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DESIGN STATEMENT

BLINK IN NEON

The design proposal is, redesigning the 221 M stretch gobardanga-media bridge to recreate an interactive recreational space for my city, dealing with post COVID-19.

The two sides of the 6.8M wide concrete road offer various opportunities of interaction for all.

The bridge has six resting zones, three on each side, decorated with street furniture promoting social distancing.

The first zone is with wooden chair-table set for two each. One can purchase food, wash hands and enjoy eating while being in this zone, gazing out over the lake and may be, have a good conversation with their significant other. The parking area opposite to the first zone is for cars and two-wheelers with arch openings on the south. This structure also has a roof made of wood and glass.

The second zone is the play area for children with swings and the third one is with hammocks. You can relax lying flat, read a book, take a nap. After the play zone there’s ramp headed straight to the Ghaut. The Ghaut made of concrete with huge arch openings and vibrant colors reflecting the rich history of the city in curvilinear form is for fishing, taking bath, and to take a boat ride. On special occasions, a special event takes place, cinema on the water, where people watch a show on a huge screen in middle of the lake riding the boats at evening. A certain portion of the Ghaut has an inclined surface to the water with barriers, reserved for old men, children and specially-abled people to enjoy the ambience.

The quiet zone is all about enjoying solitude. The sitting spaces are divided with bushes in between to offer privacy. Opposite to this zone one can find two bridges over the lake supported by thick concrete columns, headed to the OAT. The OAT space which is semi covered with wave like structures have sitting space and a circular stage and from there, there’s staircase taking to the small Ghaut with space to change clothes. In front of that we have an art installation inspired by iceberg. People can climb it to take rest after swimming for awhile.

The second sitting space furnished with wooden chairs and plantation in between is designed keeping old men in mind. They can gather here, sit and chat while if there is any member of the friends group who is on wheelchair, he/she can occupy the red spot and chat with others. Next to it, space for vendors, basins and another sitting area are provided.

The last zone is with washrooms.

To maintain social distancing the footpaths are designed accordingly. One will be following the 0.6m* 2m rectangles of shades and tints of cyan and pink while walking including the neon lights. Just in the next side of the quiet zone, the pavilion is there. And last but not the least one can see another parking area for two wheelers on the east side of the last zone.