RIC’s ‘square’ design based on Navagraha

JAIPUR: The majestic structure of the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) to be inaugurated by chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday has been designed on a square module based on the Hindu mythology of Navagraha.

What’s more, around 10 years back, a Jaipur-based architect had designed it sitting around 10,000 kilometre away in the Australian harbour city of Sydney.

In 2012, the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) had organised a competition where 17 renowned architects from all over India participated. On September 19, 2012, the screening committee formed by JDA, selected Pramod Jain’s design as the best and appointed his firm as the consultant architect for this RIC, then known to be Jaipur Habitat Centre.

“I had designed the building based on the square module of Navagraha of the Hindu mythology. At the centre of this square, you would find the skylight just like the chowks (courtyard) in traditional Rajasthani havelis. This skylight channels the sun’s glare and represents the power of Brahma. Even all floors the building has been divided into nine squares. Its nomenclature as Bishnu energising the entire building,” Jain told TOI, sitting at his office on Moti Road in Bapu Nagar.

Another problem to design this structure was the layout of the land. Located a few metre away from the OTS Crossing towards the Jhalana Bypass side, the length of land stretches on the North-South direction.

Jain explained that since the length of the land is in a North–South direction, it would have ideal to design a structure where the outer façade faces the east or the west direction. However, since there’s a school building on the eastern side, it was ideal that the façade faces the west overlooking the JLN Marg.

“Now everybody has an idea of the infamous desert sun of Rajasthan during the summer months. So, we had decided to construct three building blocks joined together on the North-South axis at an angle of 45 degree (not perpendicular or straight at 90 degree). And, at the same time, included a huge pillar on the front (west side) of main façade. This design would reduce the harsh effect of sunrays during summer months,” added Jain.

“I was at my son’s place in Sydney for two months when the competition took place. Being the son of the soil, I decided to take part as I know what this city wants and is completely accustomed with the city’s topography. 30-years after Jawahar Kala Kendra was constructed this is another architectural gem,” 74-year-old Jain said.