A Memorial Landscape Project

Smruti Balvalli, Landscape Architect

 Introduction
Graduated as an architect from Academy of Architecture, Mumbai and
completed her Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from CEPT University,
Ahmedabad in 2013. With a keen focus on deliberating upon open spaces – both
urban and natural, her academic interests are oriented towards visual
communication and documentation, landscape urbanism and ecological
restoration.

Name of Firm: Nature Narratives

BREATHE, Villa project in Bangalore

The Architect

BAGU’S FOREST, residential in Bengaluru

ILLUSTRATIONS

Image Courtesy: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE – NATURE NARRATIVES (wordpress.com)

 Introduction
October 2021 – ISOLA hosted a competition to design Spoorthi Sthalam, a
memorial dedicated to late S Jaipal Reddy (former union minister)

POINTS OF ENTRY AND EXIT

The competition was won by Smruti Balvalli, Nature Narratives, Bangalore

The Site

VIEWS TOWARDS THE LAKE

The Project

Image Courtesy: Google Maps

Situated in a prominent location in the city of Hyderabad [Telangana], the

site is a linear patch of land [1 acre in area] between the Necklace road and

VIEWOF SITE FROM ROAD

the Hussain Sagar lake. Lined with a row of existing trees of Ficus religiosa
[peepal] and Sterculia foetida [jungli badam], it is a home for several local
birds.

Image Courtesy: Google Maps

 Process
Initiated by asking questions
Can public spaces address climate change measure in
small but sensitive ways?
If the memorial is alive and vibrant only on two days
annually, what welcomes people daily?
If this is a ‘Landmark destination’ should it also
create regular association?
Intent
The Samadhi lies on the centre of the linear site.
Masterplan strategies:
The core of the site is the ghat and a rain garden that increases ground water absorption and adds more
meaning to he landscape
The central space is dedicate to a produce garden symbolic to the keen agriculturist. In order to have a soft
response to the lake, the pedestrian movement is non axial, behaving like a lake side promenade while the
upper walkway is the memorial walk.

Should the formal image of a memorial mean that it Commemorate Visual Connection Learn Awareness

does not embrace the dynamism and seasonality of

Outdoor Workshops Interaction Space Public Participation Inclusivity
nature?

Site as Sponge Promote Urban Farming Grow Native Species Allow Biodiversity
Should the scale of the memorial resonate with the
intimate nature of this statesman?
The Garden Courts Trails Vistas to Water Seasonal Plants

Am I only and ‘observer’, or can I become a

Groundwater Recharge Solar Lights Material Reuse
‘participant’?
The Design

The Person behind the persona

Image Courtesy: Landscape Journal

Url: Landscape (lajournal.in)
 Site

- Retain all the existing trees on site and carve walkways and spaces around them

- Create a public edge walkway for safety and access to people

Strategies and Design

- Non axial response, however the ghat is central and is visually connected at all
times.

- Use of ramps in order to make movement seamless but also as a mark of

respect to the leader

Space

- Central ghat court that expands with a minimal lawn during annual events to
accommodate more people

Image Courtesy: Landscape Journal - Two intimate courts- for workshops

Url: Landscape (lajournal.in)
Experience

1. Entry Court (East) 9. Sit out at Nodes 17. Tall Buffer Planting - Stepped eating along the water
2. Entry (West) 10. Stepped Plaza overlooking 18. Butterfly and Native Grass
garden
3. Drop Off zones
lake - Floating seat along the rain garden-allows occasional pauses
11. Court for Discussions 19. Aromatic Garden
4. Lower walkway along lake
through avenue of existing 12. Memorial Walk 20. Colour Garden
trees
13. Memorial Wall 21. Pedestrian Walkway and
5. Doubled Promenade seating
14. Existing Ghat/Samadhi
6. Trail along lake and grasses 22. Seasonal Swale
15. Extending Ground Cover
7. Native grass garden 23. Crossover Bridge
16. Rain Garden and Produce
8. Deck over the lake Garden 24. Wall of Lamps
 The memorial design is envisioned as a ‘glade’-an open
space in a forest. Landscape is used as a powerful element
of memory to create a valuable experience and transfer
learnings in an indirect manner.

The idea is to not focus only on the information of the political career
about Late Shri. Jaipal Reddy but also give a glimpse into his
personality and share his beliefs with the people, celebrating his
exemplary work and life.
 - Minimal Lawns and more native species
Planting and Materials
- Seasonal Yellow canopy- strengthens axis
between road and lake

- Varying volumes and storeys of a forest

- Use of Deciduous trees that shower

flowers at the ghat

- Colourful and fragrant shrubs to make the

space vibrant and white flowers near the
Samadhi (create a sense of calm)

- Yellow Tandur Stone (local material) along

Image Courtesy: Landscape Journal
Url: Landscape (lajournal.in)
the memorial walk
 1. Memorialization: Commemorating the life of Jaipal Reddy through landscape design by incorporating his Samadhi and his values.
Key Ideas of the Project
2. Cultural Preservation: The project aims to preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of Hyderabad by incorporating local materials and symbolism into the landscape
design. This could help to create a sense of place and identity within the community.

3. Public Space Enhancement: Creating a public space that could become a part of the everyday life. Creating walking trails and gathering spaces where people can relax,
socialize, and connect with nature.

4. Community Engagement: Provision of different scales of spaces for the community to gather.

5. Environmental Sustainability: Incorporating sustainable design practices into the project can help to minimize its environmental impact and enhance its long-term
resilience. Including native plants and retaining the vegetation that already existed are some of the design features.

6. Education and Interpretation: The project serves as an educational resource by providing information about the history, culture, and significance of the memorialized
individual

7. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensuring that the memorial landscape is accessible and inclusive to people of all ages and abilities

8. Legacy and Inspiration: The project could serve as a lasting legacy and source of inspiration for future generations, reminding them of the values, achievements, and
sacrifices of S Jaipal Reddy
 https://smrutibalvalli.wordpress.com/portfolio-2/landscape/f-spoorthi-sthalam/

LA 74- Landscape Journal

Works Cited