PRESERVING CHANDIGARH HERITAGE

 

 

The Le Corbusier Centre, Chandigarh, India

An Institution dedicated to the life, work and legacy of Le Corbusier – architect and planner of Chandigarh

 – ‘The City Beautiful’

 

The Le Corbusier Centre was set up on October 6,  2008 on the occasion of the 121st birth centenary  of  Le Corbusier, to commemorate and preserve the work and legacy of Le Corbusier with specific reference to the modern architectural Heritage of Chandigarh. The Swiss-French architect used the office while conceptualizing the city almost six decades ago and now this old office in Sector-19 houses Le Corbusier Centre. The Centre displays and exhibits the life and works of Le Corbusier, so that tourists and future generations may be able to acquaint themselves with the rich cultural heritage of the city.

The Master Plan of Chandigarh was developed by Le Corbusier who also designed the Capitol Complex having architectural edifices and monuments like secretariat, assembly, high court, open hand, trench of consideration, martyr’s memorial, geometric hill, modular man, twenty four solar hours, tower of shadows and course of the sun and also established the architectural control & design of the main buildings of the city.

Chandigarh has been conceived as a living organism with close parallelism of functions. The administrative areas in the north comprising the secretariat, high court and assembly chamber is head, the education centre in the north east are limbs, the chief commercial and civic centre is the heart where the residential areas are analogous to the trunk to the organism. The network of roads and footpaths through which the circulation of traffic and population takes place is circulatory system. The spacious parks, green belts and other open spaces act as lungs of the city. The rivulet in leisure valley serves as spine.

 

 

Objectives of the Centre

One of the most remarkable urban projects and an important milestone in the history of Modern Architecture and Urban Planning, Chandigarh today has become an iconic entity as well as a living laboratory that attracts an increasing number of architects, planners, architectural scholars, historians and conservation professionals who seek authentic resource material for carrying out their research on Chandigarh and its chief protagonist, Le Corbusier.

The keen support offered by the Government of India and UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre in Chandigarh Administration’s nomination of “Le Corbusier’s Work in Chandigarh” to the World Heritage List and “Preparation of a Conservation Management Plan for the historic areas, buildings and movable artifacts of the city” is also an affirmation of unique value of the city’s Modern Heritage. A need has thus emerged not only to intensify efforts for its conservation, but also for its appropriate transmission to future generations. 

With time numerous, hitherto unknown facets of Chandigarh’s built and movable heritage, as also complexities of its conservation are being revealed — one of the contentious issues being formulating policies for appropriate rehabilitation and contemporary utilization of historic structures that have fallen into disuse and disrepair. In view of the above, the objective of founding “The Le Corbusier Centre for Interpretation and Augmentation of the Heritage of Chandigarh” is not only to rehabilitate the “Old Architects’ Office in Sector 19-B, Chandigarh” but also to establish a dedicated centre for fostering a better understanding of the universal value of Chandigarh’s Modern heritage amongst various stakeholders, and, augmenting the heritage management skills and capacities of the local authorities. 

Le Corbusier Centre comprises of four sections:

1.      Museum & display gallery,

2.      Research, publication, archival and digital library,

3.      Administration and

4.      Souvenir Shop.

The projects and components of Le Corbusier Centre are:

 1. Conservation of the Old Architects’ Office in the manner of an authentic resource that can be used for disseminating information about the experimental aim of Modern architecture of Chandigarh as also for recreating the setting in which the city was created.

 2. Establishment of a well-organized Information / Interpretation Centre for dissemination of knowledge regarding the history and heritage of Chandigarh, with a special emphasis on the role of Le Corbusier in the making of the city. The activities envisaged within this segment include organizing permanent as well as temporary exhibitions, film shows, public seminars, workshops, etc. 

3. Preservation of various small-scale artefacts of ‘Movable Cultural Heritage’ such as furniture, furnishings, fittings, etc. 

4. Preservation of archival resources, i.e. drawings, documents, photographs, etc. concerning the heritage of the Chandigarh, and especially, Le Corbusier’s role in the making of the city. 

5. Establishment of a Research, Documentation and Publication Centre on the Modern Heritage of Chandigarh. This section will include a well-stocked library, and will include a state-of-the-art facility for online study of digital copies of original documents pertaining to the creation of Chandigarh.

6. Establishment of the “Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Cell” for monitoring the conservation activity within the city.

 

 

 

Significance of the building

The Old Architects’ Office was one of the earliest buildings constructed in Chandigarh, along with the Old Engineers’ office and staff residences in Sector 19. It continued to be put to its original use till 1965, when the Department of Urban Planning shifted to its present location within the U.T. Secretariat in Sector 9. Being the workplace of Le Corbusier and his team, as also the spot from where the entire city was designed, the building is of immense historic value to Chandigarh. The structure is also a significant resource for understanding the technological, formal, and aesthetic spirit of Modern architecture, as also its peculiar manifestation in the context of Chandigarh.

The Old Architects’ Office also demonstrates the world-wide issues of conserving Modern Heritage. Some of these are the changing dynamics of “use”, fragility of modern materials, inherent problems of temporary and experimental constructions, non-availability of original materials, introduction of contemporary services, etc.

Besides contributing to the ongoing international deliberations about the policies and methodologies for conserving Modern Heritage, this project would indeed be a landmark as the first ever project of conservation and adaptive re-use undertaken by the Chandigarh Administration. It would help in building awareness of the city’s unique value among its residents and simultaneously establish the positive role of heritage conservation as an enabling tool for development. It is, thus, important that the building itself be treated as an authentic resource for disseminating information about the distinctive interpretation of Modern architecture in the context of Chandigarh as also for recreating the original ambience in which the city was created.

