design | sadar manzil precinct development planning
Adaptive Re-use of Old Bhopal Heritage
Old Bhopal, Mahdya Pradesh, India
In the historic downtown of Bhopal, defined by occidental and oriental styles of architecture, lies the marvelous corridor of heritage buildings along the main lake. One of the heritage structures in the corridor, Sadar Manzil, is now being used as the municipal headquarter of Bhopal. Opposite to Sadar Manzil complex, the ‘U’ shaped building is characterized by two grand gateways extending from its dilapidated built mass, which is used partially as offices of public departments. A courtyard space sits between the two publicly underused buildings, creating a precinct desperately in need for conservation. It is proposed to re-vitalize the site by careful adaptive re-use, linking the livelihoods of the area (with an ever depleting economic base) with the same.
urban development planning, collaboration with local university, schematic design proposal and presentation of retrofit
Rooftop view: Upper Lake, Bhopal
Main gate: threshold to Sadar Manzil courtyard
Historical presence: neighboring temple, balcony cupola
Existing building conditions: 20 years of abandonment
Main atrium: collapsed ceiling
Main gates: views from upper storey of gates
Existing building: retrofit and re-use
Schematic planning: ground level
Schematic planning: second level
Design development: site plan
Design development: ground floor plan