GENESIS (Page 2)

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A team of American architects Albert Mayer and Mathew Novicki laid out the initial master plan for the new Capital city of Chandigarh. Much of the structure and Configuration of the urban pattern of Chandigarh master plan is based on the tenets of Mayer's Scheme. After the tragic death of Novicki, Mayer also withdrew from the project. Another Worldwide hunt for a suitable architect-planner for the chandigarh project was launched; and after much celiberation, Le Corbusier was invited to complete the Chandigarh project. Corbusier retained the key planning principles of the Mayer plan, such as the concept of Sectors and the location of the capitol complex on the north-east of the city plan. The need for the Sukhna Lake had already been felt and it had been incorporated in the original master plan of Albert Mayer. He had placed the capitol complex in the middle of the proposed lake to be fed by the two branches of the existing Sukhna Choe. The intent of Such a placement of the buildings of the capitol complex had been to create a water body all around them to create a Sublime effect. It was to be supplied with water through a series of inexpensive dams, thus serving as 'a sort of glittering necklace encircling the group'.

In the revised master plan by Le Corbusier while the idea of having a lake at the previously decided location was retained; the capitol complex was moved away from it. Instead of making the majestic lake a mere reflecting pool for the capitol.

Le Corbusier's Conceptual sketch of the lake promenade, looking towards the Control gate.buildings, Corbusier Converted it into an oasis of Calm and natural beauty; and gave it an entity of its own. At the inception of the city. When the plantation was still Small and the hot Winds laden with dust lashed the City, the lake must have been a Cool haven indeed! It must have been a Soothing sight for Sore eyes and restful to the Spirit, tired after the heat and dust of the then barren landscape of the city.
(Continues...)

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