Physical Appraisal: 

The original building was designed with particular attention to Chandigarh’s mandate of cost-effective and climate responsive design. The spirit of experimentation of Nehru’s new city ‘free from encumbrances of the past’ was also obvious in the choice of its general form as well as construction.

The building, thus, was made with experimental and cost-effective materials and methods, such as the exposed reinforced concrete shell of the porch, precast beams of the sloping roofs, bricktile for floors, and, jute-lac panels for doors and cupboard shutters. Also were incorporated several design elements to obstruct harsh sun, to create ample glarefree natural light, and, to induce natural ventilation – in general, to create a comfortable work environment without recourse to costly mechanical devices. The modest structure of our Old Architects’ Office may well be considered as a seminal attempt at introducing concepts of ‘sustainability’ and ‘green architecture’ in the architectural annals of Modern India.

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Layout Plan and display of the exhibits in the Centre (East wingh):

Room No. : 1                  Reception, Information and publications

Room No. : 2                  Archival Records

Room No. : 3                  Documents

Room No.4               Plans, Sections, Elevations, Sketches and Studies

Room No.5                     Maps and Models

Room No.6                     Photographs (B&W) and Colour and Translights

Room No. 7                    Committee Room, Master Plan of Chandigarh, furniture and selected colour reproductions of works of art of Le Corbusier

Room No. 8                    Reference, Research and Digital library  

Room No. 9                    Administration

Verandah:                       Exhibition Hall

‘Le Corbusier in Chandigarh’ : An exhibition of rare photo prints of  Le Corbusier and his foreign  and Indian architects team who created Chandigarh – ‘The City Beautiful’ between 1952 and 1965.

Corridor:                         Photo Gallery

Le Corbusier – A Multi Faceted Personality

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Memorabilia/ Souvenir shop (west wing)

Souvenirs of Chandigarh

Exquisite collectables/ Souvenirs of Chandigarh are available to remain associated with the fond memories of Chandigarh – ‘The City Beautiful’. Takeaway Mementos to linger on with the nostalgia of the City ----- keep the memory afresh to visit Chandigarh again or keepsake of object a traveler brings home for the memories associated with it.

 

General Information:

Timings:      10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Centre)

                   10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Souvenir shop)

Closed on Mondays and gazetted holidays

Photography is allowed.

Entry free.

Wheel Chairs are available for physically challenged visitors.

 

Contact information:

Nodal Officer

Le Corbusier Centre,

Old Architects Office Building,

Sector 19-B, Chandigarh 160019, INDIA

Telefax: +91172 2777077,

Email: lecorbusiercentrechd@gmail.com

website: www.chandigarhtourism.gov.in/lcc/index.html

           

 

 

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HAND LIST OF Memorabilia/ Souvenirs of Chandigarh

 

 

S.No.

Name of Souvenirs & books on Chandigarh

1.

Cushion Cover with cushion (Small) - Size: 12” x 12”

2.

Cushion Cover with cushion (Medium) - Size:16” x 16”

3.

Cushion Cover with cushion (Large) - Size:24” x 24”

4.

Table lamp (Small) -  Height - 8”  with 6” diameter

5.       

Table lamp (Medium) -  Height - 9” with 8” diameter

6.

Table lamp (Large -  Height 16” with 8” diameter

7.

T-shirts (All sizes) (Small, medium, large & extra large)

8.

Fridge magnet ( Standard size)

9.

Crystal A series

10.

Crystal B series

11.

Crystal C series

12.

Crystal D series

13.

Cone Mug (Large)

14.

Cone Mug (Small)

15.

Colour reproductions of work of art of Le Corbusier with moulded frames (as per sample)-Size- 1’ x1.5’, 2’ x 1.5’ , 3’ x 2.5’, 4’ x 3.5’ &  5’ x 4.5’

16.

Translit (thin) 8 “ x 10”

17.

Translit (thick) 8” x10”

18.

Black mug (Regular)

19.

White mug (Regular)

20.

Colour mug (Regular)

21.

Animal handle Mug (Regular)

22.

Glass mug (Large)

23.

Beer mug (Large)

24.

Piggy bank

25.

Cup Plate

26.

Looking mirror

27.

Badge

28.

Key chain (Metal & wooden)

29.

Plate (Standard size)

30.

Tile (Ceramic) 8”x12”

31.

Tile (Ceramic) 6”x6”

32.

Tile (Ceramic) 4”x4”

33.

Tile (Stone) 8” x8”

34.

Coaster PVC (Set of six pieces)

35.

Coaster Wooden (Set of six pieces)

36.

Toughen Glass plate

37.

Frame (Acrylic)

38.

Round Paper weight (Acrylic)

39.

Open Hand (Acrylic)

40.

Pen stand with one pen (Wooden)

41.

Pen stand with two pens (Plastic)

42.

Man hole (Metal) 2.5”

43.

Man hole (Metal) 3”

44.

Man hole (Metal)3.5”

45.

Man hole (Metal) 4”

46.

Open hand (Metal) 4”

47.

Open hand (Metal) 6”

48.

Open hand (Metal) 8”

49.

Open hand (Metal) 10”

50.

Table Clock (metal)

51.

Rock Garden - A  vision of creativity

52.

Sukhna-Sublime Lake of Chandigarh

53.

Chandigarh-A city for all time

54.

Chandigarh-Gardens and Greens

55.

Corb’s Capitol ( English, French & Italian)

56.

Kavita ke Iene Main Chandigarh (Hindi)

 

 

 

 

 

Contact:

 

The Le Corbusier Centre,

Old Architects Office Building,

Sector 19-B, Chandigarh 160019, INDIA

Telefax: +91172 2777077,

Email: lecorbusiercentrechd@gmail.com, stepschd@gmail.com

website: www.chandigarhtourism.gov.in/lcc/index.html