The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Time to debate aesthetics of city’s landscape

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Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Time to debate aesthetics of city’s landscape

Ranjani Govind

Green has become a minority in the city with concrete taking over
‘Materials used should be distinct and varied in each building’

BANGALORE: The importance of an integrated approach in urban design is becoming increasingly apparent as one traverses the thoroughfares in Bangalore.

“There is so much of design disorder with each building throwing a totally different make-up that it could disturb the evolution of a meaningful cityscape.

Cautious use of newer materials and techniques and the integration of new building philosophies along with green lung spaces are factors that one should consider for bringing in beauty in spaces. Brick-and-mortar expressions play a vital role in determining a visual makeup of urban spaces,” says architect S.N. Ramesh of R-Square Designs.

In the mega city transformation have we lost out on something heavenly? Is there a sea change in perceiving the architecture of buildings now?

Landscape architects generally work with urban planners to bring in city parks that integrate nature into an overall urban plan.

Ratio

“Fifteen years ago, Bangalore didn’t even need any landscape architect, everything was there in place and the ratio of concrete vs. green was so natural, nobody talked of urban aesthetics,” says Vivek V. Shankar, Principal Architect, VSDP. “Green is a minority with concrete taken over… only the blend can bring in aesthetics, the sprinkle of parks is but a piece-meal effort and I hope the Metro project doesn’t eat into that also in the next few years.”

“Yes, it is a different city now,” agrees K. Jaisim, Chairman, Indian Institute of Architects, Karnataka Chapter.

Fortified make-believe expressions don’t add to reminiscent cityscape. There are a few dynamics, buildings should either add value to the urban scenario by standing out as a monument or be a signature project. Or they should be part of a totality synthesising with the whole. This is integration. We had approachable buildings as Town Hall, Seshadri Memorial Building, Tipu Sultan’s Fort and the clubs and old colonial houses. The love for Bangalore was for the spirit of space it offered! Now, we have to set ourselves thinking about urban aesthetics!”

Integrity

Do we have to adhere to a material-match or some integrity in wall makeovers? “It is a yes and no situation,” contends Jaisim.

“Painting all buildings in one colour or restricting with limited materials in all houses alike will not lend to beauty. There may be a sense of order, but it loses magic and a sense of mystery. Blending either by contrasts or by soft layers in colour brings in a sense of visual intermingle. But there should be no commonality in structures for aesthetics. Even a sprinkling of glass and aluminium panels is okay if it is done with a purpose that it is used for.”

Visually, materials used should be distinct and varied in each building, just as architectural styles shown in facades, says Vivek.

Now this is up to the architect for studying the area before taking up the project. Only in assortment and variety of buildings, both in design and cover-up does the city get fun to live in. Aesthetics should not mean ‘seen one, seen everything.”

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