Integrating architecture

speaks to a leading architect from Germany who has designs on Delhi's JLN Stadium.

The word aesthetics means being aware of, or recognising, or understanding something. The "identity" of anything eventually shows its content and makes it visible. It is quite the same with town planning and architecture, says Volkwin Marg, founder, von Gerkan, Marg und Partner Architects, better known as gmp (yes, that's the way the company writes its name).

"We find out the identity of a region, a town or a building to be built. The art and technology to be used has to join together and produce a baby. There has to be synthesis between the two," explains Marg.

He feels that while this point was quite self-explanatory earlier, today both these aspects usually fall apart. "This happened when architects and town planners were confronted with varied ideologies in the 20th century. Something quite similar happened in our social life as well. One particular aspect started to dominate "" bolshevism, fascism...many other isms, killing everything else," he says.

Modern architecture, according to him, lacks synthesis. So we see buildings which are either architecturally wonderful or engineering wonders. But both these aspects rarely co-exist together. Marg's work attempts to integrate both the aspects, thereby adhering perfectly to his philosophy. He reaffirms, "Art and engineering are two sides of the same coin and should not fall apart."

Luckily, Delhi is all set to see some of his work soon. His company, gmp, along with other partners, won the competition organised by the Delhi government in 2006 for the redesign and refurbishment of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN Stadium) and the Talkatora Stadium in Delhi.

The JLN Stadium has been planned as the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as for rugby and athletics events at the Commonwealth Games 2010 to be held in Delhi. The redesign of the existing "bowl shaped" structure and the roof by gmp will create a modern stadium, which reflects its tradition and historical roots at the same time. This would be in line with Marg's philosophy of identity.

In Delhi, the JLN Stadium is a landmark built for the 1982 Asiad Games. Its towering light posts can be seen from a distance. With the new redesign, there is a distinct possibility that these light posts might be a thing of the past, and soon a new white roof, courtesy Marg, will become its new symbol.

To understand the identity, says Marg, they would have to visit both stadia again and again. And while the surrounding landscape blends with the structure, one of Marg's top priorities includes keeping the landscape and the greenery intact.

At the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the old structure too will be kept intact. A rotating steel grid will spin around the stadium bowl in two separate layers, forming an inner and outer ring around the existing stand construction, without touching the original concrete structure. This expressive and iconic colonnade construction will carry the roof and the new access system, consisting of brand new ramps and stairs going between the two layers.

The idea is to not put any additional burden on the existing structure, which is already 25 years old. The new roof will use a heavy PTFE membrane, which is not flammable and is safe and easy to clean. This white translucent membrane is actually a very thick, strong artificial fabric and will last for another 25 years at least, says Marg.

The capacity of the stadium will cater to 57,000 spectators. And where do the lights go if the tall posts are removed? Those will be on the new ring and the new structure will house the lights all around, on the inside.

The main structural system that is being added will generate the new architectural character of the stadium. Another very interesting aspect, where again Marg's philosophy comes into focus, is how the tomb located right next to the stadium (representing archaeological heritage) will become part of the new improved image by integrating it into the structure without touching it.

On the inside, there might be many more changes like new seats, new kiosks in the galleries, swanky toilets, all depending on how quickly CPWD decides to implement these changes. We received no word from the CPWD project manager who is supposed to handle the stadia for the Commonwealth Games.

The Talkatora Stadium, which is set amidst thick vegetation, has also caught Marg's attention. A steel grid structure will be added on top of the elliptical stadium which will be completely covered except for the centre, which will be covered by a transparent sheet to allow light to come in.

The roof will not be able to move. We did ask Marg if there is a chance that provisions to move the roof (when required) may be put in. His reply: "In Delhi, it is either too hot or it is raining. Also, a moving roof requires a lot more money and it will be seen how much of it will be available." So, from a distance you will be able see a slightly curved covered top as the new Talkatora Stadium.

For Marg's gmp, these are not just one-off stadium projects. In fact, gmp has designed some of the most prominent stadia around the world and is also working on a few of them as we speak.

For the FIFA World Cup 2006, the company built the new Cologne, Berlin and Frankfurt football stadia, and for the upcoming 2010 version of the tournament in South Africa, the company is working on stadia in Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth respectively. The company catalogue also mentions the stunning new Olympic Sports Centre at Shenzhen, China, which is at a planning stage.

While the Delhi government and its various bodies makes plans to improve the city, it has to be done by integrating the cultural aspects of the city. Gmp is attempting to do just that, and that may not be a bad start for the city.