Facade Meets Street

By Amisha Bhoir

PLACE-VEER NARIMAN POINT,KALA GHODA,MUMBAI

DATE-24TH JULY 2019

Mumbai, like many other cities in India has a vast historical significance from 19th century. Every lane, street portrays a discontinuous timeline of architecture. The play of the facades has its own history and feature which differentiates every building’s elevation from one another. The era of Indo gothic, art deco reflects in these architectural elements.

Some streets, in Mumbai still reflect the contrast in facades, which in itself becomes a ‘frame of timeline’. The Kala Ghoda street and its lanes, are lined up with such building facades. Every picture being documented showcases the tranquil architecture amidst the chaos. This portrays the discontinuity between the form and the function of the building. Though some structures in Mumbai were built for its specific function while some are replaced by functions, but the elevated projections, brackets, and steel stanchion balconies remain at standstill.

The contrast seems to be not only in era but also materials, functions of the building, its context which characterizes the uniqueness of these streets. At every hour there is a reversal in these functions at the exterior of the façade which has its own significance. A structure has a particular function or programme suited for it, but after its context comes into place it becomes an integrated whole. These buildings are like construction marvels kept for an exhibition, while we roam along the lanes looking at the exhibits. Each exhibit has its own individuality, material specification, and varied style.

Delhi , which is either diluted with its ruins or undiluted, Mumbai’s past relives in those intermingled streets and its guided façade which has a different era to showcase. It’s like looking for shades of white in a white, discontinuous yet one.

By Amisha Bhoir