Ghat (re) Development

FOAP JNU, Jaipur

Project idea

The design is focused on developing a morphological language to reach "water" to emphasise the natural entity the Ganges, it helped me towards having a liberal approach and look at it analytically.

While designing the steps on the site I began with three major aspects/thoughts to be fulfilled. First, the traditional approach towards the river; second, all the spaces to emerge from a single plane; third, providing all the functional spaces and services under the staircases with different shade patterns at different times.

Project description

Ghats are the riverfront steps leading down to the Holy River. In the Indian context, ghats are basically steps step wells sins and salvation. There are different kinds of activities performed related to one's beliefs and rituals. It's said in Hindu religion that. "we are born in water and after death, our body goes to water". Water is so precious and so important for Indians and when it's about the river Ganges importance becomes greatly significant.

Technical information

The concept of steps leading to the river coming out from a single surface gives a feel of origami and creates an interesting shade pattern underneath. The steps are based on the traditional step wells [Baori] of Indian architecture. They are designed in such a way that if seen from the front it looks like waves of water leading upside down to touch the surface. The desire of interaction between activities and people on different levels has been made through the zigzagging of staircases.
for different rituals and activities. These platforms define the different activity areas such as prayer, cremation, bathing etc.
0n the step intervals there are a few decks approaching towards the river. These decks create a viewpoint to see the River Ganges, the sunset, and different activities.

The entire built mass is rotated along an axis to provide the views.

At elevation, the original skyline of Varanasi is mimicked through the same concept of paper folding. This gives complexness to the entire built mass while in contrast, a collection of trees balance the built character.
 All the activities and functions are placed according to the river flow so that none of them can affect the other. From the left, there is the worshiping area. boating area, bathing and rituals and then lastly there is the cremation area.

On the first step is provided the pooja and worshiping area, as in the Hindu traditions the water coming from the temples and pooja is considered to be very holy for all the performed religious activities. From here the water travels to the various activity areas ending at the cremation area ~ which literally means " the last sacrifice". Which can be done here in front of the holy worshiped water coming from the worshiping area.