POSITIONS

1. The pattern of the land slopes gently from North to South (8.8 m) implying the path of surface water.
2. By memory and configuration the axis of the watch tower recalls the older panoptican order. {A sufficient and significant remnant} even through the solitary tower and the access walls between the periphery and the central tower of the central jail.
3. The implied {lines of force} of the axis generate possibilities. These inform the primary access sides to the park due to the area development around, the traffic movement pattern and inflow from different parts of the city as it exists and as envisaged.
4. The landscape is understood as strands that suggest a directional flow of movement - of water and people.
5. {We are compelled} (by this possible revitalization project in this specific part of the city) to give back the void to the city. Transforming, not by subordination of the land but by minimal markings, camouflage and disappearance.
6. The built {markers} dot the landscape by indenting the land. Each is abstract, bold, and elemental. By spatial recall each is a zone of possibilities for people and moments- an abstract composition which by memory and recall refers to spatial archetypes such as the columned pavilion, court etc. Each derives its scale from the different volumes of people gathering.
   These {anchor} themselves in the ground with visible implication on the surrounding landform such as the forum (auditorium - 60 seats), the exhibition gallery and sunken sculpture court. The court takes one closer to the core and to a different level of perception and enclosure in the park. The upper level of the information corridor is an informative touch screen gallery, museum and an enclosed exhibition gallery. The amphitheatre skirts the contours and makes a curved wrap wall.
   The 3 freestanding curved walls at the South East corner of the site become like fragments (the markers) waiting to be discovered while the low stone benches on the North East corner are for rest and see people go by.
7. The earth is marked by {indents} along (the lines of force) the movement through from North to South and vice versa.
   Each is a zone of possibility (seating, discussion, rest, the earth museum of rock and tree formations are water percolation points. Trees lightly dot this earthscape and move with it. Landscape of the earth markers which warp up towards the higher contours. These are opportunities of visual mediation / screening / guiding view entry, for rest and seating for individual / group use. They have varied scales, often shaded by trees from the harsh sun. They make {reference to the ground and the sky} as they slightly and gently indent into the earth and the mound on the other. At night the illumination of the retaining stone wall recalls floating lamina in the space of the park! In the mist-fountain pool at the end of the plaza towards the west are recessed lights underneath that take the shape of the berms as well and illuminate the pool magically.
8. The spatial thrust of the existing axis informs the loose linking of the {information / interpretation corridor}. As the curved marker reveals its spaces, one is engaged spatially with the axis (which movement culminates in the observation tower and beyond). One negotiates the axis - often elusive when one is in the existing exhibition gallery walls and confronted by the tower.
9. Floated in the warping green landscape is a paved floating plate. Freed from its association with spatial building enclosure, this 'plaza' like a space is dislocated to become court of {eastern light and western reflection}. At both ends of the East & West it is contained by high ground and dense planting. The children's play are is on the east so that it gets a vantage point view of the plaza and steep enough for them to enjoy the activities that can be for fun and learning through
   • scientific outdoor installations.
   • Enclosed now only by the warping of the ground plane, it sets an agenda to be the pulse of gathering space at the scale of the city.
   • This urban space is tilted east-west to capture all the colors of the celebratory light of the morning and evening. The skew of the plaza enables a pivoting away from the axial thrust and its freedom thereof. A place to enjoy the vastness, the shade, the spray of the mist fountain. The movement is structured along the lines of force and the markers as paths across the green.
   • The plaza is faced by the tower that can be used for viewing the park and the surrounding areas and being a souvenir outlet. The transformed Hospital building faces the plaza - that becomes an
   • exhibition space, a place for multiple theaters - for plays, rehearsal, lectures, movies etc for small groups apart from being a coffee shop with a library / bookshop.
10. Parking is located in the basement in the three peripheries -the Freedom Park parking is differentiated from but coupled with commercial parking.
11. The berms / rip wrap slow the surface water flow for percolation. They are placed on the landscape in a pattern in keeping with the flow of water within the site between the mounds and low points so that they cause maximum {water recharging} of the soil and do not erode the soil.
    The visual articulation of the levels of the earth is based on the movement pattern and views between mounds, trees and other foliage that has been worked out in layers to create green screens.
12. The edge of the site is seen as much a part of the street as the inside. It is designed to make {view windows} from inside and outside.
    Main entries are on the North (Seshadri Road) and South (Ramachandra Road) with a smaller entry on the 1st Main (Kalidasa Road). The profile for the edge around the entry points is sloped up from the footpath to create buffers from the street hustle bustle until one is deep enough in the site to be a spectator without getting distracted by the high traffic on the adjoining roads.
13. Services like toilets are provided in the entry points (can be used by people from the park or outside passersby too) and at the markers on the site within the buildings.
    Food is available at the food court - a place that will probably be with heavy activity - kept to the outskirts of the part for ease of access.
14. The process of transformation of the hospital walls comprises making inserts and placing them in a new context of use (exhibition, ice cream / snack outlet, coffee bar, a theater, book browsing etc.) and spatial experience by enabling a quality of {lightness} of the roof (by the structurally seemingly floating roof). A strong skyline that takes and reflects light differently due to the indents of the surface. It faces the plaza that makes it a prominent destination and in close proximity from the Ramachandra Road access.
    • The parallel walls that become the exhibition gallery follow a similar pattern of architectural transformation.
    • The Tower however we remove the outermost layer that has been added to it a few years ago and retain the original inner core

Lines of Force Planting Concept

Tree massings

Throughout most of the interior of Freedom Park, trees are arranged using a "clump and gap" organizational scheme. Tree massings form green walls and ceilings to the "voids" or "spaces" through which people walk, jog, play, contemplate, gather and come to rest.

Large and small trees are planted in curving linear massings reinforcing the lines of movement expressed in the circulation, drainage and landforms throughout Freedom Park. The relatively close spacings of the trees encourages upright growth with high canopies creating dynamic rhythms of tree trunks. In places these clumps disperse with wider spacings to make a dotting effect, as in a grove of trees spreading out into a meadow. Here the trees grow into their natural shape, and their full sculptural form, canopy and trunk and shadow cast, is the pattern.

Shrubs and groundcovers are also massed in groups particularly around the parks edges, to create layering effects with the tree clumping. A large portion of Freedom Park is seeded to lawn allowing people to freely access and explore different areas.

Overall effects of the plant materials chosen

Layering effect from different plant heights and foliage textures

1. Contrasting textures in leaf, trunk and flower.
2. Flower and leaf color and fragrance.
3. Multi-seasonal interest.
4. Strong sculptural/architectural plant forms.
5. Provision of varying degrees of shade and reduction of glare.
6. Majority of selected plants are native to India, drought tolerant and low maintenance.
7. Plants chosen which provide habitat for birds, butterflies etc.

Wall Transformation

Tower Transformation

Hospital Transformation