Case Study
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
Mumbai
Selection Criteria
Similar and recent example of Legislative Assembly in an Urban Context in India.
General Introduction
The State Assembly in Mumbai was built in
1981 to house the summer sessions of the
Maharashtra Assembly, while winter
sessions continue to be housed in the old
Assembly Building in Nagpur. This recent
Legislative Assembly building is located in
the midst of imposing skyscrapers at
Nariman Point. The main Secretariat
Building falls across the Madam Cama Road:
since there is no direct contact between the
two government buildings, it is difticult to
access one building from the other.
Aerial view of Assembly Building
from South
Site and Climate Photo: wonderuimumbai. com
The present council hall stands on plot no.
241, 242& 243 of Back Bay Reclamation no.
3. Total area of all plots is 12,925sqm. Plots Secretaria
241& 242 originally belonged to the Reserve
Bank, but were later surrendered to the nan
Maharashtra Government
The climate of the region is tropical wet and
dry climate. Mumbai's climate can be best
described as moderately hot with high level
of humidity. Its coastal nature and troplcal
location ensures temperatures won't
fluctuate much throughout the year. The
Satellite imagery
mean average is 27.2 °C and average showingthe
location of Vidhan Sabha, Secretariat
precipitation is 242.2 cm(95.35 inches). and Gateway of India
Imagery Google Earth
5
Case Study
Planning Approach Concept
The entire complex comprises two units,
one unit consisting of three Halls for the
Assembly, Council and Central Hall for the
joint session of both houses and the other
unit comprising of the Legislative
Secretariat.
The three halls have been coupled in one
mass one over the other, having
single
folded plate wall on its exterior and a dome
on top. This is set against a backdrop of
twenty-one storeyed Tower Block which
accommodate the offices of the Legislative
Secretariat and the Library.
The dome set on top of this arrangement is
of folded petal arrangement. Above the
dome is cylinderical base for Ashoka
Stambha.
Introducing glazing between the folded Top: Layout Plan showing Assembly and
plates derives light in the top potion of the main Secretariat
Below: West entrance of Assembly Building
building Source loksatta.com
Functional Arrangement
Below: Section through the
Building Functionally, the components of the building
Opposite: Ground Floor Plan
Source: lok3atta. com re
1. Basement
Combined Hall It accommodates parking space for 66 cars,
U Councll Hall
air-conditioning plant, water supply
Assembly Hall arrangement, pumps, electric-sub station,
Tower Block 10,558 sqm. Height of
panel room etc.Area
basement floor: 7.3m.
2. Ancllary Bullding
This surrounds the central circular zone on
three floors. It is semicircular in plan bounded
by the tower block on one side and the circular
halls within. It mainly accommodates the
Minister's chambers, Business Advisory
Committee and has two main entrances.
3.Central Circular zone
36
E This consists of a six storey structure with
three Assembly hall on the ground floor,
State Assembly, Maharashtra
Councll Hall on the second floor and the 6. Combined Hall
Combined Hall on the fourth floor. The roof A circular hall of 31m diameter, provides
over the central hall is dome with cranked seating for 400 visitors. The hall is used for
slab forming a petal dome over a part area. joint sessions of both houses of legislature,
and international conferences.
Height:50m.
4. Legislative Assembly Hall 7. Tower Block
It is circular in shape, having a diameter of It is a 21 storey building. housing functions
30m and accommodating 304 members like the Minister's offices, various
committee rooms, M.L.A and M.L.C
(seating + desk arrangements). The 5.33m
cantilever gallery provides seating for 398 lounges, railway and airline booking
offices, various offices of legislative
visitors.
secretarlat (around 600 staff), canteens,
5. Legislative Council Hall library, reading rooms etc.
It is a circular hall having diameter of 21m,
and can accommodate 130 members with
desk and seating arrangements. The 8.2m Assembly Hal Speaker's Chambers
cantilevered gallery provides seating for Ministers Chambers Assembly Lobby
210 visitors
CM Chambers Assembly Secretariat
Opp. Chamber
7
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Inferences
Being cited in an urban landscape, the
building is extremely accessible from the
street used by the general
outer which is
public everyday. However, the complex
design hasn't included any spaces for the
public to use and enjoy.
Due to the restriction of space, all functions
the Assembly have been accommodated
of
in a vertical This has led to
setup. heavy
reliance towards mechanical modes of
circulation, such as elevators.
The building relies heavily on mechanical
modes of lighting and air conditioning, as
most of the areas inside the building do not
recelve any natural light.
The outer folded plate facade is strikingly
distinctive from the rest of the structures of
the area, and it gives a
recognisable
character.
Top: Fourth Floor Plan
Right: Viewof Assembly building
rom the entrancegate
Below: Aerlal View of Nariman
Point
Source loksatta com
Combined Hall
Library
iti
