Case Study

Virasat-e-Khalsa / Khalsa Heritage

Complex Anandpur Sahib, Punjab

Thesis coordinator
Submitted by:- (Ar. Ambrish gupta)
Ashmit kaur
Roll no.:- 08/2009
Sem. :- 9th Thesis Guide
Ar. Vijay L. Christopher
 INTRODUCTION
The khalsa heritage complex was designed to commemorate 300 years of one of the
nouvel religions and most vibrant cultures in indian history: THE SIKHS. The project has
been
designed by the internationally acclaimed architect , MOSHE SAFDIE.the complex is
intended to transform itself into a narrative of the history and culture of the sikhs.It has
been located overlooking the ancient fort of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last guru of
the sikhs at Anandpur sahib. The Khalsa heritage complex ,the first of its kind, will
provide a space in which the impassioned drama of this heritage shall unfold. “For the
sikhs, this
complex would serve as areaffirmation of roots. For the non sikh, it will be an
inspiring journey into a spirited culture, providing a fascinating insight into the sikh
faith and its history.
Anandpur sahib was founded by Guru Gobind singh baptized his first five ‘pyaras ’
coming from different regions and belonginf to different castes and established the order
of khalsa. Sri anandpur sahib, the holycity of bliss is one of the five important sacred
places.

Anandpur sahib is situated on the lower spurus of the shivaliks and has a picturesque
view of Naina Devi.this town is subdivision of roopnagar district of punjab situated
along the highway connecting chandigarh and bhakra nangal power and irrigation
complex. By road it is 80km from chandigarh, 35 km from Ropar and 21 km from
Nangal. Road leads to Naina devi which is 18 km away. It is also linked by railway line
running almost parallel to the highway there by making Anandpur sahib well connected
with prominent cities.

Location
Location Map
 Specifications
. Location : Anandpur sahib

. Architect : Moshe Safdie & Associates , Boston, USA

. Associate Architect : Ashok Dhawan, New Delhi

. Museum design : National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

. Construction : Larsen & Tourbo limited, India

. Client : Anandpur sahib Foundation Trust

. Accessibility : Fom main highway approx.1/2 km and

. about 1/2km from Gurudwara Kesgarh Sahib.

. Inception date : 1998-

01-01

. Total area : 100 acre

. Built up area : 40 acre

. Project cost : Total estimate cost including exhibits 224 crores

 HISTORICAL
SIGNIFICANCE
. This area was originally the ruins of an ancient place known as Makhowal named after
the demon makho. It was later Shri Guru Teg Bahadur purchased this place and
renamed Anandpur in 1664. It signified the banishment of all evil and ushering in an era
of blissful joy. Guru Gobind Singh ji succeded Guru Teg Bahadur and establishes
Anandpur fort and stayed here for 25 years. Based here he fought many wars against the
Mughal Empire.He constructed number of forts to defend people. They were keshgarh ,
Anandgarh,Fatehgarh, Lohgarh.

. Anandpur Sahib is sandwiched between Kiratpur Sahib another sacred township of

the sikhs and Naina devi-a place for pilgrimage for punjabi hindus. Hence this area is
held sacred by all punjabis. Where as Anandpur Sahib is a natural halting for pilgrims
going to their pilgrimage to Kiratpur sahib.
 ABOUT THE COMPLEX
• Khalsa Heritage Complex is a new museum of the sikh people located on a 100acre site
in the holycity of Anandpur sahib.
• The museum celebrates 500 years of sikh history and the 300th anniversary of the khalsa
, the scriptures written by the last and tenth Guru Gobind Singh, founder of the modern
sikh faith.
• The complex is located on a plateau and situated on a 75-acre site, straddles two sides of
a ravine and overlooks the ancient fort of Guru Gobind Singh,the second holiest temple
to Amritsar.

• The 23.225 sq.m museum complex,which rises 20m on either side of the ravine,
is organized into two main buildings that are connected via a pedestrian bribge.

• As far as possible,the natural landscape has been left untouched and the structure
has been ‘fitted’ into the natural topography.

• Another feature affecting the siting of the building was the presence of the Gurudwara
in the vicinity of the structure.

• As a result, the complex had to be sited in such a way so as not to become

too overpowering in relation to the surrounding monuments.
 Facilities Provided
. The zones have been divided as:
Complex A
Complex B
Complex C
. COMPLEX - A
Auditorium
Library
Temporary exhibit gallery
Meeting rooms
Mechanical rooms

. COMPLEX - B
Cafeteria
Kitchen

. COMPLEX - C
Permanent exhibit building
Heritage building
Petal building
Office areas
stores
 Features
. A public restaurant is planned within the bribge structure.
. The floor of the ravine forms the centrepiece of the complex
• The buildings are to be clad in buff coloured sandstone and roofed in stainless steel
that reflect the southern sunlight towards the Gurudwaras..
• Strong geometric forms of walls,which include curved and rectangular fshapes,
contrast with the amorphous forms of the surrounding cliffs.

Buff colored sandstone facade

Stainless steel roofing

• The pedestrian bridge is carefully designed by the architect by placing the canopy on
the opposing direction of the southern sunlight.

