Parliamentary Chambers

Parliamentary Chambers

In any democratic setup, the Legislature can

be a Unicameral or a Bicameral setup. In a
unicameral system, there isjust one legislative
or parliamentary chamber (usually called the
Lower House), whereas is a bicameral system,
the legislature of the government will func
tion through two parliamentary chambers,
The Legislative Assembly and the Legislative
Council (the Lower and Upper house respec-
tively)
Lok Sabha in session
atPhoto
New 1BNtiN
Delh
Composition of the Assembly
Building eral system of governance. The legislative
council of each state selects its chairman
An Assembly Building contains all the neces-
from among its own members. Theoretically
sary spaces for a legislature to function
the powers of the Legislative Council are
properly nd house allits staffand members.
1. Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha)
equal with the Assembly; in reality, the
Councilis the weaker partner.
Numbers of Seats depends on state popula-
tion. Members of legislative assembly are
Ordinary bills can originate in any chamber of
the legislature. A bill must be passed by both
chosen directly by the people on the basis of chambers, and recelve the assent of the
adult franchise from territorial constituencies state's Governor, before it becomes law as an
in the state. Act. The Governor may give his assent or
return the bill back to legislature with his
Its Tenure observations.
The normal tenure of the legislative assembly As of 2014, Seven (out of twenty-nine) states
of every state is of 5 years but it may be dis- have a Legislative Council: Andhra Pradesh,
solved earlier by the Governor.
Bihar, J&K, Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
2. Speaker & Deputy Speaker
Speaker is the chlef president officer of the
4. Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha
legislative assembly of a He is chosen
state. Chamber)
among the ruling party members. This is the lower house in legislature. The
The assembly elects its Deputy Speaker also

from its own members among opposition Karnataka Legislative Assembly in

session at Bangalore
party. Photo: BNIive

FunctionsS
It has the cardinal functions of legislation
overseeing of administration, passing of
budget and ventilation of public grievance.
Speaker is the custodian of the dignity of the
house and an impartial arbitration in its

proceedings.

3. Legislative Council
This is the Upper House in states with bicam-
 Literature Studies
most important function of the Legislative
Assembly is to act as the highest law making
organ of the state. In unicameral state
Legislatures all bills on subjects in the state
list are initiated and passed by this House
before transmission to the Governor for his
assent.
The chair of the Speaker is placed conspicu-
ously at the center. In the pit of the chamber
just below the Speakers chair is the table of
the Secretary General of the house. In front
of him is placed a large table, which is the
table of the house on which papers are
formally laid by ministers, officers of the
house and the official sit at this table.
A seat is allotted in the chamber to each
elected member Vidhan Sabha. The seats on
the right hand side of speaker belongs to
ruling party and that on the left side belongs
tothe opposition party members.
Ruling Party leader (Chief Minister) occupies
the first row seat on the right side.
The deputy speaker occupies the first row
seat on the left side.
5. Library
Its primary object is to keep members of
Vidhan Bhavan well informed of the day-to-
day developments in India and abroad, by
maintaining an up-to-date and well
equipped library backed by prompt and
efficient research and reference services.
It provides research & reference material on
legislative measures and a varlety of other
subjects coming up before the house
Parliament House, New Delhi
Photo Pubicinterestfoundation
2
Vidhan Sabha so as to enable members to
participate efficiently in the debates of their
respective house.
6. Press& Public Relation Wing
This wing maintains relation with the press
and various Government publicity organiza-
tion and communications media. It a l s
handles all matters concerning the press
gallery of the Vidhan Sabha including issue of
press gallery passes and provision of faclities
to the correspondents covering- When the
Vidhan Sabha is in session, important news
items are displayed on boards, outside the
library.
7. Visitor's Galleries
There are two galleries on either side of the
speaker dais. The one on the left side are for
the VIP members and other on the right side
is reserved for the bureaucrats.
The press gallery is situated on the first floor.
The public gallery (gents & ladies) is on the
first floor.
8. Committees
(1.) Ad-hoc Committees and
(2.) Standing Committees
Ad-hoc committees are appointed for a
specific purpose and they cease to exist, until
they finish the task assigned to them and
submit a report.
Standing committees are those who run
through the year like committee on estimate.
Gujrat Legislative ASsembly in Gandhinagar
Photo: Gandhiportà
Literature Studies

Architecture Of Democracy
Symbol Of Power
Security Ornament of a Country/State
have
Recent terrorist attacks
changed the balance between
Draws people and Commerce
Promotes Patriotism
openness and the need for securny
and
to
Has given are fortress mentality
like
buildings being shaped
bunkers.

PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE Symbol Of ldentity

Architectural Vocabulary
Reflects the culture of its
Contemporary people.
Should not have any Reflects the past of the people
ethnic references.

Spatial Qualities Public Architecture in India (Problems)

Palace like Architectural characteristics of
Openness/Open Space
Encourage Public Gathering9 strong hierarchical symmetry (imperialist
or foster participation style)
Democracy is lost, as architecture
Buildings that meet the
people symbolises power for a few, but not
Melcoming
Sense of Place
power for the many.
Democratic Architecture should not hide
Center for the Community behind think walls, it should interact with
the city and be an integral part of it.
Isolated From the Public

History shows that as a nation progresses and accumulates wealth, its civic structures are
rendered in pompous, almost authoritarian style- Grand landscaped gardens, high walls

and deep setbacks.

Currently in India, there are many un-democraticatly designed public architecture that
spots palace-like characteristics. These buildings are intimidating, the scale and archi-
tectural style can have an undesirable impact on the citizens and the leaders.
Winston Churchill once said. "We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape u
Architects need to realise the importance of democratic spatial relationship before the
public loses touch with their city or architecture, in turn creates a society that does not
come together and not worth caring: an indisposable society.

Architecture of democracy now and then - Concept of democracy lost.

Governmen Centre
Government Centre
Religion Centre
Pak Mal
Business Ma

Homes
Family/Farms/industiry
GreelyRome 0olinga.2007h Present Day olings.20n)

20
Architecture & Politics

Architecture and Politics

Politics Itself is a pure beauty that had played Scale in Context
the civilization Scale is the most basic way of expressing the
the momentous role to bring
of most fundamental meanings like power or
to this instant. It is about
power, gover
for the goodness of the
weakness. Through scale, buildings show the
nance and authority
mankind. But often the practice of politics hierarchy of importance in context.
turns the player's intentions into obsession. Size (In Volume and Space): Larger the size
means Larger the Powera
The insatiability of this obsessive desire of
power often breaks the rules of
the game. Its Height: Taller the Object means higher the
breaks the very basic rule of sanity and ethical Authority
imperative, thus erase the memory of ground Weight: More Weight (Heavy) means more
values of goodness. One breaking of the rule Stability and Domination

It is Compatibility with surrounding: More

multiplies the breaking itself; chaotically.
in Contrast means more the Detachment &
of no surprise that politicians believe an

ideology and attempts to express it through Peculiarity

material matters and Architecture is not

immune either. But it is indeed à mesmerizing Formal Shape and Expression

wonder how politicians often seize every inch
Formal shape and formal language in build

of time and space with the of ings transtorm these fundamental meanings
idiosyncrasy
accentuation and the dogmatic glorification of scale to a higher level of expression, like a

monumental neo-classical, totalitarian

of a personality or an ideology beyond the
limit of its own ground. This greed explodes building trying to pass itself off as a continua-
tion of an ancient value.
its boundary of its own state buildings and
Symbolic Representation: More
spill into the public spaces. Starts from thee
Ornamentation means more it gets
foretront of the state palace with
advance through
an
the
ostenta
road, the idealized
tious effigy,
boulevards, to the open space into the so Transparency and Visibility: More Opaque
called public building and even inside the means more Mysterious
means less
private realm of a Home. It is important to Complexity: More Abstract
note that though politics and architecture are Clear
each justifiable according to its intrinsic set of Spatial organization: Spatial organization
criteria, the opposition between warring is used to censor the existing social struC
architectural views nowadays, is one which is tures

fought artistic grounds and more on

less on Accessibility and Invitation: Definite
political grounds. This exploration is about access means more Segregation
how and why architecture is manifested to More complex means more
Complexity:
sing political ideologies and power. Security
Flow: Formal flow means more Control

10
Parliamentary Chambers

Assembly Hall Design

The Parliament is not just a building, it is of order and disorder, drama and
a scene
inac
tion, place of heated exchanges, a place of outburst of emotions. Within the four walls of
the Assembly area, it defines a nation's history and political state.
For 2500 have assembled to participate in and observe
more than years, people democ
racy. The environment in which democratic debates take place can be seen as a physical
expression of mankind's relationship with the ideas of democracy. Public participation
on democracy in architecture is an idea evolved from Ancient Rome. Since this is not the
case today. public spaces as a place to foster democracy have ceased to matter, and this
has reduces these civic structures as nothing more than
ornaments
INTERACTIVE SPACES
symbolise democracy by encouraging
participation in the democratic process
facilitated by the creation of an open and
publicly welcoming building.

