Blogs
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Johny AJ
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July 11
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4 Minutes Read
Analysing the Architecture of Loyola College
Historical context –
The Loyola College is a prestigious educational institution located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It has a rich history that spans over a century. Founded by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), a Catholic religious order in 1925, the sprawling campus covers an approximate of 99 acres in Nungambakkam, Chennai. The main building of Loyola College i.e. the administrative block features an impressive façade with a combination of classical, colonial and gothic architectural elements.
Site level:
Approach –
The site has a frontal approach, which emphasises a powerful, prominent and striking entrance. It has been lain out purposefully in this fashion to grab its users attention towards it. This architectural strategy is frequently used in historical, governmental, or culturally significant structures, such as palaces, museums, offices of the government, or opulent public organizations.
Location of the road –
The college is approached from the east side of the property. The main access road to the college campus is Nelson Manickam Road. It serves as the main entry and exit point for all college-bound students, employees, and guests. This entryway is intended to be friendly and instantly recognizable. The configuration of the nearby road network, the availability of utilities and infrastructure, and the general convenience for commuters coming from different sections of the city may have all had an impact on the decision to choose the east side as the major approach.
Entrance typology –
The site has a primary entrance indicating that there is just one designated entrance for people to use to enter the campus. The entrance typology used is a recessed entrance. This is an architectural feature, in which the entrance is depressed or set back from the building wall's exterior facade. This type of enhances security and creates a friendly environment for visitors to the college.
Configuration of path –
The primary access pathway at the college is set up in a linearly ordered manner, which means that it travels in a straight line from the site entrance to the entrance of the main administrative building. From there, it diverges into further linear routes that take visitors to different campus buildings.
Approach –
The main building of the college features a frontal approach or a frontward facing side of the building with an entrance garden that is vibrant with greens & browns complementing each other. The frontal approach gives people entering the building a distinct and clear access point. It makes it simple to identify the main entrance and offers visitors, students, and staff an easy-to-follow route to the spaces in the building.
Entrances –
The building's entryway is projected and created to draw attention to itself. It acts as a distinctive architectural feature that attracts people walking up to the building and gives them a sense of arrival. The entryway is clearly visible and distinguishable from the rest of the building's façade due to the projecting entrance design. This proposed entry also has the practical function of providing a covered place for car drop-off.
Threshold –
The building has a threshold that resembles an enclosed elevated plane and directs a visual separation. The exteriors and interiors of the structure are easily distinguished by this design element.
The college buildings' floor plans feature a collection of rectangles that are arranged inside one another. The spaces inside the structures are arranged in a manner of functional hierarchy.
Form type –
The structure at Loyola College have a cuboidal shape in terms of form. This indicates that they primarily have a rectangular or box-like shape with crisp corners and straight lines. The cuboidal form is renowned for being straightforward, stable, and useful in architectural design.
The centralized position of the core in the admin block implies that it acts as the building's point of focus. The corridors often serve as a multi-functional space; act as informal gathering areas, connect the different levels in the building visually, and let plenty of natural light into the building.
Architectural expression –
The building appears to be spreading out, suggesting that it stretches horizontally down its length, forming a vast and striking façade. The building can maximize its impact and interact with the environment.
Robust and vivid edge definitions are used in the building's design to establish clear visual limits. This approach to designing makes the structure's edges vivid and defined thereby making them oblige into a unified architectural composition.
The structure has been designed with a sense of symmetry and balance thereby inducing a sense of harmony. A sense of formality, refinement, and conventional aesthetics is frequently evoked by symmetrical balance. In classical architecture, symmetry is highly appreciated for its aesthetic appeal and perceived feeling of order; it is a design idea that is frequently applied. The careful composition of projections and recessions that provide a textural visual.
There is a prominent usage of arches in the façade that add a dynamic quality to the overall composition. The curved form of arches introduces movement and flow, contrasting with the rectilinear elements of the building. This dynamic interplay between straight lines and curves adds interest and aesthetic richness to the architectural design.
The Elevation comprises of different arch types classified based on their level of existence. These include semi elliptical arches in the ground floor, flat arches in the first floor and semi-circular arches in the second floor while maintaining the same span. A sense of rhythm and harmony can be observed in the structure because of the repeated arch design.
Elaborate decorative detailing was a common characteristic of administration buildings. Intricate carvings, ornamental friezes, cornices, and relief work adorned the facades, adding richness and visual appeal to the buildings.
The building featured spacious verandas and arcades, which provided shade and a place for official gatherings or public interactions. These covered areas often had arched openings or colonnades, adding architectural interest and functionality.
The building has multiple openings and a good amount of wall to opening ratio, which enable the spaces to be effortlessly lit and thermally comfortable. The multiple clerestory windows, arcaded corridors, and the orientation of the building i.e. EW direction keeps it fresh and lit throughout the day.
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