Jawahar Kala Kendra and its underlying Vastu Influence.
Source: hiddenarchitecture.net
The multi-arts centre located at the Pink city was built under the guidance of the Rajasthan Government with the intention of preserving Rajasthani arts and centre. The basic plan of the project was inspired by the original city plan of Jaipur. The notable architect Charles Correa designed this project in the year 1986 and the construction was completed by 1992. In 1993, the multi-arts centre was open for various programs and activities. The design of Kala Kendra, Jaipur is appreciated worldwide for the multiple stories it has got to share right from the entrance till the exit and even the corners counting for that matter.
The main building comprises six exhibition galleries, an open-air theatre, auditoriums, dormitories, and a coffee house. It is designed in a peculiar way that each section of the building represents the characteristics of the respective planet. The murals from Jain mythology, the charts and paintings on the ceiling of the central dome quotes an exceptional feature of Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur.
Source: hiddenarchitecture.net
The ancient Indian architectural system of Vastu Shastra has been a predominant influencing factor in Kala Kendra's design and construction process.
Charles Correa's plan for Jawahar Kala Kendra directly takes influence from Vastu Shastra, as he wanted to bring in a connection between the various natural forces and the approach to architecture. Charles Correa was keen on incorporating the underlying energies with the architectural structure he intended to build. His knowledge about the Vastu Purusha Mandala was enormous and he was successful in understanding and fusing the same with the original site plan of Jaipur through the nine square mandala design of the Jawahar Kala Kendra. This also answers the question of why Charles was keen on exactly using the nine square mandala and not the others (Jaipur's city plan is in a nine square structure).
This particular work of Charles is important not just because of the success of maintaining the balance between ancient science and modern architecture but because of the significant way it creates an experience of living the ancient science in navigating and interacting through the spaces.
Source: cdn.britannica.net
On a closer studying of the project, we get to know that the building more or less represents human beings and the numerous emotions experienced by a human mind. This living and breathing experience was brought in by the right usage of elements and spacing as per the Vastu principles. This project is noted for many things and Vastu compliance of the structure ranks among the list.
"Market forces, do not make cities, they destroy them".
- Charles Correa