The visitor centre at the Red Fort is a new gateway to re-experience the events of the colonial era. The fortress’s heritage-built fabric under Dalmia Bharat adaptively reuses one of the defunct structures of the British military barracks at the world heritage site of the Red Fort. The colonial government built the military barracks after the First War of Independence of 1857. The Britishers had destroyed significant structures within the Red Fort to build the barracks with the material from the ruins. The barracks have been defunct or partially used since independence; however, only withering under the deep layers of plaster and paint and lack of ethical conservation measures.

Editor’s Note: “With a contemporary lens cast upon the historic Red Fort Centre in Delhi, the restoration breathes life into the true essence of the space. Every micro detail—from the textured surfaces to the spatial experiences and carefully chosen materials—evokes a rustic aura. The rugged strength of stone, the inviting warmth of brick, and the ethereal transparency of glass draw visitors into a dance of discovery, inviting them to wander and connect with the rich heritage of the visitor centre.”~ Simran Khare

This Visitor Centre Adaptively Reuses A British Barrack at the Red Fort | Design Factory India

Design Strategy

Once the multiple layers of plaster were removed from the surfaces of the barrack, many intricately carved stones were found embedded in the masonry. These pieces are living proof that the barracks were built using the ruins of the original Mughal buildings that once existed on the Red Fort’s premises. Therefore, the contemporary design strategy of the visitor center lives up to the fortress’s multi-layered history without being ostensive or subdued, making the spaces breathable. 

Restoration and Conservation

The design strategy of the Red Fort Center pursues restoration and conservation efforts to replicate the ancient materiality deciphered from the fort’s in-depth factual research. The contemporary design interventions for the visitor center translate the existing buildings’ expression into a present progressive language. Visual language, scenography, customized lighting design, furniture design, and installations to the finest of details. It critically preserves the pariahs of our yesterday and activate the dormant spatial experiences. 

Color and Textures

The sediment layers of stones, the contemporary color tones, and the textures surrender to their surroundings. The flashes of red oxide act as highlights. The gray tones in furniture, design elements, and products in the historic brick and stone muted ruggedness make the experiential design embody transparency. The scenography shapes and emulsifies with the antiquated background.

Natural Daylight

It tells stories to an amiable wanderer or invites a stranger searching for a welcoming new home to rest. Moreover, the clarity of the frosted or clear glass in corridors and the brilliance of the natural daylight accentuate their crystalline geometries.

Empowering local expertise:

The local material combination included lime, surkhi (powdered bricks), stalls of jute, bail water, and Badarpur sand. The color of lime surkhi matching the ancient texture has been achieved after a series of combinations. Moreover, it will age with the changing weather to provide a robust, archaic yet beautiful contemporary appearance.

Raw Material

The customized bricks measuring 300x150x75 mm (1.5 times the regular brick size) match the existing dimension of the bricks used within the barrack. In the absence of a traditional kiln, the raw material was procured from Meerut. Subsequently, it was transported to Moradabad to burn handmade bricks in an electric kiln. Additionally, Red Agra Sandstone procured from the actual Dholpur mines that provided the stone for Red Fort adorns the flooring.

Refurbishing the Red Fort

The handmade concrete pendant lights in the corridors have a form attained by juxtaposing the heritage and modern material—the barrack’s refurbishment by replacing existing M.S. Girders. The process of replenishing initially used wood with new seasoned Teak and Sagwan wood aimed to support the center to play a host and the first stop to an exponentially growing tourist footfall at Red Fort (precisely, 1122 visitors per hour, 10,000 to 12,000 visitors per day). 

Respecting the monumental heritage:

Partitions, furniture, flooring, false ceiling, and services at a distance are placed like an offset from the surfaces. Meanwhile, grazers within the skirting on the edge of the floor accentuate the restored exposed stone walls and protect the material from getting soiled. The visitors observe the exhibits from a distance and do not touch the artifacts and objects. Additionally, Ushers guide the visitors in small groups, and the markings on the floor will allow them to practice social distancing.

Infinity Room

“Making an individual visible amongst everybody and everybody visible in oneself”, the Infinity room with mirrors on all surfaces and customized lighting design provides a kaleidoscopic experience on a larger scale. Moreover, this space in mirrors with etched Ashok Chakras conjures a backlit effect on all six surfaces. The diorama installation, glass installations, and magnetic boards on a significant scale empirically herald the visitors and children to retreat with reflective perspectives. Overall, the various exhibits, experiences, and informative zones at the center indulge the visitors in incidents. They reflect a shared feeling of pride and patriotism, elevating their secular emotions. 

Advanced Amenities:

On the ground floor known as Red fort center, the institution offers social and recreational spaces with the only cafeteria at the Red Fort, reception and shops, a 360-degree projection theatre, and augmented reality. Meanwhile, on the first floor known as Afsana, the Red Fort Story, visitors embark on an interactive journey. Furthermore, it underpins the life and culture of the fort and its context in today’s India.

From Shahjahanabad to Modern Delhi

The digital travelogue commences with immersive illustrations showcasing Shahjahanabad expanding to Delhi city through the ages, to celebratory live demonstrations of Red Fort’s bazaar area called ChhataChowk, audio-visual representations of Naubat Khana (entrance) and the Hammam (the imperial bathhouse). Furthermore, it unfolds significant historical events that shaped the country’s political order, the independence movement marking Red Fort as the forever edifice of power.

Projection mapping, holography, LED tv panels, and augmented reality room for realistic photography, and grand scale models herald an interactive spectrum of the spaces. ‘I pledge to clean India and build a New India” is the live band installation. It is an initiative to indulge the visitors into the more significant nation-building goals of India. 

Visitors will now reinterpret the Red Fort through the visitor centre, as more than just a frame of reference or a photogenic wonder. The immersive experiences engage the visitors of Red Fort. In extension, Delhi city to enjoy the cultural richness and admire the Indian heritage’s ingenuity with open nooks of aesthetically pleasing and highly functional explorations. Overall, it distinguishes this monument of national importance as a universal landmark of courage, sapience, knowledge, and hands-on innovation.

Fact File

Designed by: Design Factory India

Project Type: Community, Restoration, Heritage

Project Name: Red Fort Center

Location: New Delhi

Year Built: 2022

Built-up Area: 138600 Sq.ft

Creative Director: Siddharth Bathla

Photograph Courtesy: Andre J. Fanthome

Design Director: Prashasti Chandra

Project Architect: Prashul Sharma

Graphic Designer: Suryanath Sunny

Client: Dalmia Bharat Group

Source: Archdaily

Firm’s Website Link: Design Factory India

Firm’s Instagram Link: Design Factory India

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