3. Palace of assembly lies in the capitol complex –
which comprises of legislative assembly
(palace of assembly), secretariat and high
court.
Chandigarh
Capitol complex
3
2
1
KEY
1 – LEGISLATIVE BUILDING ( ASSEMBLY BUILDING/
PALACE OF BUILDING)
2 – SECRETARIAT BUILDING
3- HIGH COURT
CAPITOL COMPLEX
5. Architectural style
The two legislative buildings were conceived
as free standing, curvilinear forms enclosed
within a rectilinear shell, carrying on one side
the entrance portico and on the opposite
side of band of offices.
The most impressive part of the
assembly is the assembly chamber
(Punjab assembly), which is
crowned by a massive hyperbolic
tower, extending above the roofline
and providing a sculptural and
dramatic look against the backdrop
of distant hills 128 ft. in diameter at
the base the assembly chamber
rises to 124 ft. at its highest point.
Punjab assembly
Hyperbolic tower
6. -versatility and plasticity of concrete as a
building material.
Similarly the smaller council chamber (
Haryana assembly) conceived in a
rectilinear frame is crowned by a
pyramidal roof, provided with a north
light.
Sun protection louvers ‘brise soleil’
have been provided on lateral walls for
protecting glazing against sun. The two
legislative chambers are surrounded by
a space ‘forum’ which serves for
circulation as well as informal meetings.
Haryana assembly
Pyramidal roof
7. The adoption of a circular form for the hall is for
the development of good acoustics.
The assembly hall is made in a hyperbolic shell
with an average thickness of 15 cm, constant
throughout its surface, resulting in a very low
cost and a minimum of weight.
The shell does not terminate in a horizontal
but in an oblique section which shall
receive a metallic framework
(aluminum). Interplay of natural
lighting, artificial lighting, ventilation
and acoustic is seen.
8. Le Corbusier’s five points of architecture can be found within
the design from its open plan to the view of the Himalayan
landscape.
The program features a circular assembly chamber, a forum for
conversation and transactions, and stair free circulation.
The use of pilotis (piers -
columns, pillars, or stilts - that lift a
building above ground or water) to lift
the structure off the ground. Pilotis
allow the form to express the grandiose
release of space precisely as Corbusier
intended.
9. The other various facades of the building also
bestow the free façade via brise – soleil formed
from the golden ratio.
Reinforced concrete columns are utilized
in a grid throughout the palace of the
assembly and are slightly altered to raise a
large swooping concrete form high above
the entrance. This form represents the
second point of le corbusier’s list – a free
façade.
Brise – soleil
Golden ratio
10. Corbusier’s desire for views is then apparent from all facades. The sun shading along
the offices provides a frame for inhabitants into the surrounding site while the portico
opens to the adjacent landscape and the distant Himalayas.
11. • The open plan structural grid of reinforced
concrete columns manipulates the program
freely and place offices and other private
programming along the outside of the plan
and leave the centre open for public use. On
top of the building lies an accessible roof
supported by the pilotis. Providing usable
space on the roof of a structure complies with
le corbusier’s fifth ideal of architecture by
giving occupants vertical means of connecting
to nature and compensating for the habitat
removed by the building.