• While walking on the bridge, 70% of the complex is clearly seen and 30% of the
complex is obstructed by the canopy.

• The architect designed the canopy by taking the concept of interest in mind rather than
the shelter from the south sun.
 Complex A (western complex)

• The western complex forms the

gateway from the town of Anandpur
sahib to the museum.
• The north wing bridges a second ravine
and accommodates changing exhibition
galleries and meeting rooms.
• The arcade along the inside or eastern
face of the complex leads to the
auditorium building.
• On the other side of the piazza is a
two level library building.
• The structure of the complex is made up of concrete bearing walls and virendeel trusses.
• The walls ascending from the ravine level also clad with weather resistant sandstone.
• The library having a covered area of 2230sq.m
• The 400 seated auditorium having covered area 1980 sq.m split into three levels.
• The organization who want to put up their exhibitions for short durations shall be
offered space in temporary exhibit gallery having a covered area of 1373 sq.m
• Lower floor Plan of complex a has, library/reading (room which is also a audio
room), electrical room, mechanical, switch gear room, receiving area,, loading
unloading area, stores, green room an toilets

bridge
 Complex B
. It mainly consist of pedestrian bridge, cafeteria and kitchen block
. The 165m long end wide pedestrian bridge, which is connecting complex A & C,
primarily consists of four independently tied arches (three 33m long and one 27m long).
. Cafeteria and kitchen blocks consist of cafeteria of covered area as 1424 sqm. The
founding level of café dining is 3 1 6 . 4 m .

View of cafeteria from c

 Complex C (Eastern Complex)
Entry
Entrance lobby
. Exhibits
Grand stair
Reception
Gift/bookshop
Offices
Conference rooms
Lounge
Workshop/storage
lab
Restrooms
Arcade
Open terrace
Reflecting pool
LOWER LVL PLAN

Heritage museum
Media exhibit building
Permanet exhibit building
Mechanical rooms
Electrical rooms
Reception
Storage space
Workshops
Labs
Lecture and meeting space
Book storage
Gift shops
Offices planters grand stairs
UPPER LVL

.
 . Permanent, exhibit building which is also called crescent, building, heritage museum,
media exhibit i.e the petal shape building and entrance lobby
. The covered area for the building is 17, 151 sqm.
. Foundation level is 311.5m and top level of highest roof is 356.15m.
. This complex has a total no. of 3 lifts.

Plan
View
. The structure consists of arcade, receiving dock, mechanical/electrical room, reception,
storage space, workshops, labs, lecture and meeting space, book store, gift shops,
offices,
toilets, exhibit galleries, planters and grand stairs.
. The whole building is divided into 3 levels:
lowest level- 319m
then at level-324m
the highest floor level is at- 330m

Level 330
Level 324
Level 319
. The petals in the crescent building will cover the lifespans of Guru Hargobind,
Guru Harrai, Guru Harkrishan, Guru Tegbahadar, Guru Gobind Singh and Gurta
Gaddi.
. The galleries at the lower level (324 floor lvl) will chronicle the trails, tribulations
and triunphs of the khalsa.
 . Heritage museum, also known as boat building has plan area 1780 sqm
. It consists of a ramp which start from 321m and goes up till 327.60m
. The long span of the building shall be filled with water to get the reflecting
effect. . The structure is RCC shear wall with inside ramp of prestressed concrete.
. The foundation lvlis 308.5 m and the top of roof is 330.6 m.
. The concept behind giving water body on the ground floor level is that it will be
reflected in the ceiling which is made of glass thus making a visitor clueless about the
actual height of the building.

Entranc
e/ Exit
UP
. Visitors entering the museum by crossing the bridge may spend sometime in a small
open courtyard dotted with human scale manikins with embedded sound that provide a
glimpse into the lives of the sikh Diaspora across the globe.
• The foyer , open on all sides , is the hub of the arriving and departing visitors.
• Large plasma screens orient visitots in three languages on how to derive the
maximum benefit from the museum.
• The information centre here is a pivotal point to orient visitors to the museum complex.
• It also provides various facilities such as multilingual audio and printed gallery guides.
 Technicalfeatures
• The structure is designed to cover all the seismic aspects which are applicable for India.
• Columns and beams- fair faced concrete casted in single.
• Columns- no shuttering joints.
• Beams - limited, only in pattern shuttering ply imported from finland for more
length, thickness and smoothness.
• Electricity from 132 kv sub station of PSEB

More than
2800
lighting
fixtures

Expansion joints coversfrom USA to ensure complete leakproofing

 Landscaping
• Water, which is abundantly available has been incorporated as a
major element in the landscaping scheme.
• The floor of the ravine forms the centre piece of the complex.
• As far as possible, the natural landscape and topography has been maintained.
• The sand cliffs facing the town, terrace gently towars the ravine forming
a series of terraced gardens and arcades towars the water..
 conclusions
Good points:
. The museum as a whole complex is very well designed.
. Spaces of the complex have been worked out beautifully.
. The concept of the design does not lack in one’s interest from the subject.
. The natural beauty of the location have been used at its fullest.
. Water bodies create a different environment for the visitors.
. The function and esthetics together have been developed very well.