Castella De Aguada

‘Perhaps the composition and layout of surfaces constitute what they afford. If so, to perceive them is to perceive what they afford. This is a radical hypothesis, for it implies that the “values” and “meanings” of things in the environment can be directly perceived. 

Moreover, it would explain the sense in which values and meanings are external 

to the perceiver’, argues James Gibson in his text ‘The Theory of Affordances’ emphasizing how spaces are read as habitable or lack thereof by different beings. Merleau Ponty's philosophy of the body being far more important of a measure than any cartesian unit for determining the dimension and shapes of spaces supports the former argument as he delves into the history of human shelter, habits and practices which have made the body and mind feel comfort, safety, exposure, etc. strongly or otherwise in certain spaces. I see these two theories in confluence in Castella De Aguada, more commonly known as Bandra Fort, located at Land Ends, Bandra, Mumbai. 

Originally built by the Portuguese in 1640, as a military watchpoint to overlook the Mahim Bay and southern islands of Mumbai, which were then under their control. The fort also was a harbor for ships as inside it was a source of freshwater for travelers. Since then, it has changed hands multiple times, constantly being altered and destroyed either voluntarily to keep enemies away or by ignorance and natural decay. The fort then sprang up to attention in late 90’s as a possible spot of public interaction and activity. Like all defense structures of the time, the fort is made up of thick, tall stone masonry walls spanning across the entire hill with gaps for using ammunition. Maximum of the vegetation was conserved as it's dense envelope was a defense mechanism in itself. 

As one starts walking along the wide road leading up to the main gate, huge trees lie on the right side under which eateries have come up to serve the visitors in large numbers as a waiting space providing shade. After stepping inside the fort boundaries, the body is free to explore multiple routes rather than being directed formally. However the only original standing structure immediately grabs one's attention, a straight walkway with a deck leading to the topmost point of the fort consisting of steps and walls on both sides throughout. Previously used as an attacking facade, is now majorly occupied as it has continuous wide horizontal and vertical surfaces as the wall sections break and gain height making them as Gibson puts it ‘sit-on-able’. People are observed leaning against them, resting with their eyes closed engulfed in the sea breeze or wide open staring into the horizon to attain some calm from their busy city lives. The stone underneath  provides comfort, cool and grounded. The interior spaces are navigated through wandering along the trees, ramps and steps. The non-uniformity of levels form pockets of spaces at a higher ground surrounded by small bushes and it's adjacent retaining walls which act as informal benches for having private conversations. Huge canopies of trees above also add to the intimacy factor as James Gibson also states, ‘An observer can perceive not only that other observers are unhidden or hidden from him but also that he is hidden or unhidden from other observers.’ Flat surfaces located in the upper part are now utilized as playing areas for kids and open spaces covered in grass naturally pull in larger groups as spaces of gathering and public talks. One observation I thought of as particularly interesting was the affordance of thrill and danger. Whether it's right or wrong is a different topic altogether. Huge stone block levels have been a part of the original construction used as docking points and emergency escape routes. People are seen jumping over them, each level being a bit higher than about 1.5 metres. There exists fear but the blocks invite the body to experience thrill. Similarly, stones along the periphery of the fort are carved by water over years, creating low seating where one could interact with water, momentarily being distant from the crowd and taking in the vast expanse of the ocean. A few years ago, the edge was fenced with steel bar railings but of no use as they failed to distract and direct one to follow the landscape. On the contrary, plant pots placed along the steeper contours in a way afforded ‘safety’ acting as a softer intervention rather than the steel bars which were an eyesore. 

Bandra fort has undergone many changes, few of them which took place in the past two years have been somewhat bothersome as they are too direct and dictating. The paving of the promenade with small concrete blocks which are already in process of breakage. Readymade steel benches which compared to the older, lower and longer concrete seating which fit in the landscape. Manicured, wire-fenced plants and the above-mentioned additions hold the body and mind captive rather than freeing it to become one with the environment and creates a confusing contrast and language which takes away from the history and spirit of the space. 

Castella De Aguada is an important example of free and accessible spaces where people of all social groups can coexist with each of them finding a place for themselves according to their purpose as the body signals the mind to occupy a certain space analyzing its preference to company, scale, weather, ground cover and changing topography.