What is contextual response in architecture? How to respond to context? What are the different ways to construct an addition in an old/ heritage structure? . Photos and data courtesy: Google, Archdaily, Journal by Ar. Nikhil Sanghvi

1. CONTEXTUAL RESPONSE IN
ARCHITECTURE
SY - A
B.Arch

2. Building in Context is an important tool to enhance new development proposals so that
they respond well to the historic area, local context and wider surroundings.
It includes making certain that the building echoes many of the architectural themes of
neighbors. It is a philosophy of design that suggests, by implication at least, that it may
better to be discreet than to be original.
Context is defined as the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs
In the words of Frank Gehry, "Architecture
should speak of its time and place, but
yearn for timelessness." Architecture
should be connected to when and where it
is being built, and yet, it should still stand
out
In a rich context, architecture has to
respond to the whole rather than being
an entity in itself; in such cases, context
or the buildings coherence has an impact
on the surroundings which may enhance,
degrade or have no visible effect on the
architectural character of the
surroundings.
Georges Pompidou Centre (Paris, France)

3. A deep understanding of the surrounding fabric
helps in encouraging a context sensitive
approach. A few buildings, all existing in a
historically rich context, were chosen and
studied based on the parameters shown
alongside.
Raas Haveli (Jodhpur, India), Raghukul
(Jodhpur, India) and Umaid Heritage
(Jodhpur, India) respond to the context in a
positive manner; whereas
Georges Pompidou Centre (Paris, France)
intentionally opposes it and The Louvre
(Paris, France) strikes a balance between
contrast and context
Umaid Bhavan Palace
(Jodhpur, India)
Raas Haveli
(Jodhpur,
India)

4. MUSEUM OF LOUVRE
The Louvre Pyramid maintains relationship with the height of the museum and harmony
with its symmetry. It also forms a direct visual link between the old and the new. It is one
of the best examples of balance between contrast and context.

5. JEWISH MUSEUM, BERLIN / Daniel Libeskind
It was the act of using architecture as a means
of narrative and emotion providing visitors with
an experience of the horrifying effects of the
Holocaust on both the Jewish culture and the
city of Berlin.
Conceptually, Libeskind wanted to express
feelings of absence, emptiness, and
invisibility – expressions of disappearance
of the Jewish Culture.

6. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO / Gehry Partners
Constructed of titanium, limestone, and glass, the seemingly random curves of the exterior
are designed to catch the light and react to the sun and the weather.
Set on the edge of the Nervión River in Bilbao, Spain, the Guggenheim Museum is a fusion
of complex, swirling forms and captivating materiality that responds to an intricate
program and an industrial urban context.

7. Subtly echoing Kahn’s building in height, scale
and general layout, the RPBW building has a
more open, transparent character. Light, discreet
yet with its own character, setting up a dialogue
between old and new.
PIANO PAVILLION AT KIMBELL ART MUSEUM,TEXAS
The new Piano Pavilion accommodates the
museum’s growing exhibition and education
programs, allowing the original Kahn building to
revert to the display of the museum’s permanent
collection.
The Kimbell Art Museum’s original building was
designed by Louis Kahn in 1972.
The new building by RPBW was recently
inaugurated and establishes a close, respectful
and frank dialogue with this powerful yet delicate
older building.