when it has been arranged in ascending order.

Application:1. It is used to find the poverty line2. Although this is attached to both the science and medical field success in psychology would

impossible without the systematic study of human behavior, often analyzing results statistically.3. It is used to measure the distribution of the earnings

Mode: Mode is the value of the variable having maximum frequency.

The relation between mean, median and mode is Mode = 3 median – 2 mean


ÖHRINGEN PETTING ZOO,GERMANY

Ar.K.KEERTHANA B.ArchAssistant Professor

The ensemble’s formal shape interacts strongly and firmly with its particular use also like its urban context. The exposed site, which is situated in the southern portion of the “Schlossgarten” and in the immediate vicinity of the pond, allows the two volumes of the buildings in combination with the fence to be conveyed easily. Also multiple views from all directions are offered to people walking by and in especially to the small visitors to the collection .

In this manner, the three elements emerge considerably as an entire , yet still appear subdivided and delicate within the natural surroundings. In addition, the lamellar-like facade of the aviary and stable reinforces this vivid effect and lends a second level of complexity and depth to the ensemble. Further-more, the appealing nature of the buildings is adjusted to the attention level of youngsters and will function an inviting place to go to and spend time.

The site was developed as part of the 2016 State Horticulture Show (Landesgartenschau 2016) and replaces the aging animal enclosure within the “Schlossgarten”. The construction and orientation of the buildings, however, are particularly designed for the time following the State Horticulture Show. In coordination with the veterinary office, much attention was paid towards keeping the varied animals (alpacas, cangarus) in an environment as natural as possible.

The usage of larch wood is one outcome of the close cooperation with the veterinaries overthere. Moreover, the wood isn’t only resistend and thus sustainible, but more importantly, it doesn’t got to be treated. As a result, there’s no danger of inadvertently poisoning the animals. To ensure that the animal enclosure continues its longstanding tradition within the Schlossgarten, all timber joints are sturdily and replacably constructed.


STOCHASTIC MODELLING FOR URBAN DESIGN (I)

Mr.P.S.STEM EDILBER M.Sc,M.PhilAssistant Professor

What are the workings of cities and regions, and how will they evolve over time.Over half of the world’s population live in a city. We should be interested in: What is happening in the city; How the city is evolving; and How can we enable a better quality of life. Applications, planning, policy and decision making (e.g. retail, health, crime, education, transport etc.). Requires an understanding of the underlying mechanisms and behaviours. On going task of matching socio-economic theories with empirical evidence. Improving insights into urban and regional systems with the development of data-driven mathematical models. Mathematical models can represent socio-economic theories. Can help explain the behaviour of complex systems. Simulations may provide insights: `Flight simulators’ for urban and regional planners. ̀ What if’ forecasting capabilities. How does the system respond to change/initiatives? Which Parameters/mechanisms are most important? What is the long term behaviour? Mathematical modelling long history (> 50 years) in urban and regional analysis Equilibrium values and dynamics of attractiveness terms in production-constrained spatial-interaction models.

Mathematics and statistics offers

Mathematical models can represent socio-economic theories. Can help explain the behaviour of complex systems. Simulations may provide insights: `Flight simulators’ for urban and regional planners. `What if’ forecasting capabilities. How does the system respond to change/initiatives?

Which parameters/mechanisms are most important? What is the long term behaviour? Mathematical modelling long history (> 50 years) in urban and regional analysis Equilibrium values and dynamics of attractiveness terms in production-constrained spatial-interaction models (Harris and A. Wilson, 1978).

Data Driven Methodology

Data sets are becoming routinely available: · Social media · Location tracking · Travel ticketing · Census data · Ad-hoc reports etc.

The range of statistical models available is arguably somewhat limited. Ignoring either data or mathematical models seems unwise. A structured approach that’s consistent with the available data is desirable. Build upon well-established mathematical formalisms with this new found data (rather than throwing the baby out with the bath water).


THE TUDOR REVIVAL STYLE

Ar.T.JOSEPHINE SABEENA B.ArchAssistant Professor

The revival of late- and post-medieval architecture started with designer William Morris and architect Richard Norman Shaw in England during the 19th century. The American Tudor Revival became an Anglophile phenomenon in the suburbs of the 1920s and later. The term Stockbroker Tudor is a pointed reference to bourgeois houses built by conservative new mane American Tudor Revival is among the most recognizable styles of domestic architecture. These picturesque houses, usually of brick or stone, fill entire suburban neighborhoods.

