Making a place to remember those who gave their lives for the country since independence in 1947 at the Rashtriya Sainika Smaraka at Bangalore began on our design boards sometime in late 2008 and broke ground in mid-2010. The Memorial is conceived as place of quiet remembrance and homage. 

Schematic view of the 'ritual' path
Schematic view of the 'ritual' path: A ceremonial path of commemoration begins at a series of plaques with the physical marking of 21,763 martyr’s names and proceeds into a motivation hall that houses information of the missions undertaken by our Martyrs. It ends at a 60’ high flagpole beside the ‘Veeragallu’,  a symbolic stone that marks the heroic death of a warrior in battle. © Mathew and Ghosh Architects
Plan at Surface Level
Plan at Surface Level: The path then slopes gradually into the ground, as the motivation hall was designed to disappear into the ground, with an intent to retain an important green space within the city. The path finally leads to a motivation hall that houses information about the selfless and brave missions undertaken by our martyrs. © Mathew and Ghosh Architects
Plan of Memorial Hall
Plan of Memorial Hall: The structure below ground meanders between the roots of the trees to preserve a large part of the vegetation. Of the 324 trees at site, only 4 eucalyptus trees were removed to accommodate the structure while 40 trees were newly planted. © Mathew and Ghosh Architects

The Entrance to the motivation hall through a large open court with amphitheatre-like steps is the first of 5 courts that serve to provide ventilation and daylight into the underground structure.

Motivation Hall
Motivation Hall In addition to the open courts, triangular skylights animate the space through the day. The hall feels almost like a concrete bunker with the raw finishes of exposed concrete. © Mathew and Ghosh Architects
Series of plaques
Series of plaques Marking names of the martyrs © Mathew and Ghosh Architects
Memorial plaque construction details
Memorial plaque construction details © Mathew and Ghosh Architects

With the intent of retaining an important green space within the city, the built form of the motivational hall was designed to disappear into the ground. The structure below ground meanders between the roots of the trees to preserve a large part of the vegetation.

Placing the Veeragallu
Placing the Veeragallu © Mathew and Ghosh Architects