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O u r e y es a r e m a d e to s e e fo r m s i n l i g h t ; l i g h t a n d s h a d e r ev e a l t h es e fo r m s ; c u b es , co n es , s p h e r es , c y l i n d e r s o r py ra m i d s a r e t h e g r e at p r i m a r y fo r m s w h i c h l i g h t r ev e a l s to a d va n ta g e ; t h e i m a g e o f t h es e i s d i s -t i n ct a n d ta n g i b l e w i t h i n u s w i t h o u t a m b i g u i t y . I t i s fo r t h i s r e a s o n t h at t h es e a r e b e au t i f u l fo r m s , t h e m o st b e au t i f u l fo r m s . E v e r y b o dy i s a g r e e d to t h at , t h e c h i l d , t h e sava g e a n d t h e m e ta p h ys i c i a n .

L e C o r b u s i e r

of form

agnificent play

s the masterly,architecture i

correct, and m

in light.

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At the centre of the Capitol Complex sits the Legislative Assembly. The Assembly is the most masterful of all the Capitol Complex structures, with its dominant sick-le-shaped portico and harmonious composition of elemental roof geometries. From its interior, the distinctive paraboloid form that houses the main legislative chamber penetrates the roof with a chamfered peak, which is adorned, on the exterior, with sculptural elements inspired by the Jantar Mantar in Delhi, an eighteenth-century observatory composed of architectural astronomical instruments. The Assembly includes two main chambers. Prior to the creation of the state of Haryana, these chambers hosted the upper and lower houses of the Punjab assem-bly. Now the smaller chamber houses the legislature of Haryana and is defined by a pyramid form that intersects the roof. The larger of the chambers houses the state legislature of Punjab. The Punjab legislative chamber is characterised by its parab-oloid form, which is intersected by viewing galleries and balconies. Acoustic panels in the chamber conform to a rectilinear grid in the lower portion of the space and transition to expressive free-form cloud-shaped panels in the upper reaches. The ceremonial entrance to the Assembly is marked by a giant enamelled door—porte émail—designed by Le Corbusier and decorated with symbols, including animals representing the lead figures involved in Chandigarh’s planning: within a yellow rectangle in lower half of the door are Le Corbusier, the crow; Jane Drew, the goat; Maxwell Fry, the kid; and Pierre Jeanneret, the cockerel. The yellow arcs in the upper section represent the orbit of the sun. The door, which was gifted by France to the Government of Punjab at the 1964 inauguration of the building, was used only on the first day of legislative session. On other days, visitors were admitted through a side entrance. Near the Assembly building in the Capitol Complex plaza are three of the site’s monuments. The Tower of Shadows represents Le Corbusier’s preoccupation with the sun, its role in daily life, and the relationship of architecture to the cardinal directions. The Martyrs’ Monument incorporates auspicious Vedic symbolism in the form of the swastika and commemorates those lost in India’s struggle for independ-ence. This memorial is dedicated to those who died during Partition and signifies the rebirth of India. Although now largely overgrown, the Geometric Hill occupies a central point in the complex and was formed from the earth excavated during the creation of the vehicular arteries below the level of the esplanade.

Legislative Assembly Building

A pool reflects the Legislative Assembly and, in the distance, the Secretariat.

2. The Assembly.

3. A view across the plaza of the Capitol Complex toward the Assembly, with the Martyrs’ Monument in the foreground.

2.

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Views of the Mrs. Nirlep Kaur residence.

Judges’ housing, House Type 3-F, Sector 4, designed by E. Maxwell Fry, 1956.

House no. 57, Sector 5—Pierre Jeanneret’s residence from 1954 to 1965—House Type 4-J, designed by Jeanneret, 1954.

© Mapin Publishing