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Chapter Four Examination 57 CHAPTER FOUR EXAMINATION 57 EXAMINATION. 4.1 • INTRODUCTION. In the previous chapter the role of entrance in spatial progression. The function of entrance as a intermediate space of transition was discussed in a theoretical basis through a literature survey. And it is essential to test and prove the validity of the theory in practical situation in a study of this nature. Therefore this chapter is reserved to examine and test the validity of the theoretical base in existing environments. The examination is done mainly through observation, and through a photographic survey to a certain extent. The selected practical examples are examined and presented in written form and through a photographic survey. The basis of selection of practical examples is clarified below. 4.2 - BASIS OF SELECTION OF THE CASE STUDIES. Entrance is the main element of any built form specially in public spaces which acts as a transitional space from the outer world to the inner territory. The role of public entrance was evolved through out the history responding to the changing cultural needs and attitudes. This is an important and a significant factor, which affects a human beings attitude and the life style. Therefore it eventually changes the built environments which accommodate the activities of man. Therefore the role of the main entrance which is one of the key elements of the built environment also changes with the time. Therefore the selection of case studies were done in a manner to have a cross section through the history from grand tradition to the present in order to study the changing role of entrance with changing life styles of the people in different eras, which would help the designers to design the next millennium entrances with a proper base. 58 4.3 - CASE STUDIES. 4.3.1 - LIONS PAW- SIGIRIYA. BACKGROUND. According to Mahawansa, Sigiriya kingdom was done by king Kashyapa (477- 495 AD) and his master-builders gave the site its present name, "Simha-giri" or "Lion-mountain". One of Asia's major archaeological sites, "Sigiriya" presents a unique concentration of fifth-century Urban planning, Architecture, Gardening, Engineering hydraulic technology and Art and this is one of the best examples of the ancient town planning in the world. The way the designers incorporated the natural elements to the design and the way they combined the linear arrangements and organic shapes are highly appreciated by the archeologists and the architects. One of the major elements of the whole kingdom is the Lions Paw which separates the summit (king's private domain) and the other administrative areas. The form, scale, orientation and the location of the Lion's paw shows the skill and sensitivity of the designer. LOCATION. Sigiriya is situated in the northwestern province. It 60 miles southeast of Anuradhapura. The Lion's paw was basically designed to separate the summit, the king's highly administrative and private areas and the other common administrative areas of the palace complex. Therefore it was the starting point of the series of spaces progressed towards the peak point of the summit as well as the peak point of the administrative structure of the kingdom. Therefore the role of this entrance has to be very significant and it has to give the correct impression to the users to where they were leading to. This specific entrance also must be able to change the behavior of the people to suit to the situation. At the same time it has to be the perfect element, which separate the outside and the inside. 60 1. Outer Moat and Rampart 2. Mapagala Complex 3. Outer City Fig.4.2 • City plan of Sigiriya 4. Inner Moat and Rampait 5. Entrances 6. Water Gardens 7. Boulder Gardens 8. Terrace Gardens 9. Mirror Wall and Paintings 10 Lion Platform 11. Palace at the summit 12. Inner City, Ramparts and Gates 13. Lake 01 he way the designer resolved the problem gave the birth to one of the highly appreciated piece of Sri Lankan architecture. LION'S PAW AS AN INTERMEDIATE SPACE OF TRANSITION. The Lion's Paw as a transition element between two realms is of a special nature and significance. As it was mentioned this transition is very important because it is recognized as some kind of 'in between' a breathing space between the outside and the inside, a place of preparation, where a person change his frame of mind. Normally if the transition is abrupt, sudden feeling of arrival to a different environment make the entrant uncomfortable thus he may not be able to adjust himself to suit that environment and behave particular way. But in this special setting the intermediate space transit the people psychologically within a very short distance. The designer used the proportions and the scale of the entrance in a much skilled way to transit the people. The height and breath against the width of the entrance and the texture of the surface were combined together to produce the required environment. Plate : 4.1 Lions paw as an intermediate space between the common areas and the highly administrative area ( Summit) transit the entrant psychologically within a very short distance using it's orientation, proportions and the texture ( Source : The Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.) 