Since its establishment in 1984, the Kanoria Centre for Arts has consistently evolved to meet the changing needs of the artistic community, expanding both in form and function. Founded by Urmila Kanoria, the Centre’s original design was conceived by renowned architect Balkrishna Doshi. Over the years, as the Centre’s requirements grew, additional facilities such as gallery spaces and studio areas were incorporated, enhancing the campus’s capacity to foster artistic expression.
Editor’s Note: “The Urmila Kailash Black Box, more than a structure, marks a bold new chapter in Kanoria Centre’s artistic Legacy. This campus is a tribute to BV Doshi’s legacy and vision, where art, architecture, and memory converge. Moreover, it is an invitation to artists, thinkers, and dreamers to thrive in the evolving creative landscape.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
Kanoria Centre for Arts Grows to Become a Leading Artistic Hub | Studio Sangath
In 2020, Balkrishna Doshi entrusted Khushnu Panthaki Hoof and Sönke Hoof, the founders and principal architects of Studio Sangath, with the responsibility of overseeing new developments at the Kanoria Centre for Arts.
This partnership resulted in the completion of the latest addition to the campus, the Urmila Kailash Black Box, in 2024. The Black Box represents a significant milestone in the Kanoria Centre for Art’s ongoing transformation.
Designed with a profound respect for the existing architectural language of the campus, the building draws inspiration from the surrounding structures, aiming to create a harmonious connection between the old and the new.
The surrounding landscape too was designed in a way that it plays a pivotal role in this integration, providing a fluid transition between spaces and blurring the boundaries between the original architecture and the latest additions. This approach ensures that the campus maintains a cohesive and unified character.
The Urmila Kailash Black Box itself introduces a new typology—one that responds to the specific functional needs of a dynamic space for art, performance, theatre, discussions, and celebrations.
The versatile design of the Black Box allows it to accommodate a wide range of artistic practices and events. Moreover, its architectural relationship to the broader campus fosters a vibrant and cohesive environment for creative expression.
Fact File
Designed by: Studio Sangath
Project Type: Museums & Exhibit, Educational Architecture
Project Name: Urmila Kailash Black Box, Kanoria Centre for Arts Campus
Location: Ahmedabad, India
Year Built: 2024
Built Up Area: 2228.13 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Khushnu Panthaki Hoof & Sonke Hoof
Project Team: Vidhi Solanki, Ansal & Keshav
Photograph Courtesy: Ishi Sitwala & kunnaldass
Architect / Measure Drawings & Renders: Rodolfo
Contractor: Vasant Prajapati
Structural Design: Hitesh Rathi, Rathi Consortium
Source: ArchDaily
Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Sangath
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