Skip to main content

Of cut-outs, frames and trees - At the IUCCA Campus

This was my first visit to IUCCA (Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics) in Pune. This visit was special for me, more so because it is one of the best designed campuses in India.That too, by one of our country's pioneer architect Charles Correa.I had read and heard about it during my architecture days at M.S.U. Baroda , and I was thrilled at the chance to visit it, finally.

What impressed me the most was the use of windows / frames / cut-outs throughout the campus. I found many inspired by the Mandala ( 9 squares ) , a concept Correa also used in creating in Jawahar Kala Kendra, in Bhopal. They created interesting patterns of shade on the walls - they changed throughout the day, with the sun.

The day I visited , it was open to the public who wished to see the science display as well ( set up specially for that day). There were lots and lots of school going children, lots of University students. Most of them were there to see the Science display, I guess. Few , like us , were there to see the building :). I took a lot many photographs, I hope you can see the building through the hordes of people   :) ..

Entrance at IUCCA 



The elements reflected.. 


Reflections of the pergolas on stone walls 



Some more pergolas inside the campus 


An unusual frame to capture a sculptural tree 



Even Einstein Approves of the campus :) 



Einstein and the Jacaranda tree ..  



This one happens to be one of my favourite pictures of the lot .. the women frame the building or the building frames the women ? 



Most definately inspired by the Indian courtyard and beautifully represented too ! 



The use of trees as sculpture 



Cut-outs around the Verandah in the Guest rooms (?) 


More cut-outs around the buildings the courtyard 



Galileo in the Kund


A tree casts it's shadow on the wall 



A cut-out on the sun dial 


A cut-out in the sky 



More cut-outs in the sky 



Representing the night sky (in the day ! ) 



Why leave details behind ? Paving detail at the entrance .. 


Rough meets the smooth 


Labels:

Comments

  1. swapna roy13 April 2012 at 09:01

    seeing through your eyes is a good experience.Keep on writing and posting

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Say what you need to say, love to hear from you :)

Popular posts from this blog

Homi & Jamshed Bhabha's classic house in Mumbai

I had the most memorable visit to Homi Bhabha 's ancestral property in Malabar Hills a few of months back. It was a big deal and one of a kind visit to one of India's most celebrated scientist, as his home turned out to be treat for a designer like me. Jamshed Bhabha had set up NCPA (National Centre of Performing Arts) in 1969 , India's premier cultural destination. The Bhabha brothers Jamshed and Homi were great connoisseurs of art. They had a huge collection of art work at their home, especially by Indian artists. Jamshed Bhabha passed away in 1997, leaving this home to the NCPA, which decided to auction all of their collection to benefit NCPA itself. The day I went was the day of viewing the items which were to be actioned off. Exquisite clothes , carpets and jewellery were on display. So were fabulous pieces of furniture, lovely crockery and dinnerware. The walls and ceilings were adorned with Lalique chandeliers and Art Deco  lig...
30 comments
Read more

An old temple complex at Kinhai, Maharashtra

One of my colleagues lives in Kinhai (which I believe) one of the most picturesque towns in the country. Surrounded by green fields and hills, and an old temple in the background, this place is the embodiment of peace itself. The village in question, with great views  Luckily, I happened to visit it with a few of my colleagues from work last year, during harvest season. This village is very remote, I don't think I could have gone there otherwise .The weather was great , the fields were ripe with produce and it was the perfect light to take some photographs. I have always enjoyed visits to old towns, especially remote ones. I enjoy looking at the buildings and the people. They live so differently from us, like they belong to another planet altogether. Here are some pictures I took of that place .. An old temple dedicated to Rama  The old temple complex begins  Children climb down the temple complex...
7 comments
Read more

Darling Japanese book-mark dolls

I had a period in my life ( a while back) , when all I searched on the net were Kimonos and Japanese dolls. I was obsessed with them (for about 3 days). Within that time, I searched everything, from Kimono designs to Geisha make-up, washi tapes and Japanese Cherry trees ! However, it turned out to be another of those 'search binges' I face on the net, where I spent the entire day taking in information and going to sleep. But, not Day 2. On day 2 , I found these darlings  :             The Red darlings  The Blue darlings  And I found I could actually make them, with some pieces of scrap paper and some nifty glue drops here and there ! These are actually addictive, I made 3 of these pretty women. They look good from the back , as well , by the way ;) !  What you need :  1. Scrap paper sheet - 5"X7" ( I used some nice wrapping paper, some crepe paper , some left over brown paper p...
9 comments
Read more