Author: Aishwarya Dubey
Site Location: Amritsar, Punjab
Institute: MIT School of Architecture
Advisor: Ar.Lisha Bendre
description
Saur Saar: 1947 Partition Memorial, located in Amritsar, is designed to capture the emotional upheaval of Partition—a time marked by horror, displacement, and loss. The thesis revolves around using simplicity in architecture to reflect these emotions. By blending basic elements like light, volume, space, and levels, the design echoes the emptiness and confusion experienced during this period.
The minimalistic approach strips away ornamentation, allowing light and space to guide visitors through an emotional journey. As the day progresses, light shifts to create a dynamic interplay between shadow and openness, symbolizing both the darkness of loss and the hope of resilience. The building’s levels move visitors from confined, introspective spaces into larger, more open volumes, representing the stages of grief, reflection, and healing.
This memorial is not just a space for remembrance but also a forward-thinking project that embraces climate-sensitive architecture. The design incorporates natural light and ventilation, reducing its environmental footprint while using sustainable materials to align with eco-conscious principles. Amritsar, with its rich culture and deep connection to Partition, is the ideal location for this memorial, where architecture, history, and emotion come together to honour the past while sighting the future. “Saur Saar”, to growing towards light.
drawings
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