Wapda house

Presented by

Tayyaba Naseer 2014-AE-17

To evaluate the façade appearance of

a buildingCASE STUDY

WAPDA HOUSELAHORE

Contents:

Objective Statement of building Location History Architectural features Conclusion

Objective

To evaluate the façade appearance of a building

Façade coordination with its use Architectural and structural features of WAPDA

Statement of building

The WAPDA house architecture is somehow coordinating with its function is we ignore the dome for an instant.

LOCATION

The WAPDA Building, located at Lahore’s Charing Cross, shares views of the Summit Minar and Punjab Assembly Building along with the Masonic Lodge, Shah Din and Alfalah Buildings.

How WAPDA house shares the view of Summit Minar & British

Pavilion?

History

After the fall of Mughal Empire, Britain ruled the territories that now comprise of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Burma for nearly 90 years until 1947, along Mall Road in Lahore, there are several buildings from that time.

Some of the renowned buildings are Punjab Assembly Hall, Lahore High Court, GPO, Lahore Museum, Punjab University, Tollington Market, Lahore Railway Station.

It is one of the icons of the city’s architectural landscape.

INTRODUCTION

Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) was established through an Act of Parliament in 1958.

New York famous architect, Edward Durrel Stone undertook designing of the building and work was initiated in Oct. 1963.

For this purpose existing Mela Ram and Jodha Mal Buildings were purchased and demolished to obtain 33 Kanals and 6 Marlas of land [10].

Comprising of 9 storeys including 2 basements, 127 ft. high (12 ft. dome height inclusive) building was completed at a cost of Rs. 4,26,43,000.

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

British architecture Bay windows Dome like structure Perforated cantilever Thin columns Rectangular patterns Corrugated wall pattern Perforated canopies

windows

The windows provided in WAPDA house are bay windows

or by windows?

At first glance, bow and bay windows can look a lot alike. Both will do much to open up a room and let it breathe, giving the appearance of more space and letting in more light while adding a splash of glamour to any room.

Then what is the difference between bay windows and bow windows?

Bay Window Bow Window

A bay window is a window space projecting outward from the main walls of a building and forming a bay in a room. A bay window has three openings, available in angled projections.

A bay window's overall structure consists of a picture window with two other windows, usually smaller, on either side.

Bay windows allow lesser sun light to enter in than bow windows.

A bow window is same as bay window but usually has has four or five openings.

A bow window's structure is curved, creating a rounded appearance on the outside of the home

Bow windows frequently allow more light to come into the room since they have more glass panes than bay windows.

The angular lines and flat planes of a contemporary bay window are often considered more appropriate for modern homes.

Bay windows protrude farther from the wall out into the exterior space, adding a bit more floor space on the interior.

Because bay windows only have three panels, they're seldom as wide as bow windows.

The semi-circular outer structure of the bow window is ideal for any architecture that smacks of the Victorian. Of course, either type is perfectly acceptable for just about any style home.

Bow windows can be wrapped around the corner of a building, forming a unique turret shape on the outside and an enticing nook on the inside. This advantageous option also allows for a view from two sides of the home.

Bow windows are more wide.

Interior look

Bay Windows

Bay windows are used in WAPDA house giving it a rich Architectural appearance.

Number of windows to attain max sun light.

Dome

Dome is provided which let the diffused light to enter in restraining glare

Dome above also serves as heat trap

Perforated cantilever

Cantilever is also provided To make cantilever light weight perforations are provided

Square pattern

Square patterns are provided not only in facade but also in interior

Same patterns are on columns on walls

Thin column

Columns are provided to support the over all structure

Thickness of columns is less To give beauty and to break monotony

rectangular patterns are provided .

Corrugated facade

Corrugated façade increases the external wall area and thus the heat gain is more

Perforated canopies

A canopy is an overhead roof or else a structure over which a fabric or metal covering is attached, able to provide shade or shelter from weather conditions such as sun, hail, snow and rain

Perforated canopies provides protection from neither sun nor rain

Summary of features

Conclusion

Wapda House building, With the addition of a dome , Char Bagh and a perforated canopy on the roof which provides no shelter from sun or rain & the architect fails to deliver the essence of Mughal architecture.

In fact the building looks similar to one of his projects in Maryland, United States.

Conclusion

Louis Kahn’s famous quote to the CDA officials, “a painted horse cannot be a zebra”,  can summarize the works of Edward Durrel Stone.

Borrowing a few elements and pasting them to a building doesn’t make it Islamic, neither he did any effort to study the climate and the topography of the region which is evident in his buildings.

Any question?