SPATIALQUALITIES
A key part of the process of achieving
interactive public architecture is in
a more

arousing
Curiosity in a building, most notably through

contrast o f light &shade, hard & soft, new &

Prement dangladesh old, Transparent Opaque

CONTEXT
The building should reflect a dialogue
between the landscape and surrounding
context, t sits gently on the site rather than
imposing it as a harsh monument.

URBAN
The art of interaction to dissolve the bound-
aries between buildings and the
is
street, the
assembly building that accessible by the
public, it symbolses democracy by encourag
ing public participation in the democratic
process.
r d Nalior Asaembly, e s
Rcherd Rogers

SPATIAL EXPERIENCE
Palace
The
routes as
of Assembly
kind of
a
uses circulation
narrative
a
journey, it
provides spatial experience through series of
a
Views.
Ae Gy. Chendigah India
 Literature Studies

The Assembly Hall

Assembly hall includes debating chamber and
other supportingspaces.
These spaces are very important as it is in
these places where people's representative
debate, decide discuss and deliver legislation.
While designing assembly hall, following
considerations should be taken
UN General Assembly. New York
Photo Wikipedia
Shape ofthe Hall
Different types of shapes are used to perform seating arrangement. This type of arrange-
ment encourages face to
conventions, meeting face debate
or conferences. Generally, square, rectangu However this type of arrangement also likely
lar, fan shaped, hexagonal shaped, oval to bring unnecessary opposing nature among
shaped, circular shaped plans are used. For the parliamentarians.
large assembly purpose, circular or oval plan is
recommended mainly for assembly purpose
since the is very less
stage requirement and
need of visibility of stage from every corner. In
different countries, shape of assembly hall is
taken akin to type of parliamentary politics
practised in that particular nation. For exam-
ple in west minster model of governance
where there is strong opposition in debate
between two major parties, the rectangular
shapes and opposite seating layouts are
preferred. Similarly in House of Commons, London, UK
consensus based inclusive democracy the Photo worape

circular or oval shape of halls are preferred for

more collaborative effort. From visibility and b)U-Shaped Arrangement
greater accommodation point of view, circu- This type of arrangement encourages face to
lar shapes is most appropriate with circular
face debate but less opposing in nature than
shapes, there will be two alternates to the that of opposite seating arrangement. It is
inner seating layouts namely semi oval or
reformed type of opposite seating9 type which
semi-circular, the appropriate shape can be
is more interactive in nature. Commonwealth
chosen.
countries like Australia have this kind of
Space requirements: seating arrangements.
From various studies and thelr inferences, the
area standards have
been ascertained and it has been found that
Area of 1.5-16sq.m per user is adopted in the
assembly hall.
Area of O.05-1.2 sq.m per user
is generaly
adopted in the general seating gallery
depending upon the type of user and require
ment of space.

a) Opposite Arrangement
Generally countries with parliamentary House of Representative, Canberra, Australia
systems like united kingdom have this kind of Pnoto apn gov au
ITERATURE REVIEW NEPAL RARLIAMENT BUILDINO COMPLEX
VIEWING CRITERIA
AUDITORIUM DESIGN -SEATED PERSON MUST HAVE
GOOD VIEW OF ANY PROJECTION SCREENS AND
OTHER VISUAL AIDS .
ANGLE FOR SCREEN PROJECTION: MAX.
VIEWING
S
VIEWING DISTANCE:
MAXIMUM VEWING DISTANCE 6 TIMES IMAGE Fg Distrjbuted Loudapesker system
wiDTH
VERTICAL ANGLE :-NOT EXCEED 35' FROM THE
NEAREST SEATS.
ACOUSTICS IN AN AUDITORIUM

FOuowING POINTS ARE ONSIDERED FOR GOOD ACoUSTIG IN AN AUDITORIUM

SEATNG: ELEVATE D
SEATING IS EFFECTIVE NOT LESS THAN 8
CELINGS:-HIGHLY REFLECTIVE MATERIALS SHOULD BE USED FOR CEILING PURPOSES.

