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.

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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

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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.

Plate: 4.7 The pathway and Wahalkada gradually converts psychological condition to suit to the space to be entered.

Crossing the entrance wahalkada completes the gradual psychological change taken place along the pathway. After that the person is in the sacred place where he was leading to. Therefore the entrance of Maha Saman Dewalaya acts as an effective intermediate space of transition. Plate : 4.8 Once crossing the entrance Wahalkada the first phase of the entrance procedure is completed.

EXPRESSIVE QUALITIES OF ENTRANCE AS A TRANSITIONAL SPACE.

The entrance space must be created deliberately to communicate intended meaning to avoid unintended improvisations. Thus, it has the potential to communicate intended meaning with the entrants through its signs and symbols, this space could be regarded as an 'expressive space'. That is to say, that it is an 'Architectural space' created by architects making the environment meaningful by annexing it to the purposes intended. Therefore, spatial progression of the entrance becomes fundamental property of that environment. The elements that give its psychological expression and other characteristics, and more usually be seen as an aspect of this spatial organization and at the same-time it becomes the organization of meaning, which is often expressed through its elements.

Like mentioned above, this particular entrance was created deliberately to communicate the meaning to the entrants". The width and length of the entrance pathway and the proportions, scale and the symbolic tiled roof of the

'Entrance Arch' gives the meaning to the entrance which help the people to sense the quality of the space which is to be entered. Therefore this created

'Expressive space' always acts in a series of symbolic mode providing messages, convey information about the appropriate form of behavior. 70

«

The proportions, scale and the symbolic filed roof of the 'Entrance Arch' acts in a series of symbolic mode convey the information about the appropriate form of behavior.

Therefore this particular entrance has a direct and determinate effect on the way people behave, thus it applies one way process in which this created environment, Maha Saman Dewalaya becomes independent and users behavior becomes dependent variable. Therefore this entrance is a well thought out design for a place like this where peoples psychological and physical condition must largely changed from street behavior to a sacred religious one.

Plate: 4.10

The entrance becomes independent

and users behavior becomes

dependent variable and controls the

behavior of the entrants. 71

5.3.3 - OLD PARLIAMENT COMPLEX.

BACKGROUND.

The British government built the old parliament building, which was the main administrative building in the Sri Lanka. Within this building the most of the countries' administrative decisions were taken it till the beginning of the 8th decade of the 20th century.

LOCATION.

The old parliament complex is situated in Colombo fort, which was the former administrative capital of Sri Lanka. The complex maintains adequate distance from the former colonial administrative buildings and comfortably located facing the Galle Face Green, which enhances the majestic quality.

THE ENTRANCE IN SPATIAL PROGRESSION.

The entrance is a consolidating point of the inside from outside, do transit the man physically and psychologically from one space to other in a gradual manner, demarcating the starting point of the series of spatial experiences.

I Plate: 4.11

The broad entrance stairway, which faces the main road demarcating the entry point or the starting point of the chain of spatial experiences. 72

Fig,4.5 - Location plan, Old parliament complex

•* 73

The old parliament complex is an exceptional built environment, which has put this theory into practice in a very sensitive manner. The broad entrance stairway, which faces the main road demarcating the entry point or the starting point of the chain of spatial experiences. The proportions, scale and the orientation of it also enhance the quality.

ENTRANCE AS AN INTERMEDIATE SPACE OF TRANSITION.

Entrance as a transition element between two realm is always of a special nature and significance. 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 adapt to the different conditions from the outside and the inside.

Plate: 4.12 The complex sits In a congested urban area and the entrance Is designed in such a way to transit the entrants within a given short distance in a very effective manner.

The above mentioned transition becomes complex once the given location is in a very congested urban area. The old parliament is a good example to study how such important public and administrative entrances and built environments must design. The wide series of steps of the building is the major element of the entrance, which acts as the breathing space between the outside and the inside. That shows how the elements like steps can be used as intermediate spaces. The staircase acts as a place of preparation and gradually converts the entrant psychologically to the inside environment. Once he walks up it gives enough time to adapt to the space inside to be entered. 74

Therefore the entrance of the old parliament is an exceptional example which displays the alternative ways which can be used in critical situations like urban environments.

THE EXPRESSIVE QUALITIES OF THE ENTRANCE AS A ' TRANSITIONAL

SPACE'.

