Case Studies Presentation 08-01-2014

8/13/2019 Case Studies Presentation 08-01-2014

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Institution in a Historic Context- Ujjain

Theory & Design Studio Semester 2

Cosmic ArchitectureCase Studies


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1. Buildings with astronomicalpurposes e.g.: Egyptian obelisks,

Stonehenge in England, Jai

Singhs observatories in north

India

2. Buildings which aredesigned as a result of

astronomical or cosmological

ideas, for example the

astronomer Tycho Brahes

Uraniborg Castle, the domes

of Christianity and Islam, and

examples of town planningsuch as Roman castrum or

the classical Chinese town.

3. Buildings which merelyadopt the metrical canon

arising from early astronomy

(right- angled buildings).

4. Buildings which do notconfirm to the X-Y-Z coordinate

system, for example Asiatic

Bamboo buildings or

Buckminster FullersDome.

The combination of astronomical knowledge with formal theories is detectable in the art and architecture of all cultures. Elementary

astronomical knowledge abstracted as a geometric concept formed the starting point and precondition for many architectural designs,

astronomy rarely served as a reason in itself for building. Division of buildings according to their relationship to astronomy:

Introduction | Astronomy and Architecture


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Prehistoric Models | Stonehenge

Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Stonehenge_(sun).jpg

Sight lines for Stonehenge III, c.

2000BC

Sight lines at the observatory of

Stonehenge I, c. 3100 BC.

Overall plan of

Stonehenge, c. 3100-

2000 BC.

Stonehenge, c. 3100- 2000 BC.

Astronomer G.S Hawkins in 1963 determined that the

Stonehenge was not only a site for performing rituals in the

Neolithic period, but the tops of the stones and the spaces

between them were linked to the position of the sun and moon at

equinoxes.


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Ancient Models | Egypt

In Egypt Rome and ancient

India, a pole which cast

shadows (gnomon) was used to

established north..

This small sundial from Egypt represents three different

monumental sundials.

Geometrical analysis of

sundial with horizontal

face.


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Ancient Models | Pyramid of Cheops

The triangular sides of the Cheops Pyramid (2650 BC.) near Cairo point in the direction of the four points of the compass and thepassage leading to the kingsburial chamber runs parallel to the earthsaxis

Image Source: www.gizapyramid.com/Image16, https://reader010.{domain}/reader010/html5/0621/5b2ad6be8e171/5b2ad6c30c6


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Mayan Models | Chichen Itza, Mexico

One of the most astonishing observatories in Central America, the so called Caracol in Chichen Itza, built in the 10thCentury AD, is

not merely a functional building but a sprawling architectural complex with wide steps and terraces in different heights.

Three narrow apertures are left open in the thick surrounding walls of the observation tower. The Mayans observed stars- by looking

diagonally through one of the openings in such a way that the inside edge of one side of the window jamb coincides with theexternal edge of the opposite side, then one is looking in case (1) directly south, in case (2) directly west to the point of the

equinoctial sunset, in case (3) at the point of moonset at the vernal equinox and in case (4) at the point of moonset at the summer

solstice.


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Medieval Models | Indian Sun Temples

Built for the Sun God, the SunWheelof this Hindu Sun Temple, at Konark, of the 13 thcentury had right angled axes of the compass

rose represented by pointing towards the points of a compass and the apparent orbit of the Sun, It is supposed to be an accurate

time telling instrument.


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Medieval Models | Uraniborg, Copenhagen

Site plan of Uraniborg, the observatory built

Danish Astronomer Tycho Brahe on the island

of Ven, c. 1580.

Tycho Brahes azimuthal

quadrant was constructed in

the same way as the

reconstructed azimuthal

quadrant on the roof theobservatory in Samarkand,

c.1580.

The castle and observatory built

by Tycho Brahe, c.1580. The

layout is imbued with geometrical

and astronomical symbolism.


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In India, in 1700s, reigned a King, who made a remarkable

difference as a King.

Maharaja Sawai jai Singh (1688-1743)

A Rajput King of Jaipur , Great Mathematician, Architect &

Astronomer

In 1719, he was witness to a noisy discussion in the court

of Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. The heated debate

regarded how to make astronomical calculations to determine an

auspicious date when the emperor could start a journey. This

discussion led Jai Singh to think that the nation needed to be

educated on the subject of astronomy. It is surprising that in the

midst of local wars, foreign invasions, and consequent turmoil,

Sawai Jai Singh found time and energy to build

astronomical observatories.

Indian astronomical architecture| Jai Singh II


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Alternative coordination systems for astronomical measurement

Jantar Mantar| Coordination systems


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Five observatories, termed as the Jantar Mantar, were built at Delhi, Mathura(in his Agra province), Benares, Ujjain (capital of his

Malwa province), and his own capital of Jaipur. Only the one at Jaipur is still operational. Relying primarily on Indian astronomy,

these buildings were used to accurately predict eclipses and other astronomical events. The observational techniques and

instruments used in his observatories were also superior to those used by European Jesuit astronomers he invited to his

observatories. Each observatory contains 12-13 instruments.

Purposemeasuring precisely position of stars, planets, sun, moon & zodiacal signs

Jantar Mantar| Introduction


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Jantar Mantar| Delhi

The Delhi Jantar Mantar is an enigma. Its huge and arresting forms evoke awe even today when architecture seems to consist

primarily of strange shapes and proportions.Anisha Shekhar Mukherjee in the book Jantar Mantar

1724 | 13 instruments


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Jantar Mantar | Jaipur

This archeoastronomical extravaganza is an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a

scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period.

1727-34 | 14 instruments


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Jantar Mantar| Benaras

Jantar Mantar is located on the roof of the Man Mahal Palace near to the Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi much above the water

level of the Ganges


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Yantras

4 major yantras

Samrat Yantra the great sun-dial Jaiprakash Yantra the cut-out bowl

Ram Yantra the cylindrical instrument

Shasthamsa Yantra the sextant

Other Yantras

Misra Yantra -

Unnatansha Yantra

Rashi Valaya Yantra

Narivalaya Uttargola Yantra

Dakshino Bhitto Yantra


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Jaiprakash Yantra

Samrat Yantra

Jantar Mantar| Instruments


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Unnatansha YantraRama Yantra



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Mishra Yantra



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References

Cosmic Architecture in India, The Astronomical monuments of Maharaja Jai Singh II by Andreas Volwahsen

Jantar Mantar, Maharaja Sawai Jai SinghsObservatory in Delhi by Anisha Shekhar Mukhrerjee

Thank You

Case Studies Presentation 08-01-2014

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