Vandana Taluru
Geometries of Demolition
Materiality, Demolition
The idea of the thesis is to reconsider/question the methods of demolition in architectural practice of structures built in the post-modernist era of India. In doing so create an architectural memory project that acknowledges the loss of a modern heritage building through the geometrics of it’s demolition.
While one might question the very need for demolition, this thesis considers an architectural landmark of the new, post-colonial India and its unfortunate demolition that was down overnight. The hall of nations by Raj Rewal was built to serve as an exhibition space in 1972. The distinct architectural language of the triangles and space frame roof set geometrical language that determines the language of the rest of the project.
aim is to reassess the digital processes and mechanical production methods that have evolved over the last century, use these processes to breaking repetitive, reproductive and recognizable patterns. Pairing unlikely tools and materials, the goal to create something raw or ornate, hopefully naturalized and information dense, and to do so within the constraints of a capitalist system. Can we use a digital input, with mechanical labor to have an analogue output where we see patterns but we also see randomness, imperfections and imprints?
The project works with the language of the original building along with geometries extracted from it’s demolition to create an exhibition space that evokes moments and memories of a lost monument while encouraging us to critically examine the societal values that prioritize efficiency over all else.
Render - Axon
Drawings
Model Photo
Detail Section
Model Photo