Botanical Garden
Guwahati
Overview
In the middle of Guwahati's old area very near to Brahmaputra riverfront and next to the old established marketplace, was an old jail compound. Now vacant and mostly razed to ground, this land along with some adjacent area left over stood vacant in the middle of buzzling growing CBD. It is one of the most centrally located piece of land of this size and held a huge commercial potential. After many years of contemplation and debate over program for this site, authorities finally decided to leave the land open and concluded to create an open space that will serve as a void for the densely populated area around it.
When Creators Architects was approached to develop a scheme, initially we were given an impression that the intention was to create a park- a large green space in the middle of the city. However, after several site visits and deliberation, we felt that the land could offer much more in addition to being only an open park.
The site was surrounded by heavy fabric of shops and was quite congested. Space for parking was quite restricted available, traffic movement often lead to long jams, pedestrian movement corridors and facilities was inadequate. The site we felt presented an opportunity and potential towards these contextual issues.
In addition to micro level addresses, design also aspired for macro level positioning as a prominent tourism spot for inbound tourism and for locals, thus giving a landmark identity to the space.
Concept
The project came to be known as ‘Central Park’ Guwahati was conceptualized as a mixed-use concept with proportions like tourism, urban infrastructure, cultural and a commercial.
The trick was to set the proportion for each of these sectors carefully so that it would not induce even more traffic in the already congested road network. Also, it was intended to make the project sustainable and interdependent for foot falls and revenue, increasing both through co-dependencies and co-existence.
The concept began to evolve with a deep understanding relationship each activity, function and program would have in other and as a whole; that can coexist and support each other and creates value for that city and the area. This resulted in testing various programs like shopping, multiplex, convention Center, exhibition grounds, etc, till in the end focus was given to culturally oriented program and tourist based activates that would also be used to promote information and heritage amongst inbound tourist and locals.
In order to put this all together, convenience facilities like recreation, eating and leisure were also provided that would also bring additional footfall and review.
Design
The design started taking native characteristics as a starting point, unique to the site. The site has two large water bodies; one in the south side which was fairly large, though had been contaminated by sewage, run off and cattle excreta, the other on the north side with dense plantations of lotus plants that attracted local fauna and birds. Another unique feature of the site was the remains of the old jail. The jail wall stood in the eastern part of the place, is 30 ft (9m) high, but was deemed structurally unsafe.
Both the features were to be restored and enhanced in the scheme. Water bodies were cleaned, water quality to be resorted for aquatic growth and embankment reshaped. Jain wall was also planned for restoration by structural gutting, textured enhanced to create memorial wall for freedom fighters. Existing trees habitat was also protected and retained increasing the sustainability of the site.
Overall the site was designed with the central plaza in the center approachable from the three sides with three arterial roads from on the north, the east and the west. This divided the site in 3 different quadrants. The southern quadrant was designed for a botanical garden hosting the native species of Assam both flaura and fauna. A large biome structure sat on the west end of the space, various pockets were developed in the botanical garden to facilitate proper growth of the place and tourism attraction.
The food court and the craft selling facilities were constructed just on the offshore side of the lake. The large water body got converted into a lake with boating and other recreations. The western side was designated for the children activities with children park having games like skating, rock climbing, adventure maze and all the modern sporting facilities. The western eastern and northern edges which are around the roads are planned with surface parking leading all the vehicles to the multiple car parking situated in the eastern part of the park. The capacity of the multiple car park was designed was to cater 1200 vehicles at a time after analyzing the traffic movement of the area .The multilevel car park is a twelve stories tower which not only generate revenue but also decongest the locality to the utmost which in turn boosted the urban development of the area.
Further on the north eastern sector of the site the social cultural center was planned to promote exhibitions and small gatherings maximum to a capacity of 250 people. It was designed in an auditorium setting. It also housed a designated area for sculpture display which is the local art of Assam . Along this an open area was planned to host flower shows, festival etc to promote the culture. This area was primarily assigned for cultural promotion and was also made leasable.
The central plaza itself is an attraction its own. The large amphitheater in a ball shaped structure make it to stand apart. It has a 100 mtr tower in the center provides an excellent space to carry out the light and sound show for the tourist. It also serves as a recreational site to sit and explore the high-altitude views. The Central plaza is built to be the icon for the entire site and Guwahati.
On one side of the central plaza was the visitor center which was extended into the deck that overlooked the northern lotus pond. This visitor center was assigned to provide all the information to the visitors for easy navigation. On the other side was the great lawn for gathering activities both private and political including of hosting of live shows, festivities etc. So overall each of the pocket was designed to create that impact and achieve the diversity and interdependence within the site.
Overall the various features in the project catered to various kinds of footfall that not only make the diversity possible but also tackles one of the major problems of such developments which is sustainability for low traffic in some times of the year. With variety of spaces within the park and with its multiple offerings it ensures the steady flow of visitors ensuring the park to be populated and bringing a constant vibrancy into the development.
Key features
Integrated development in heart of Guwahati: one of its kind.
Specifically designed as a sustainable development by diversifying the use case, foot falls and revenue centers.
Plugging in urban void within an existing fabric to solving contextual problems and yet be the statement in a macro environment.
Restoration of Flora, fauna, natural elements and heritage.
Experience creation from all five senses.
Various zones created to cater to all types/ ages of people promoting dependancy and mutual connections.
Unique structure built to make the place an icon for the city
Makes Impossible outcomes possible.