South Bombay or SoBo, arguably is India’s leading art district that exudes a character which is reminiscent of yesteryear, with a flair for the contemporary. The area is an expanse of culture and heritage with an eclectic blend of styles – Neo-Classical, Gothic, Victorian, Art Deco – that corroborate the unique spirit of the place.
As an architecture and design house, we wanted to land a studio space, within the district, conducive to our sensibilities.
The space, atop a 100-year-old Victorian era heritage structure, was acquired with the windows boarded up, wooden trusses braced with metal and brick walls segregating different zones.
The idea of unearthing and discovering, rather than a set mandatory approach, was adopted not only to respect, retain and celebrate the spirit of the place but also respond to the myriad experiences the space could possibly offer.
The studio has been envisioned as a multi-functional and flexible design solution. One that pushes the boundaries of conventional studios – where collaborative sessions, workshops and exhibitions can be held, bring forth a new discourse within the fraternity and bridge the gap between students and professionals.
The Loft is a poetic expression wherein the creation and the nature of the existing structure are allowed to take the reins and drive the design forward.
