The competition projected at conceiving art for outdoor areas which can reaches beyond the gallery or the exhibition and touches large number of people going about their everyday lives. It can profoundly change the character, even usage and significance of public space. It is a powerful medium for enhancing, livening and creating a sense of belonging and association to particular places.

The concept of “A Missed Heart Beat” refers to “a broken rhythm”, both in the city fabric and in the life of its citizens, due to the disruption of everyday routine life caused by elements of change (events undesired). The project concerns life in the urban landscape of the city. The city which is famous for its pace and glamour attracts everybody and drives them offering too many opportunities and little time to chose. On this journey one hardly comes across a pause point, where one can reflect.
The Ellis Bridge, a major landmark in the city of Ahmedabad, as well as an artery of public transport across the river Sabarmati was constructed by British engineers in 1870 and had a wooden structure, which was later modified to suit heavy motorized traffic by making extensions on either side of the original bridge. The traffic was diverted to the extended area while the original bridge is preserved as a landmark. Its presence is not acknowledged. The space has become empty and devoid of meaning. Being the first bridge constructed 127 years ago to initiate the expansion of the city on the west side of the river, Today, the bridge stands quietly without any passerby amidst heavy traffic and noise as a hazy remembrance of its past glory. The city requires such place for the people to come together to reflect and contemplate what is there and what is missing. The site selected thus is a redundant bridge of historic significance. The space which once used to connect the city can now be used to connect the people with others as well as themselves. Art is introduced as a tool to develop a new identity for the historic bridge, which will help generate such connections.
The design strategy is to create a space for contemplation on the bridge isolated from traffic. Mirrors are introduced as an element of art at various angles capturing different views of the city life using the frame of the existing truss. Clear glass panels are placed at strategic location to generate a desired pattern of movement which brings the person moving through them in contact with different views and his own reflection. This frequent contact with ones reflection touching upon different aspects is what is required today in cities.
The project aimed at bringing a neglected part of the city to life and giving it back to the people. It is the responsibility of the design community to revive outdated parts of the city and transform it into more conducive humane environments, thus creating a new history and a message for the future generations.
Our resolve to inculcate art as a tool which can create a window to look at city life was not given due consideration. In today’s scenario where enough work is going on in this field, we found this opportunity to present the concerned project to the larger international forum would do justice to this new idea of looking at cities.

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