cElUNGHEGHT PROVIDED
SHOULD BE ONE-THIRD OF THE WIDTH OF THE ROOM
LAYOUT OF FLOOR PLAN: -FLOOR PLANS WITH THE RATIO OF ENGTH TO WIDTH 2:1
ARE PREFERRED
CONCAVE SURFACE SHOULD BE AVOIDED AS THEY ARE THE SOURESOF
WALLS:
ECHOES
HIGHLY ABsORPTIVE MATERIAL AND BROKEN TO DISTRIBUTE THE SoUND
PROJECT DEALS WITH A HALL USED MAINLY FOR SPEECH. THE TREATEDWITH
UNIFORMLY
CONSIDERANONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN BELOW. THE TWO MAN
STAGE:-STAGE FLOOR SHOULD BE RAISED TO AN EXTENT
REQUIREMENTS ARE:
REVERBERATION TIME :-162.1 SECONDS
POWER AND CLARITY
THE POWER OF SPEECH IN SUCH HALLS DEPENDS UPON THE
FOLLOWING cONFERENCE ROOMS
1. DiSTANCE FROM SPEAKER
2. DIRECTIONAL RELATIONSHIP TO SPEAKER 1.39M2PER PERSON: THEATER STYLE
TO 2.78M2 PER PERSON: CONFERENCE SEATING
3. ALUDIENCE ABSORPTION OF DIRECT SOUND 2.32 2 -4 PEOPLE
4, REINFORCEMENT BY REFLECTORS 1o a 8.8 MaREGPTONIST AND
5. REINFORCEMENT BY LoUDSPEAKERS SS OM 0.65 Sa. M PER FILE wITH A 900 MM TO 1200 MMAISLE
6. SOUND SHADOWS WIDTH
 NEPL PARLIAMENT BUILDIN0 COMPLEX
LITERATURE REVIEW
UNIVERSAL DSRGN
AL PEOPLE UNDER CONDITIONS OF EMERGENCY Sso UNVERSAL DESIGN IS
UBRARY
MUST
cONSIDERSTHE ENTIRE RANGE OF CAPACITIES AND PoTENTIALS OF PEOPLE AND
ALIBRARY I5 A LARGE COLLECTION OF BOOKS AND ALSo
RESOURCES, AND SERVICES. AND PRODUCTS TH ROUGHOUT
NDES DIGITAL SOURCES,
AUDIO, ISUAL MATERIALS IN
HOW THEY USE
BUIL DINGS THEIR UVES
ACCESSIBLE TO BOTH PEOPLE WITHOUT DISABILUTIES AND PEOPLE
THEY CAN BE OF RINT
NUMEROUS FORMATS. DISABILITIES.
WITH

**

14
Fg Optimum she vng conddien for

SERVICE SPACES
dou
********** ***

CAFETERIA
CAFETE RIA IS NEEDED FOR THE PARLIAMENT COMPLEXAS NUMBER OF PEOPLE
ViSIT THE COMPLEX AND ALSO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WORK THERE
PARKING FACuTY

