{"id":313,"date":"2023-09-29T10:02:13","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T10:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/smalldivine.com\/?p=313"},"modified":"2023-10-04T11:28:06","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T11:28:06","slug":"conservation-groups-call-for-charles-correas-under-threat-modernist-stadium-to-be-saved","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/smalldivine.com\/index.php\/2023\/09\/29\/conservation-groups-call-for-charles-correas-under-threat-modernist-stadium-to-be-saved\/","title":{"rendered":"Conservation groups call for Charles Correa’s under-threat modernist stadium to be saved"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Sardar<\/div>\n

Conservation groups including the\u00a0Twentieth Century Society<\/a>\u00a0and World Monuments Fund<\/a>\u00a0have called for the 1960s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad<\/a>, India, to be saved from demolition.<\/span><\/p>\n

The groups made statements following news that the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium, which was designed by Indian architect Charles Correa<\/a>, is set to be demolished as part of Ahmedabad’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics.<\/p>\n

\"Sardar
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad is under threat of demolition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“The SVP Stadium is a modernist Indian coliseum: a remarkable example of innovative and expressive post-Independence design, and one of architect Charles Correa’s most distinctive buildings,” said a Twentieth Century Society<\/a> spokesperson.<\/p>\n

“We join international voices in calling for this architectural and sporting landmark to be saved, and not face the same fate as the Hall of Nations in Delhi [designed by Raj Rewal] \u2013 demolished in 2017 despite a global outcry.”<\/p>\n

Demolition “in-principle greenlit”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The stadium is set to be demolished and replaced with a modern facility ahead of the potential Olympics in 2036, reported local newspaper\u00a0Ahmedabad\u00a0Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to the publication, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has “in principle greenlit the plan” to demolish the building.<\/p>\n

\"Sardar
It was designed by Charles Correa in the 1960s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Designed in collaboration with engineer Mahendra Raj, the stadium was built largely from pre-cast components and has a distinctive appearance with a sculptural facade. Its stands are partially covered by a cantilevered, concrete roof.<\/p>\n

In recent years the stadium has fallen into a state of disrepair and has now been declared unfit for use by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.<\/p>\n

Stadium “characterised India’s post-independence period”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The stadium was named in the World Monuments Fund’<\/a>s most under-threat buildings list in 2020 due to its architectural significance.<\/p>\n

According to the organisation it “represents the progressive ideals and experimental spirit that characterised India’s post-independence period” and is\u00a0“notable for its visionary use of concrete and cantilevering”.<\/p>\n