SRSC Jodhpur

Location

The proposed site for the Sub Regional Science Centre is located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, covering an area of 4 acres.

Surroundings

This site is situated near the Polytechnic College and features fairly leveled land, measuring approximately 221 meters in the northwest/southeast direction and 75 meters in the northeast/southwest direction.

Purpose

The National Council of Science Museum aims to establish this Sub Regional Science Centre to empower people through science communication. The Centre seeks to create a scientific temper among the masses, particularly among the youth, by providing a participatory and non-formal learning approach to science education.

Architectural Inspiration

The design of the Sub Regional Science Centre seeks to merge traditional Rajasthani fort architecture, exemplified by Meherangarh Fort, with modern architectural grammar of the 21st century. The aim is to create a structure that integrates the ethos of a 14th-century fort with the functional requirements of a modern Science Centre.

Character

The proposed Centre represents a synthesis of two conflicting architectural styles, portraying a time warp of almost six hundred years, creating a unique environment for learning and exploration.

Entrances

The site will have two entrances—one from the southeast, which serves as the main entrance, and another from the northeast, which is the secondary entrance for the auditorium complex.

Main Building

The Science Centre is broadly divided into four primary parts:

• Exhibition Halls
• Visitor Activity Area (including an Auditorium and Children Activity Centres)
• Service Areas (Exhibit development and associated areas)
• Science Park and outdoor facilities

The site includes a parking area, cafeteria, visitor waiting area, and toilet facilities near the main entrance, while the secondary entrance provides access to the auditorium complex with adequate parking.

Exhibition Halls

The design includes two exhibition halls with a total area of 500 m² (300 m² and 200 m²) and provisions for two additional halls in the future. Other facilities comprise an auditorium, a children’s activity centre, and an exhibit development area.

Visitor Circulation

The main building is proposed as double-storied with a plinth height of 1.5 meters and a floor-to-floor height of 4.5 meters. Visitor circulation is designed to start in a large entrance lobby featuring a reception area and a 3D digital studio on the ground floor.

A prominent staircase and an elevator provide access to the first floor, where the two exhibition halls are located. After visiting the exhibition halls, visitors, particularly children, can either take a ramp or use the staircase/lift to descend to the ground floor, leading to the visitor activity area.

Visitor Activity Area

The visitor activity area includes the Children Activity Hall and the Auditorium, alongside the segregated exhibit development area. A separate toilet block has been provided, consisting of facilities for ladies, gents, and individuals with disabilities.

Separate Entrance Lobby

An additional entrance lobby has been proposed to provide direct access to the visitor activity area, linking the auditorium and the children’s activity areas. This design ensures that the Centre can function independently even if the main exhibition hall is closed for any reason.

Visitor Circulation Pattern

The design emphasizes a well-thought-out circulation pattern for visitors throughout the Science Centre. Upon entering, visitors are welcomed into a spacious entrance lobby, which serves as the primary access point to various facilities.

Access to Exhibition Halls

From the entrance lobby, visitors can easily navigate to the two exhibition halls located on the first floor. A large staircase and elevator facilitate movement between levels, ensuring accessibility for all visitors.

After exploring the exhibition halls, visitors, especially children, have the option to descend via a ramp that wraps around the building or utilize the staircase/lift to return to the ground floor.

Visitor Activity Area

The circulation plan also includes a direct flow into the visitor activity area, which comprises the Children Activity Hall and the Auditorium. Adequate signage and layout design ensure that visitors can effortlessly find their way to these engaging spaces.

Separate Access for Auditorium and Children Activity Area

A separate entrance lobby has been designed for direct access to the visitor activity area, linking the auditorium and children’s activity areas. This feature allows the Centre to operate independently, even if the main exhibition hall is closed on certain days.