Construction was uncomplicated: stucco or brick veneer a new technology covered an affordable wood frame. Builders freely mixed late-medieval details derived from thatched cottages and stone manors. (Though “Tudor” covers most English Revival houses of the 20th century, subsets include the Cotswold cottage and the Elizabethan town house.) Unlike the “Jacobethan” style favored by architects between 1895 and 1915, postwar examples were informal and even storybook, though landmark examples continued to be built into the 1930s. The style was out of fashion by 1945.


A PROPOSAL FOR CREATIVE CO-WORKING AND CO-LIVING IN KYIV WINS THE 2020 CANACTIONS YOUTH COMPETITION

Ar.T.DINESH PANDIAN M.ArchAssistant Professor

The CANactions youth competition was launched in 2009 by the Dessau Institute of Architecture (DIA / Germany) and CANactions School. The competition has become knowledgeable “path to Europe” for Ukrainian students and young professionals. Since that point quite 1000 projects are received, among which 118 finalist projects are selected by members of the international jury. The Youth Competition may be a two-stage open one that has no restrictions within the number of participants and is aimed toward young Ukrainian architects under the age of 35. This year winner was Mariia Semibratova with an urban proposal for creative co-working and co-living in Podil area, Kyiv.

Located in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, Podil area may be a documented cultural district, combining the openness of public buildings, theatres and galleries with the closeness of housing blocks and former industrial site. the thought is to specialise in one among this industrial areas which features a crucial advantage of being situated on the river side but appears to be closed and cut from pedestrians. The aim of the planning is to seek out ways to integrate this neighbourhood into the energetic city life again.

The urban phase of the project illustrates the event of a technique for “restarting” the place, opening it for pedestrians, giving the access to the riverside, creating new opportunities for work, affordable living, leisure, communication and sports, leading to a mixed use area on the Dnipro river living 24/7.


CRYSTALLINE DESIGN FOR THE SPRINGDALE VETERAN MEMORIAL

Ar.K.ASWIN PRAKESH M.ArchAssistant Professor

A team of Drury University faculty have created a crystalline design for the Springdale Veteran Me-morial Competition. Sited in Arkansas, the proposal was made by Sara Khorshidifard, Payman Sade-ghi and Karen Spence. Using the crystal metaphor and drawing inspiration from its shape, formation, and built tactility, the concept is made to capitalize on the Diamond State’s history and topology.

As the team states, the competition entry strives to create spaces and experiences that, like stages of crystallization, “manifest intermediary qualities, seizing manifold realities, variant emotions, and even contraries.” Looking at in-between spaces, the project is a play in opacity and symbolism. “Like human life, crystals hold many facets, substances shaping from uncertainty and hesitation of liquid crystal, hardening with strength and determination of solid gem.” The monument and memorial site are directly driven by the physiographic of the place, stemming from the regional prevalence of crystals due to synergies between thermal waters and magnetic lodestone.

“The Arkansas Plateau’s unique geography offers inimitable ecologies and geologies that form gemstone deposits, precious diamonds, turquoises, and quartz crystals. Site design assemblies also use conceptual shaping forces that reflect abstract dimensions in an act of crystallization, generating a continuous landscape of plentiful thresholds and sophisticated strata.” The new memorial proposal was made to resemble a folded-out crystalline structure with triangulating plains carved and tacked with/in rhizomatic connections.

The memorial landscape concept was envisioned with three united parts: a linear elevated platform (Scar), a triangulated open field (Stitch), and a healing garden (Settle).


ARCHITECTURAL JOURNALISM – ASPECT FOR REALIZING BUILDINGS

Ar.G.Gnana Shini B.ArchAssistant Professor

Every emotion indeed needs to be communicated. This can be done through action or by words that should evoke the emotions of the reader. Architecture is a discipline that demands communication through which we realize buildings. In fact, words play an important role that draws the attention of the reader and evokes one’s inner emotions by understanding the architectural masterpieces, its concepts, services that the architect tends to communicate.

