The upcoming visit of French President Francois Hollande to Chandigarh is likely to help the UT Administration complete the Capitol Complex projects. Hollande, who will be the chief guest at the Republic Day function in New Delhi, has evinced interest to see the works of Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier.
Sources said the French President was expected to spend maximum time at the Capitol Complex, which was a part of transnational dossier prepared with five other countries where Corbusier left his imprint and would be submitted to UNESCO for world heritage status.
....
Sources said the Administration was also keen on completing two pending projects, Museum of Knowledge and Martyrs’ Memorial.
A senior UT official said there were many sketches and original drawings, which have been kept at the Le Corbusier Foundation in France.
There are various monuments in the Capitol Complex symbolising the basis of the philosophy by which Corbusier arrived at his understanding of the city design.
Martyrs’ Memorial is dedicated to the martyrs of the country and consists of a square enclosure with a side elongated into a ramp by which one mounts the enclosing wall. The Geometric Hill is situated adjacent to the memorial.
Sources said original drawing of the memorial was lying at the foundation and with the help of the experts of the foundation, the project would be completed.
The Museum of Knowledge will be set up as per the original design plan of the French architect. Based on the four postulates laid down by Le Corbusier — ethics, sociology, economics, technology — the museum would be a state-of-the-art building with discussion rooms, seminar rooms, research facilities and a library-cum-research centre. It will also house an exhibition/display room with all related facilities.