BY: Design Consortium

1. FLIGHT OF FREEDOM
“Architecture, through its own particular way of
expressing values can stimulate and influence
social life”, and this is what the design attempts.
The Flight of Freedom is a step towards creating a
new identity for Kashmir.
The design, a 35 room hotel, is an
outcome of analysis of India’s spiritual
and built traditions, as well as its deeper
realms
of
cosmology,
myth
and
meaning. It was a real challenge to
transform the underlying idioms into
modern symbolic forms. Flight of
Freedom has a deliberate reference to
Garuda (a mythological bird). It has
been perceived as a symbolic flight
towards a new dawn- a monument
towards achieving peace, harmony and
equity. The built form resonates the
spirit of freedom as a bird in flight with
open wings bringing people of all castes
and creeds together with facilities for
hospitality and recreation.
IIA AWARDS 2009
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FLIGHT OF FREEDOM I
Category : Research
The rich palette of Indian
cultures, traditions and values in
Kashmir has made it the most
sought after destination across
all continents. Set like a jeweled
crown on the map of India,
Kashmir with its orchards and
lily laden lakes has always been
extravagantly
beautiful.
Pahalgam, in Kashmir, is nestled
in a lush green valley at the
confluence
of
the
streams
flowing from Sheshang Lake and
the Lidder River. Pahalgam is
one of the most magnificent
tourism
centers
with
breathtaking views. With the
booming scope of hospitality
and influx of tourists, after a
prolonged period of political
turmoil and social unrest, the
Jammu
Kashmir
Tourism
Development
Corporation
(JKTDC) had floated a design
competition for design ideas to
promote tourism.
PAHALGAM, KASHMIR
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2. Concept
Category : Research
The main axis is kept parallel to
the access road while the guest
block is aligned facing South with
an axis at skewed 7-degree angle.
This results in maximum South
facing facades and also enables a
majestic view of the valley sloping
towards the river.
Form of the building is such to
capture
maximum
solar
gain
through natural means and store it
within the high mass construction.
With an orientation best suited to
catch the day long sun through
extensive south glazing, not only
optimizes passive heat gain but also
allows the main living areas to
benefit in decreasing heating loads.
Roof plan highlighting the form
Section Emphasizing Design Consideration
IIA AWARDS 2009
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FLIGHT OF FREEDOM
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PAHALGAM, KASHMIR
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3. Design consideration
Category : Research
Extract fans are provided in the roof
section to have winter ventilation
Small north facing window to provide
cross-ventilation
High level
ventilation.
openable
windows
for
Ventilation blinds to reduce solar
ventilation and cooling of room.
Photovoltaic cell controlled Automatic
or manually openable shutters are
used as they can work as reflectors
when open and insulators when
closed.
Warm air getting into building.
Massive wall for heat storage with
double glazed windows.
Folding paper blinds under glazing to
reduce summer overheating and
glare
Sashless windows to provide sunlight
and protect the room from moisture
The building is the first commercial
modern structure to reduce the energy
load
by
40%
approximately
in
comparison to its counterpart designs
over the years.
Insulating blinds over windows to
reduced heat loss.
SECTION A-A
IIA AWARDS 2009
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FLIGHT OF FREEDOM
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PAHALGAM, KASHMIR
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4. Design
Category : Research
B
A
A
1.Reception cum lounge
11.Kitchen
2.Conference room
12.Gymnasium
3.Business centre`
13.Games room
4.Office
14.Spa
5.Rooms
15.Sauna
7.Banquet
Lower floor plan
A
A
16.House keeping
9.Restaurant
Trombe Wall panels provide
Warmed air to individual rooms
Ground floor plan
17.Linen
B
Upper floor plan
Solar panels provide domestic
hot water
Ridge ventilators were used to
Prevent roof condensation
Glazing attached
to wall
Air vents allow
hot air in and
cold air out
Water filled cylinders store
solar heat for release in the
evening.
Diagram shows Air circulation
in Trombe Wall
•LONGITUDNAL SECTION AT B-B’
SECTION B-B
IIA AWARDS 2009
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FLIGHT OF FREEDOM
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PAHALGAM, KASHMIR
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5. Design
Category : Research
CONTRASTING
ELEVATIONS
SOUTH SIDE ELEVATION
NORTH SIDE ELEVATION
PENETRATING BLOCKS IN FLIGHT
USAGE OF LOCAL MATERIALS
SITE PLAN
IIA AWARDS 2009
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FLIGHT OF FREEDOM
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PAHALGAM, KASHMI
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6. Research
Category : Research
Energy gain (solar)
The Energy is generated
from the solar panels of
the roof .
Solar LEDs
Solar Water Heaters
Solar Panels
Rain Water Harvesting
Components:
Catchments- (Paved area, terrace, courtyard,
lawn, open ground, RCC roof, G.I/C.I sheet
roof)
Coarse mesh- at roof to prevent the passage of
debris.
Conduits- PVC/GI material. Sizing of conduits is
According to avg. rate of Rainfall
First flushing device (diversion valve)- facilitates
drainage of pollutants from air/catchment surface.
There are two main techniques of rain water
harvestings:
- Storage of rainwater on surface for future use.
- Recharge to ground water.
Decentralized Waste Water Treatment System (DEWATS)
It is an Underground structure. The top of the
treatment plant can be used for garden, parking
space etc.
It has Low initial & maintenance cost
The Components are : Settler, Anaerobic Baffled
Reactor, Anaerobic Filter, Planted gravel filter.
Maintenance is Required after every 12
months.
It can treat up to 1000 cu.m. of waste
water/day
Treated waste water can be used for kitchen,
toilets, landscaping purpose.
IIA AWARDS 2009
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FLIGHT OF FREEDOM
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PAHALGAM, KASHMIR
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