The Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur, India was designed by architect Charles Correa in 1986 based on the original city plan of Jaipur consisting of nine squares arranged around a central open space. The complex uses the concept of the nine classical planets ("Navagraha") in Hindu astrology, with each building or space associated with and designed according to the characteristics of a particular planet. This includes the colors, materials, landscaping, and functions of the spaces. The complex promotes Indian art and culture and houses facilities like a library, art galleries, workshops, and an open air theater.

1. JAWAHAR KALA KENDRA
AAYOJAN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, JAIPUR . SUMIT RAINA
B.ARCH (PART TIME) SEMISTER – II DATE: 16-04-2011 ART STUDIO

2. AAYOJAN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, JAIPUR . SUMIT RAINA
B.ARCH (PART TIME) SEMISTER – II DATE: 16-04-2011 ART STUDIO

3. Historical ideology &
planning concept
Mharaja Jai Singh who built the fabled
pink city was moved by two seemingly
conflicts set of ideas. One of them was
ancient Navgrah ( the module of nine
planets). Thus the pink city of Jaipur
somewhere was past of Indian art which
was later discovered by Late shri
Jawahar lal Nehru thus this art centre is
dedicated to him.
The plan was prepared by the noted
architect Charles Correa in 1986 and the
building was ready in 1991. The plan is
inspired by the original city plan of Jaipur,
consisting of nine squares with central
square left open. layout plan
The well endowed library of the Jawahar Kala Kendra treasures numerous books and from the beginning of the JKK, the
documentation of the Arts and Crafts have been done by the officals of JKK under the able guidance of Dr. Chandramani
Singh. Ms. Singh is an art historian and has a vast experience in this field. Jawahar Kala Kendra also includes a museum
namely ‘Alankar’. This ’Indigenous Art and Craft Museum’’ showcases the art, culture and visual heritage of indigenous
Rajasthan. This museum has been conceptualised by Mr. Abdul Lateef Usta- a Heritage expert and Museuologist of
international repute.
The whole complex is itself a unique design & concept in the architectural industry especially the concept of nine squares
as ‘ Navgrah’
AAYOJAN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, JAIPUR . SUMIT RAINA
B.ARCH (PART TIME) SEMISTER – II DATE: 16-04-2011 ART STUDIO

4. Each square was linked to the planet as per the
characteristics of the particular planet and its
astrological values and the functionality of the
square.
This Navgrah concept with its energy values their
favorable colour, quality and the favourable
functionality to the each planet with square kept in
mind while designing and allocation of spaces.
Partly open courtyards and the traditional design
elements of Rajasthan have been incorporated in
the complex.
The landscaping was also done as per
planets astrological values in the whole
complex in each square wherever was
required
AAYOJAN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, JAIPUR . SUMIT RAINA
B.ARCH (PART TIME) SEMISTER – II DATE: 16-04-2011 ART STUDIO

5. Sandarbh i.e Library
The whole complex in itself has a unique design & concept in the
architectural industry, the concept of nine squares as ‘ Navgrah’.
Each square was linked to the planet as per the characteristics of the
particular planet and its astrological values and the functionality of the
square.
This particular square was linked with ‘Jupiter’ the characteristics were
matched in such a way
Linked planet ‘Jupiter’
Favorable colour lemon yellow
Quality of the planet Knowledge
Functionality allotted Library
Library view showing the
Pond area and pergola
Part plan of library
Favorable colour
As and when the square was representing the planet ‘Jupiter’ the
astrological value was kept in consideration.The favorable colour of
this planet was lemon yellow so the square was treated with yellow
colour in the external finishing and the water body was added in the
Library view with full glazing partially open area to make the environment more lively.
AAYOJAN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, JAIPUR . SUMIT RAINA
B.ARCH (PART TIME) SEMISTER – II DATE: 16-04-2011 ART STUDIO

6. Play with light and shadow
The second most significant feature which was been adopted
in this particular square was the spectacular play with the light
and the shadow. As the the square was partially open to sky
and the particular side had the full height glazing in it the partial
open roof was treated with the architectural feature ‘ pergolas’.
The cut out was designed in such a way that the corridor will
alwayz remain in shade and has the pond in corner which
would reduce the effect of the harsh sun to the library.
Use of local
material
The spanning between
beams was designed and
kept such that the local
material available like
wooden bamboo sticks
could be used to
complete the entire space
frame.
AAYOJAN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, JAIPUR . SUMIT RAINA
B.ARCH (PART TIME) SEMISTER – II DATE: 16-04-2011 ART STUDIO

7. Madhyavarti i.e Open air theatre
The theatre was located and placed so well
in layout and planned that the rest of 8
square were well connected to the central
open theatre and the best part of it were the
stepped platforms which could be used as
seating areas. The same were surrounded
by the 8m high walls and the design
stepping was incorporated in the corners of
two walls to make them more interacted to
each other.
Central core open air theatre
The stepping and the
walls were cladded with
red sandstone the locally
available material the
theater was opening
into the library ,
Vehicular entrance
,gallery and workshop as
shown.
AAYOJAN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, JAIPUR . SUMIT RAINA
B.ARCH (PART TIME) SEMISTER – II DATE: 16-04-2011 ART STUDIO

8. Tilam food court
The food court has been the excellent
example of the traditional rural architecture
of Rajasthan. The structure has been made
in brick masonary then later finished with
the mud and the roof has been framed in
MS circular pipes and then covered with
fibre sheet both framework in MS and fibre
sheet have been finished with the local putty
to give it a rural effect.
The art work on
walls, planning
and the sitting
arrangement on
floor ‘baithak‘
was designed to
set an excellent
example of our
rural and cultural
eithics in India
Traditional art work
AAYOJAN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, JAIPUR . SUMIT RAINA
B.ARCH (PART TIME) SEMISTER – II DATE: 16-04-2011 ART STUDIO

9. Today, when we are running so fast after the
western culture and traditions somewhere we
have lost the significance of our own
traditions and culture and such ideas may
give some headway to make the future
generations atleast to know their past culture
and living.
Sitting in open with canopy
‘Baithak’
AAYOJAN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, JAIPUR . SUMIT RAINA
B.ARCH (PART TIME) SEMISTER – II DATE: 16-04-2011 ART STUDIO