Adalaj Stepwell
Traditional builders under Rudabai's patronage · Adalaj, India · 1499
Adalaj Stepwell combines a deep descent with a complex sequence of landings, columns and carved screens. Daylight changes as visitors move below ground, making the structure both water infrastructure and a carefully moderated social space. Its architecture brings together regional building traditions within an unusually elaborate and spatially varied subterranean setting. Visiting: Public exterior and ordinary circulation areas can be viewed without a visitor ticket. Journeys and controlled platforms have separate ticket requirements.