62 Plate: 4.2 Texture and the proportion which enhance the feeling of entering. ( Source : Parani Godanagili Doratu.) THE EXPRESSIVE QUALITIES OF THE LION'S PAW AS A TRANSITIONAL SPACE. As mentioned in the previous chapter, whatever elements used in the entrances to communicate intended meaning it will not serve the purpose if it does not have good composition. This composition of elements of any space is governed by the 'grammar' of the design and it will generate the power of the elements to act as a meaningful unit. The correct use of grammar of design leads to sense in architecture. Therefore, architectural language can be considered as a media which is used to convey a message. In architectural language, symbolic elements become the vocabulary and grammatical use of vocabulary will lead to sense. Therefore, vocabulary elements, grammar- principle and other factors like scale, proportion etc. become the generators of the expressive qualities of the entrance space. Therefore in Lion's Paw the composition of the elements is in such a way where it communicate the message perfectly to the entrants. The design and planning of Sigiriya as a whole is a magnificent work of art where each element of the design acts as a meaningful unit. 63 Plate : 4.3 Areal view of Sigiriya. The design and planning of Sigiriya as a whole is a magnificiant work of art where each element of the design acts as a meaningful unit. ( Source : The Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.) The composition of the Lion's Paw and its proportions and scale in relation to the Sigiriya rock in the background, itself communicate the meaning to the user. And the symbol of the paws of a Lion which gives the majestic appearance to the entrance. As the Lion was considered as a symbol of power and majesty, without using its head or mouth, which commonly used at that era, the architect used Lion's Paws to achieve the required environment in the given context. Plate: 4.4 The composition, proportions and scale of Lions paw in relation to the Sigiriya. Rock itself communicates the expression of the power to the entrant. ( Source : The Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.) Plate : 4.5 The Lion was considered as a symbol of power and majesty. Therefore the architect used Lion's Paw to achieve the required expression. ( Source : The Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.) 65 4.3.2 - MAHA SAMAN DEWALAYA - RATHNAPURA. BACKGROUND. Rathnapura Maha Saman Dewalaya was built during the Kandyan period where the buildings were not huge as the grand tradition buildings, but still possessed identical qualities to the era. Those have the influence of South- Indian architecture also. Basically they were low scale tiled roof buildings designed responding to the climate conditions. LOCATION. Maha Saman Dewalaya is situated in Rathnapura City in Sabaragamuwa province and bordered by the Kalu Ganga. ENTRANCE TO THE DEWALAYA AS AN INTERMEDIATE SPACE OF THE TRANSITION. The outer space and inner space have two different qualities that are produced by different expressive qualities unique to different environments. The intermediate space depends on the outer and inner space, with their uses, values and scale. The intermediate space is to share common relationship between these two spaces and link them, providing smooth transition merging the outer space with the inner space. It can be noticed from very ancient times that a combination of pathway and gate were used in religious spaces, as entrances. This transition is very important because it is recognized as some kind of 'in between' a breathing space between the outside and inside, a place of preparation, where a person change his frame of mind and adapt to the different conditions from the loud, noisy vulnerable exposed feeling of the outside to the quiet, intimate and sacred feeling inside. 66 68 Plate : 4.6 The pathway which ends at Wahalkada create an 'in between', a place of preparation where a person changes his frame of mind and adapt to the intimate and sacred feeling inside. Here the entrance consists with a pathway and a Wahalkada (Entrance arch) The pathway is a wide and straight one and visual goal of this approach is the entrance gate or Wahalkada. Therefore these two combined together creates an intermediate space between the temple and the world outside. The pathway gradually converts the entrant's psychological condition to suit to the space to be entered.
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