The Theme of Knowledge through Illusion & Reality as experienced through IMAX technology is used to give direction to the architectural experience. The Complex is designed so that the visitor's experience oscillates between Natural and Manmade, Virtually and Reality while moving through the site.
The lotus forms the focus of creation in Indian mythology Hence, aptly the lotus plaza is the fulcrum around which the sequence of entering and exiting the complex revolves. This circuit is traversed through descending into the depths of the earth into an exhibition of nature and technology called the "Spiral of Knowledge". The route through the "Spiral of Knowledge" culminates in the Entrance Foyer. An 8m wide and 6m high series of mirrors forms a Periscope- the focus of the Entrance Foyer. This Periscope not only demonstrates the fundamental principle of Optics, but also forms a social space where people gather to watch others descend into the tunnel from the plaza above. The periscope floods the Foyer with natural light reducing day-lighting loads in this subterranean chamber thus saving energy. From this foyer, one enters the IMAX theatre where technology enables us to experience nature at a supra scale, albeit 'virtually'. The route ends back at the Lotus plaza and brings viewers back in physical contact with the natural world.
The themes of point-counter point, gateway and event in architecture are explored by setting the theatre block and restaurant block at two ends of the Lotus plaza. The five elements: the five lotus ponds distributed over the surface of the plaza represent Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. A variety of lotus and water lilies in five colours grow in these ponds along with fish, algae and other organisms to complete a fully sustainable micro world representing our bio diversity and ecological sustainability.
The waters of the lotus plaza are an important element here; as a service that is both necessary and beautiful. They are used as heat exchangers for the air conditioning and the mist generated by the process wafts across with the natural breeze to cool the plaza. Green houses( phase II) at the other end of the plaza will use this bounty of recycled water to produce vegetables by hydroponics for consumption in the cafeteria and restaurant.
The relationship of the building and the landscape emerges due to the severity of the climate and need for insulation, provided naturally by nestling within the earth, like the traditional subterranean architecture of Gujarat- the Step well, one of which exists not very far from the site. Besides helping to save on energy this act helps in better acoustical control in a building where such control is extremely relevant. The subterranean structure also adds towards better earthquake resistant qualities as experienced here only two years ago.
