SHE Block—Breastfeeding Centres for “Mothers on the Move”—is one of the pioneering CSR initiatives by Aangan Collaborative LLP for the Surat Municipal Corporation, aimed at promoting inclusive, dignified, and accessible urban spaces. Conceived as naturally lit breastfeeding courts, SHE Block offers a safe, secure, and comfortable environment for mothers to nurse their infants while navigating the city. The architecture is intentionally warm and inviting—the soft, curvilinear form removes the institutional stiffness often associated with public facilities. Each of the four executed blocks, strategically located at high women-footfall zones in different parts of Surat, responds to the surrounding context while maintaining the design identity of the initiative. These locations—spread across the city’s transit hubs, market areas, and community nodes—ensure maximum accessibility for women from diverse backgrounds.
Aangan Collaborative LLP
Under the CSR initiatives, each block celebrates materiality and craftsmanship through its distinct brick hue, ranging from earthy terracotta to warm ochre, giving every structure a sense of individuality while tying them together as a recognisable civic typology. Inside, the design is guided by empathy and functionality: supportive seating for mothers, plug points for breast pumps, and thoughtfully scaled spaces for privacy without isolation. A small play court for toddlers keeps older siblings engaged, while integrated child-friendly toilets and diaper-changing platforms maintain hygiene and convenience.
This first-of-its-kind public infrastructure under CSR initiatives, addresses a long-neglected urban necessity—recognising the physical, emotional, and logistical challenges faced by women in the public realm. By embedding gender-sensitive design into civic infrastructure, SHE Block redefines how cities can and should respond to the needs of caregivers.
The architecture deliberately avoids the appearance of a “public toilet” or a “health kiosk.” Instead, it asserts itself as a civic sanctuary, designed not out of charity but out of recognition of rights. It dismantles the stigma around breastfeeding in public by offering a dedicated, dignified space—acknowledging that care work is not a private burden, but a public reality that deserves visibility and respect.
At its core, SHE Block is about urban justice. Equitable cities cannot be achieved without addressing gender disparities in access to public space. Maternal needs—particularly breastfeeding—are rarely considered in master plans, transport policies, or public amenity strategies. This initiative not only inserts these needs into the urban conversation but does so in a way that uplifts the experience through beauty, comfort, and thoughtful detailing.
The SHE Block is also a provocation: Why should public amenities be perfunctory, mundane, or alienating? Why should beauty be reserved for museums, monuments, and commercial centres, while mothers manage in corners or makeshift spots? Through its intimate scale, architectural dignity, and high functionality, the SHE Block demonstrates that public infrastructure can be both utilitarian and inspiring.
Fact File
Designed by: Aangan Collaborative LLP
Project Type: Cultural Architecture Design
Project Name: She Block Breastfeeding Centers for Mothers on the Move
Location: Surat, Gujarat
Year Built: 2024
Built-up Area: 800 sqft
Principal Architects: Ar. Vishal Desai & Ar. Vishal Shah
Photograph Courtesy: Neesarfotografy- Mr. Tarun Hirapara and Vreidarch studio – Ar. Shivam Vasava
Project Cordinator: Ar. Prakruti Desai
Project Engineer: Er. Harry Icecreamwala
Project Team: Ar. Aesha Shah
Landscape: Aangan Collaborative LLP
Furniture And Accessories Design: Aangan Collaborative LLP
Structure Engineer: S & V Engineers, Surat
Contractor: Parikshit Lathia, Samarthya Group
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Aangan Collaborative LLP
Firm’s Instagram Link: Aangan Collaborative LLP
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