Critical Appreciation of landscape of Lotus Temple

Lotus Temple Landscape elements

1. Landscape Architecture Assignment 1-Critical appreciation

2. L otus Temple - Bahai Temple The Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, India, is a Bahá'í House of Worship that was dedicated in December 1986. Notable for its flowerlike shape, it has become a prominent attraction in the city. Like all Bahá'í Houses of Worship, the Lotus Temple is open to all, regardless of religion or any other qualification

3. Lotus Temple Introduction Site Surroundings The Accesses Circulation within the site Relationship between the built up and outdoor spaces Site Services Parking Public Convenience Soft Landscape and Hardscape Lighting Signage Seats Trash receptacles

4. 1. Introduction 1. Introduction

5. House of worship Information Center Public convenience Education Center VIP parking space

6. 2. Site Surroundings

7. Bus Parking and p ublic convenience M agenta metro line Commercial Shops Maanik Park

8. Bus Parking and public convenience Magenta underground metro line Commercial Shops Maanik Park

9. 3 . The Accesses

10. Main public entry Service entry VIP entry All accesses from a 15 Wide Road

11. 1. Main public entry 2. Service entry 3. VIP entry

12. 4 . Circulation within the site

13. Pedestrian Circulation Vehicular Circulation

14. With respect to the main entrance of the site, the temple entrance is oblique.

15. 5 . Relationship between the built up and outdoor spaces

16. The main walkway towards the temple is along the central axis of the temple which divides the temple symmetrically on both sides . Placement of the walkway in accordance to the symmetry of the temple.

17. Movement of cool air The nine pools around the building form the main landscaping element . At the same time, they represent the green leaves of lotus afloat on water. The pools and fountain help to cool the air that passes over them into the hall.

18. While entering the building , the pools are not visible which acts as the mysterious feature to the structure.

19. 6 . Site Services

20. Storm water drainage along walkways SWD at the entrance of information centre Water Pump and treatment plant Solar panels Electrical substation Fire hose cabinet

21. Storm Water drainage along the walkways Storm water drains are provided along the walkways to prevent accumulation of water . Sandstone covering with small grates are provided for the main walkway towards the temple . The use of same stone as used in walkway creates a merging effect. Grilled coverings for drains along other walkways

22. The steps towards the information center at basement level have their treads placed at certain gap in order to prevent accumulation of water in the basement . Sloping stone strip is given along stairs so that water does not accumulate on the surface of stairs Storm water drainage at the entrance of Information centre The grooves in stone surface are kept open in certain areas to allow the water to flow down through it .

23. Water pump and treatment plant The water pump and treatment plant is placed openly within the softscape region . It is partially covered by the trees around it . Recycled water is stored underground and pumped out for watering the plants and trees through the pipe .

24. Solar panels Electrical substation Panel board Fire hose Watch tower

25. 7 . Parking

26. PARKING Parking VIP / worker’s Entry-Exit VIP Vehicular Entry to parking

27. PARKING AREA : - VIP CAR PARKING WORKER’S PARKING PEDESTRIAN ENTRY TO PARKING GATE ENTRY: Parking and the main passage are connected through pedestrian gate SPACE FOR: 2-WHEELERS 4-WHEELERS 6 Meter wide road provided for entry and exit.

28. 8 . Public Convenience

29. Public convenience- Washrooms and drinking water

30. Entrance to Public Convenience Drinking water and washrooms

31. 9 . Softscape and Hardscape

32. Maximum portion of the site is softscape. S oftscape Hard scape

33. 2 kinds of stone used in walkways Red sandstone white marble terrazzo on the both the edges of the path Red sandstone have non slippery surface which makes them ideal for walkways. Water drains off the path easily Bushes along the path Concrete paving in path leading to public washrooms

34. The temple is reached by a flight of steps on the front and green mounds on both sides which adds a vertical dimension to it.

35. The height of the bushes along the path leading to washroom area are higher in order partially cover the path Symmetrical arrangement of trees along the path. Trees that were planted near the drinking water region had greater foliage . Trees were planted near seating to provide shade.

36. Planters at the path junction . Different types of trees were planted. Wild Palm trees Ashoka trees Neem trees Mango trees Gulmohar trees

37. 10 . Lighting

38. Staircase recessed light Ceiling light Flash light Wall lamp

39. LIGHTS ON STAIRCASE 2.CEILING LIGHTS FOR BASEMENT Illuminating the basement Creates the mirror image in water Recessed lights: Illuminate the stairs with soft glow hence showing the passage towards the information center.

40. High-pressure discharge lights are used. F luorescent lamps with their diffused light are used for pathway lighting. FLASH LIGHTS FOR NIGHT EFFECTS Wall lamps are installed at washroom and drinking water region. WALL LAMP

41. 11 . Signage

42. Entry Information center signage Washroom signage Photography prohibition signage

43. Temporary sign board was showing path towards washroom area. Entry signage Well maintained and permanent sign board

44. 12 . Seats

45. Sitting area Shaded sitting area Open sitting area Sitting spaces around the monument

46. 1) Well shaded by trees Benches are made of sandstone 2) Seats were made on central axis which lead to the temple. Main purpose of these seats were to maintain the symmetry. No shade provided. SITTING AREA Sitting space provided around the temple. Presence of water body makes the sitting space cooler.

47. 13. Trash receptacles

48. Sitting area TRASH RECEPTACLES: Inside the campus there is only one trash re ceptacle which is near sitting area. The trash is collected from this trash box to trash vehicle and disposed off. Trash box inside campus Trash box outside campus

49. Team Bonny Shaju Atharv Subharwal Bimenpreet Kaur Prerna Sharma Priyal Agarwal Pulkit Agarwal