Architecture also as a work of art evokes certain emotions of the perceiver and always expresses a meaningful message to kindle emotions of the perceiver. This emotions evoked may be varied from person to person and will depend upon the level of appreciation of the perceiver and his ability to receive what is expressed.

Therefore when designing a entrance of a public space which is a significant symbol of the whole country or nation, it must be designed in such a way to evoke the emotions of the whole community in general.

Therefore the architects of the complex has put their sensitivity and experience in to practice when designing the entrance and the front facade which combined together to achieve the required expressive quality. The entrance itself expresses the majestic quality, which indicate the public administrative activities taking place within the built environment. The well proportionate entrance stairway and the entrance door naturally transit the entrant physically and psychologically and prepare him psychologically to change his behavior to suit to the environment inside. 75

Plate: 4.15 The entrance door and the series of steps naturally transit the entrant physically and psychologically and prepare him to change his behavior.

Therefore this created ' Architectural space' acts in a series of symbolic mode providing series of messages, conveys information about the appropriate form of behavior and this particular entrance has a determinate effect on the way people behave within the built environment, thus, it applies one way process in which this created environment becomes independent and users behavior becomes dependant. Therefore the old parliament entrance generates mental and emotional states necessary to adjust users mind to the environment and prepares him to experience the series of spaces or chain of linked spaces coming up. 76

5.3.4 • NEW PARLIAMENT COMPLEX.

BACKGROUND:

When the elections of 1977 brought then the present government into power, one of its first decisions was to build a new parliament. This has also been considered necessary by previous governments and plans had been made by government architects for a site in the middle of Colombo. That decision was changed and Kotte, then an underdeveloped area in environs of Colombo which had been an important city in the immediate pre-colonial era was chosen as the new capital city of Sri Lanka; the new parliament building was now be sited there.

LOCATION.

The new parliament complex is situated in Sri Jayawardanapura, Kotte that is the new administrative capital of Sri Lanka. The complex is placed in the centre of the artificially created Diyawanna Lake.

THE ENTRANCE IN SPATIAL PROGRESSION.

The entrance as a transitional space, links two heterogeneous spaces gradually giving the required frame of mind, to explore the forthcoming spatial experience.

Plate: 4.16 The complex has a long pathway to

transit the

users gradually from outside to the inside.

> Fig.4.6 - Location plan, New parliament complex

In the new parliament complex the long pathway which bridges the out side and inside and the broads steps combined together to create the main entrance. Unlike in most of the other buildings this has a long distance to transit the users from outside to inside. Therefore it clearly demarcates the entry and indicates the starting point of the progressional spaces.

ENTRANCE AS AN INTERMEDIATE SPACE OF THE TRANSITION.

The entrance as an 'Architectural Space' consists of the elements start from the gate and followed by the path and the vital elements entrance porch, the main door, and entrance lobby. All these elements are tied up sequence to form the 'Architectural Space' and to act as the transitional space from the exterior and interior.

Plate: 4.17 The water through which the outsiders are entered eventually enhances the transitional aspect.

(Source

Geoffry Bawa)

The entrance of the complex with its main gate, the pathway the entrance stairway and the entrance lobby link together to create the 'breathing space' between outside and inside. It transits users mind from the fast moving urban setting outside to the calm yet majestic and dominating quality of environment inside. The water, one of the basic natural elements through which the outsiders are entered eventually enhances the transitional aspect. The wide series of steps at the main door which ends up the long pathway completes the phase one of the physical and the psychological transition and starts the phase two which is here the main door and the entrance lobby. so

Plate: 4.18 The series of wide steps at the main entrance completes the t^^mm , phase one of physical and psychological 4 >> • — situation.

THE EXPRESSIVE QUALITIES OF THE ENTRANCE AS A 'TRANSITIONAL

SPACE'.

" The experience of entering a building influences the way you feel inside the building. If the transition is too abrupt there is no feeling of arrival and the inside of the building fails to be an inner sanctum." [Alexander, Christopher - 1977: p550 ]

Plate: 4.19 The second phase of the entrance is the main door and the entrance lobby. The staircase and the lobby, which lead to the brass main door which, prepare the entrant to the environment to be entered. (Source : Geoffrey Bawa )

The transition of human mind is the most important function of the entrance space, as it conditions human mind from the loud, noisy, public, vulnerable and exposed feeling of the outside to the separate domain. If this transition is abrupt, sudden feeling of arrival to a different environment make the entrant uncomfortable within that environment.