This is not a profession of mere documentation of the projects but it is about the objectives and style of the built form or any kind. This is something that goes in hand with various architectural services. Architectural journalism is a career that requires lots of understanding about the field, its various approaches, concepts which in turn which are necessary for the writer to convey the right emotions to the reader.

It is one of the important and also an emerging profession because of its novelty in expressing a design from an architect’s point of view that also should reach and understand the reader in ease.

India definitely is a step back in exploring this profession which should be encouraged by colleges and also add a subject into the curriculum and encourage the students to write while experiencing. It is not important to use stylish words in the writing rather it does to give a magical experience in the reader which has to that when they visit that marvel.

An architectural journalist is someone who can bring you the experience of an architectural masterpiece, while you at your coziest living room, being in your leisure and making that smallest effort to get into the realm of architecture, going on to discover the paths while unveiling the beauty of architecture speaking about volumes and art pieces.


SELF-HEALING CONCRETE

In ancient time, non-hardening cement is wide employed in construction that’s why the structures have remained sturdy for an extended time even supposing they need less maintenance. The self-healing construct is developed and enforced by Ancient Romans, and also the live example of their design is Pantheon. Autonomous healing fills cracks through non-hydrated cement particles, that could be a action of repairing cracks which will occur within the presence of wetness or water. In contemporary constructions, usage of non-hardening cement is a smaller amount and consequently natural or autonomous healing impact is diminished.

Nowadays, the final word goal is to develop a technology which will turn out a property and eco-friendly structure with a lot of endurance. however thanks to unskilled labour and fast process of construction, most of the structures ar liable to cracking. As time goes on, water seeps into the walls and degrades the concrete and corrodes the steel reinforcement that decreases the age of the concrete and mortar state. Repairing cracks on typical concrete structures typically take longer within which we’ve got to use mortar on the broken surfaces. Sometimes, we’ve got to infix mortar into the prevailing structure with metal pins to forestall it from falling. of these ways are expensive, because it is sophisticated to achieve access to the repaired surface whether or not it’s in underground or nice height

Fig. Self healing concrete


CHENNAI - A STYLE BEYOND TIMES.

The style of architecture in Chennai is basically defined as Indo Sarascenic- which is a mixture of mughal as well as british architecture. There have been different buildings in different styles in different periods of time.

In the city, one can notice the British influence in the form of old cathedrals and the mix of Hindu, Islamic and Gothic revival styles that resulted in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Many of the colonial era buildings are designed in this style. The colonial legacy of Chennai is most apparent in the vicinity of the port. South of the port is Fort St George. The stretch between the fort and the port is occupied mostly by the High Court buildings and several clubs, some of which have existed since the British era. A little south of the fort, across the Cooum River, is the Chepauk cricket stadium, another British staple, dating from 1916. North and west of the port is George Town, where dockyard workers and other manual labourers used to live. George Town is now a bustling commercial centre, but its architecture is significantly different from areas closer to the fort, with narrower roads and tightly packed buildings. Most of the colonial-style buildings are concentrated in the area around the port and Fort St George. The remaining parts of the city consist of primarily modern architecture in concrete, glass and steel.

The Chepauk Palace, designed by Paul Benfield, is said to be the first Indo-Saracenic building in India. However, most of the Indo-Saracenic structures in the city were designed by English architects Robert Fellowes Chisholm and Henry Irwin and can be seen across the city, especially in areas such as Esplanade, Chepauk, Anna Salai, Egmore, Guindy, Aminjikarai and Park Town. Prominent structures in the Esplanade region include the Madras High Court (built in 1892), the General Post Office, State Bank of India building, Metropolitan Magistrate Courts, YMCA building, and the Law College. Chepauk area is equally dense with these structures with Senate House and library of the University of Madras, Chepauk Palace, PWD Buildings, Oriental Research Institute and the Victoria Hostel. Southern Railway headquarters, Ripon Building, the Victoria Public Hall, and the Madras Medical College’s anatomy block are examples of Indo-Saracenic-style structures found in Park Town.

The Victoria Public Hall in Park Town. This is a fine example of Indo Saracenic Architecture in Chennai. It is now under restoration by INTACH.

crystalline design for the springdale ... newletter june...an architectural marvel by vijayanagar...

Documents