Kolkata | West Bengal
Kalavaani exemplifies the art of adaptive reuse, transforming a utilitarian canteen into a sophisticated gallery space for exhibitions.
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Principal Designer
Abin Chaudhuri
Design Team
Jui Malik, Plaban Mitra, Miraj Sutaria, Arpita Banerjee
+ Credits
Situated within Swabhumi, a cultural hub envisioned by the Ambuja Neotia Group, the project reflects a harmonious blend of heritage and innovation. Kalavaani integrates Swabhumi's ethos of 'Rajkutir' while redefining its purpose, establishing a dialogue between the past and the contemporary.
The redesign prioritized seamless spatial transitions and enhanced natural light quality, achieved through strategic interventions. The removal of original rooftops, replaced with skylights, allowed natural light to flood the interiors, creating an optimal environment for exhibitions and fostering a connection with the outdoors.
At the heart of this transformation lies a central plaza, redefined as a dynamic public congregation space. This plaza serves as the spatial anchor, enabling an organic flow for users between gallery displays and enhancing the overall experiential quality.
Through the interplay of light, landscape, and architecture, Kalavaani emerges as a beacon for artistic and cultural expression, redefining spatial narratives while celebrating Kolkata’s architectural legacy.
Kalavaani challenges conventional notions of adaptive reuse by addressing programmatic shifts with architectural sensitivity. It reimagines architecture’s role in balancing legacy preservation with cultural innovation.
