BHOPAL WAR MEMORIAL
Government of Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
2008
653,400 sqft
Cultural, Public Infrastructure
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The design for the war memorial was a departure from the triumph monumentalism associated with such structures. By weaving layered narratives of war and peace that invited reflection,we sought to crystallize the memorialization process in a spatial and emotional experience instead of a representative object backed by a formal standing. The design sought to create a juxtaposition between the diametrically different geographies and landscapes to invite the visitor to actively engage and discover rather than just passively observe. It creates a sequence of evocative but poignant moments, laden with metaphors to communicate personal and national grief to commemorate sacrifice and celebrate valour culminating at a two dimensional edifice of stone, water and fire.
The architectural design creates a sequence of evocative but poignant moments, laden with metaphors to communicate the grief, both personal and national, to commemorate sacrifice and celebrate valour, to culminate at a two-dimensional edifice of stone, water and fire.
We see the process of expanding urban boundaries and encroachment on agricultural land as a continuing loss of cultural identity and the erosion of our spiritual connection to our land. Keeping this in mind, we proposed farmlands instead of manicured gardens
The gradient of the site allows for a memorial wall which measures about 21ft at the highest point and merges into the land and into a contemplation pool.
The sloping wall dramatically accentuates the otherwise gradual slope of the site, playing with the visitors sense of perception.
The landscape that stretches on the east of the guide wall, beyond the ramp is intended as active farmland whose produce will become a souvenir for the visitor to take back home. The landscape on the west of the wall by contrast is manicured and orderly echoing the discipline of the armed forces.
