Nehru science centre , mumbai

India's largest Science Centre designed by Achyut prakash Kanvinde.

1. NEHRU SCIENCE CENTRE , MUMBAI Sandhya 1AN15AT025 VI Sem , B.Arch

2. Achyut Purushottam Kanvinde  (1916–28 December 2002) was an Indian architect who worked in functionalist approaches with elements of  Brutalist architecture . He received the  Padma Shri  in 1974. Graduated in architecture from Sir J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai in 1942. He was then sent by the Government of India to study at Harvard where he worked under  Walter Gropius  and was influenced by his thinking and teaching. PHILOSOPHIES Kanvinde played with space and forms. He gave great importance to natural light. He championed the cause of vernacular architecture. He believed that values and historical influences contributed towards good architecture.  He used Arthashashtra .

3. LOCATION The Nehru Science Centre is located off E. Moses road, Worli , Mumbai. The northern and western sides of the complex are surrounded be slums making it impossible to link the structure with the planetarium on the western side. The entire complex spreads across a sloped marshy land covering about 8 acres. The general programme requires 13 acres of reclaimed land to accommodate 15,000 sq. m. of built up space, comprising of several functions related to the museum.

4. Nehru Science Center  (NSC) is the largest interactive science centre in India. The centre is named after India's first Prime Minister ,  Jawaharlal Nehru . In 1977, the centre started with the 'Light and Sight' exhibition, and then in 1979 a Science Park was built. On 11 November 1985 it was opened to the public by  Rajiv Gandhi , the then  Prime Minister of India .  The Nehru Science Centre in Mumbai, is one such workshop, which involves the visitor in a scientific experience, giving him participative role in experiments, so that he/she no longer remains a mere spectator. INTRODUCTION Activities 1.        Exposition without walls – children’s science park with interactive exhibits of scientific phenomena, greenery and aviary. 2.        Exposition with walls – science for children, sound and hearing and sight, discovery and our heritage. 3.        Educational extension counter – mini planetarium, camp corners, creative ability centre, teachers’ training programmes, science fair, seminars, quiz, ‘I m a mother’ shows, film shows, popular lectures and many more .

5. CONCEPT The site is naturally sloping in different directions . The architect deliberately wanted to maintain and accentuate to this natural topography of the site , in the form of split-levels of modular units . The vast expanse of the metal finish with grooves gives a more definite and dramatic character to the exterior. Also the use of ventilation shafts has been commendably used to enhance the character of the building. LAYOUT The entire complex has been built out with structure for functions like the reception centre, the workshops, the museum and science park. The main access road to the site bifurcates near this road. One of the bifurcations leads to the museum building bypassing the science park and acting also as a service road as it links the entrances to the temporary exhibition halls and depositories to the main access road.

6. EXTERNAL FORM The building looks interesting when viewed from all the angles. It creates a sense of curiosity and mystery in the minds of the visitors. The science museum with its immense proportions and massing does not overpower the visitor’s senses. The shot- crete used gives a rugged and stark look to the structure; vertical and horizontal grooves are introduced. The building has few windows minimising the elevational features and shafts have been skilfully used to add interest to the elevation and have served in animating the skyline. Its design is basically modular , but the repetition of modules does not become predictable. The module is evolved through a stage-by-stage dissection process .

7. STRUCTURAL SYSTEM As the site is reclaimed, since it was a marshy land, pile foundation had to be used. The structural system is conceived with structural supports placed at 12.0m c/c . These supports are made up of hollow 2.3mX2.15m L.C. concrete tube which functions both as structural components and conceal the air distribution system and the services. Large unobstructed spans were essential for the exhibition halls of the science centre. Therefore ribbed or waffle slab is used. The floor slab consists of 0.9mX0.9m fabricated or pre-cast R.C.C. waffle units. Materials The exterior surface of the structure, for low maintenance cost, is finished with local grey stone , grit plaster with grey cement (1:1) panels created by making grooves on the grit plaster at certain intervals.

8. Interiors The number of exhibition halls, at various levels, is connected by staircase blocks with illuminated by skylights and other fully glazed passageways. The use of minimum number of windows has given way to large display areas on the walls. This effect of a large volume is brought down by hanging colourful banners from the ceiling, though at some places it has been controlled and regulated by stepping the roof slabs . The split-levels used to maintain the natural topography of the site has helped in achieving an effect of spatial organisation and physical as well as visual division of large spaces. The colour schemes of the exhibition hall interiors consists of bright primary colours used particularly to attract children .

9. A B C D

10. Circulation The circulation pattern broadly falls under two basic needs – the movement of people and that of the exhibits. Visitors enter the main hall on the first floor level of the B block through a flight of steps leading from the landscaped forecourt. From the main hall they are gradually routed through the exhibition area. The circulation route directs the public to the second floor from where they ascend viewing the exhibition. The visitor then starts to descend in this block, passing through the Hall of Industries and Heritage Hall to reach the ground floor level to the temporary exhibition halls. After exploring them, the visitor comes to the café lobby. One climbs up to the entrance hall to exit from the stepped bridge. Material circulation is a very important aspect of museum design, which is organised by bringing the material to be stored to the depository in the basement by a vehicular ramp. The materials used in fabrication are sent to the workshop. Material movement in the exhibition area is through a large freight lift in the central zone. Supplies to the kitchen are also routed through the basement receiving space.

11. Block A            This block houses the administrative and technical staff and the permanent office . Block A is connected to the first floor and ground floor level to block B. Block B The main entrance of the museum is a three-storey structure consisting of two hexagons connected by a rectangular staircase block . Each hexagon forms a display area of 500 sq. m . The first floor of this block houses the central hall and the hall of science . As one enters the entrance hall from the open air podium one sees a massive exhibit based on the principles of conservation of energy. Behind this exhibit is the main staircase leading to the other exhibition halls.

12. On the right hand side of the entrance is the reception along with the souvenir shop and the waiting area. On the split level 1.3m higher than the entrance hall is the ‘Fun Science’ gallery housing interesting exhibits. Halls on the second floor are devoted to ‘Light and Sight’ and ‘Sound and Hearing’ exhibits. The third floor comprises of the ‘Discovery Hall’ and the computer section. The Discovery hall is connected by a passage to ‘The Hall of Nature’ in block C. these passages connecting different blocks are in the form of fully glazed corridors. On the ground floor of block B is the cafeteria and temporary exhibition gallery. The basement houses services such as the depository, kitchen and storage for the science museum.

13. Block C It is similar to block B and comprises of various display areas such as ‘Hall of Industries’ and the ‘C.V. Raman’ hall on the ground floor. ‘Evolution’ and ‘Heritage’ on the first floor, ‘Heritage’ and Activities Hall on the second floor and the hall of Nature on the third floor. Block D It houses the auditorium, library and conference hall . It has an independent access, which leads to a common entrance for both the library and the auditorium. The entrance doors are very narrow and at 45 degree angle causing great inconvenience to the visitors.

14. The finish, although good in appearance has certain disadvantages, such as – 1.        The grooves left between the panels are not watertight and are a cause of heavy leakage during the monsoon. 2.        Rich mixture of cement has been used to cast large panels which have cracked due to expansion and contraction. Even these cracks are the cause of monsoon leakage. 3.        The grit plaster used does not hold on R.C.C. surface therefore patches of shot- crete fallen from a few places spoiling the elevation DISADVANTAGES