30 DEGREE PARIONG-EASY ENTRY AND EXIT AND USED WHERE LARGE

PARKING SPACES CAN BE PROVIDED
LITERATURE REVIEW NEPAL PARLIAMENT BUILDINO COMPLEX
GENERAL SPACE REQUREMENTS
FUNCTIONAL SPACES
SACEPERPERSON8TO 13SQ.M[OPTIMUM 10sQ.M)
SPACES INCLUDE SECRETARIAT, COMMITTEE
FUNCTIONAL TYPICAL PRESIDENTS OFFICEINOR CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD: 23.22 TO
OFFICES, PARTY OFFICESDEPENDS
AND IBRARY SPACES 37.16M2 (4 TOS WINDOWSOFFICE:
LENGTH)
13.93 TO 23.22M2 TO4
USERS SATISEACTION ON HUMAN FACTORS SUCH AS TYPICAL VCE-PRESIDENTS
wINDOWS IN LENGTH)
(3
NATURALLIGHT
PRIVACY TPICAL EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE:9.29 TO 13.93M2 (2 WINDOws IN
LENGTH)
COMFORA CDNFERENCE ROOMS:
1.39
OFFICE SPACE PLANNING: M2PER PERSON: THEATER STYLE
2.32 TO 2.78M2 PER PERSON: CONFERENCE SEATING
BETTER FEXIBILITY IN PLANNING WORK STATIONS.
BETTER NAT URAL LIGHTING AND VENTILATION. RECEPTION AREA -1161 TO 18.58 M2RECEPTIONIST AND 2.4 PEOPLE
AND 6-8 PEOPLE
BETTER COMMUNICATION AND FLOW OFWORK. 8.8 TO 28 MRECEPITONIST
0.65 M PER FILE
FE ROOM Sa. WITHA 900 MM TO 1200 MM ASLE
HiGHER EFFICIENCY: USABLE SPACE AS HIGHAS 80-90%
OFFICE PLANNING MODULE
OFFICE LAYOUT IS OFTEN BASED ON A MODULE DERIVE D WIT
REFERENCE TO COMMON FURNITURE, EQUIPMENTS ANDNECESSARY
CLEA RANCE
FOR LARGE GENERAL OFFICES, PLANNING 1S BASED UPON ONE DESK
ISTHUS ABOUT S BY 6 FEET.
AND CHAIR AND
ARE THE E OFCES THE CONTROLUNG FACTORS ing
n
AND
AND WINDOw
WINDOw DESIGN. APIANM WH THE WALu
DESIGN. APLANNING MODULE OF 4TOSI. WORKS ) amples of deel
OaToSPT. o
EASONABLY WEL FOR THIS PURPOS workstetien INDOOR AIR QUALITY
wITHTHIS MODULE THE SMALLEST OFHCE WOULD BF * TO T0T
WDE INDOOR ENVIRONMENT CAN BE MORE
AZARDOUSTHAN OUTDOORENVI RONIMENT
OPROPER LIGHT AND
VENTT
INDOOR GARDENS CAN BE THE SOLUTION TO
SOLVE THESE PROBLE MS
ITITITI
4444
LT006 GT
ITITTI
 NEPAL PARLIAMENT BUILDINO COMPLEX
LITERATURE REVIEW
DESIGN CRITERIA
SPACE REQUIREMENT
STAGE HEIGHT RANGES FROM 800 TO 1500 MM

ASSEMBLY SPACES VE LEVEL WHEN SEATED:-1120MM

MAXIMUM VERTICAL ANGLE -30
BFT 8IN) ABOWE FLOOR LVL
FUNCTIONAL SPACES MAX NO. OF SEATS IN A ROW:16-25
SERVICE SPACES 1 6IT DOOR:- 800 MM-1000 MM (MIN) PER EVERY 150 SEATS
UNVERSAL DESIGN

ASSEMBLY SPACES
SLOPE OF ASLES120
FOR DIFFERENTLY ABLED-112
ASSEMBLY HAL INCLUDES MUST SATISFY ACouSTIC REQUIREMENTS,
DEBATING CHAMBER THE CEUNG REQUIREMENTSAR-CONDITIONING
DEBATE, DECIDE DISCUSS AND DELIVER LEGISLATIONS
SHAPE OF HALL
LIGHTING REQuIREMENTS, REQUIREMENTS, STAGE
FIRE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS AND AESTHE TICAL
REQUIREMENTS,
sauARE,
RECTANG ULAR,
CIRCULAR SHAPED
FAN SHAPED,
HEXAG ONAL
SHAPED,
VAL SHAPED. REQUIREMENTS
LAYOUT OF FLOOR PLAN-FLOOR PLANS WITH THE RATIO OF LENGTH TO
FROM VISIBILITY AND GREATER ACCOMMODAT ION POINT OF VIEW, CIRCULAR SHAPES
TEL VATED SEATING IS EFFECTIVE NOT LESS THAN 8
CEIUNGS: -HIGHLY REFLECTVE MATERIALS SHOULD BE USED FOR
SEATING SPACE REQUIREMENT-AREA OF 15-165Q.M PER USER
CEILING PURPOSES.
TyPES OF ARRANGEMENTSL
1.OPPOSITE ARRANGEMENTS

'encourages tace to r c e oebate

nkey to bring unnecessary opposing
natureamong the paniamentarna s
2. U-SHAPED ARRANGEMENTS
encourages face to face debat e but less
pposing in nature.

acor p e seating type

more interactive with greater visibility
cordial and less opposing