In this exclusive session, Ar. Sonal Mithal shares experiences mapping various derelict and ruined industrial sites to explore their potential for adaptive reuse. Further, Sonal discusses an evolving methodology for mapping urban and historical sites through a feminist lens. Focusing on Kesar Bagh, a former garden-palace complex in Lucknow. Though popularly known as the palace of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, research reveals that Kesar Bagh functioned more as a feminized garden space that supported queer, performative, and inclusive social dynamics. The talk centers on Sonal’s studio at CEPT University, where students collaborated to map the spatial, ecological, and political transformations of Kesar Bagh over time.
The process involved uniformizing and spatializing diverse datasets. Further, ranging from archival texts to ecological surveys, and visualizing them through clear legends and vector-based maps. These maps expose overlapping systems of erasure, appropriation, and transformation. By treating mapping as an argumentative and analytical tool, the work reveals how space reflects and perpetuates contested politics, marginalization, and opportunity.
Feminist Spatial Analysis: Kesar Bagh is reframed as a feminist and queer space. Here, performance, inclusivity, and embodied politics challenged colonial notions of propriety, form, and hierarchy.
Critique of Colonial Aesthetics: British characterizations of Kesar Bagh as “vulgar” stemmed from their discomfort with spatial ambiguity. The mapping exercise validates these expressions as rich and politically significant.
Mapping as Argumentation: Rather than simply representing physical form, mapping argues positions on erasure, identity, transformation, and resistance. Further, through legend design, layered data, and visual complexity, they are identified.
Uniformization and Spatialization: Effective mapping depends on simplifying diverse data sources and placing them spatially, allowing patterns and politics to emerge.
Typological Fluidity: The team mapped spatial typologies across three temporal layers, showing how functions and meanings of spaces change and overlap, forming a complex “glitch” rather than a linear narrative.
Ecological and Infrastructural Histories: By tracing historical vegetation, water systems, and soil conditions, the team demonstrated how colonial interventions fragmented previously integrated ecological systems.
Contested Ownership and Public Space: Mapping current and historical ownership revealed Kesar Bagh as a contested landscape. The search for inclusive, shared public space led to insights about the sociopolitical potential of even basic infrastructure, like public toilets.
Through the case of Kesar Bagh, this masterclass showcases how mapping can be a radical, feminist act, resisting dominant historical narratives and uncovering marginalized spatial histories. By turning mapping into a tool of political critique and creative reimagination, Sonal and her students reframe adaptive reuse. Moreover, the session reimagines mapping as a practice of care, argument, and resistance.
The designers envision Asterix Café as a flagship destination that challenges café design conventions. While coffee culture often associates with warm, pastel tones, Asterix dares to be different by embracing darkness as its defining aesthetic. Designed by UrbanNest Design Studio, the bespoke cafe is a bold experiment in creating a multi-functional, community centric space where […]
Adorn, a home filled with earthen design and the laughter of a family of four, nestles in the peaceful neighborhood of Selvapuram, Coimbatore. “On one side, it shares boundaries with cozy family homes; meanwhile, the other side opens to expansive fields dotted with tall trees.” The fresh air scented with greenery sets a calming atmosphere […]
Situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Anandvan residence beautifully embodies biophilic design, fostering a deep connection with nature through its thoughtful integration of outdoor and indoor spaces through open courtyards. Open Courtyards And A Biophilic Design Connect The Outdoors With The Indoors | R+R Architects Location The location and surroundings played a significant role in determining the […]
Located in the breathtaking Sahyadri mountains of Igatpuri, Nashik, the sloping roof home is a masterclass in harmonizing architecture with nature. We’ve preserved the natural contours, shaping them into steps that enhance the landscape’s visual appeal. This Sloping Roof Home in The Sahyadri’s Sits Harmoniously With Nature | Unbound Studio Design Elements The design guides […]
The residence 36 is a double storey residence with 4 bedrooms, drawing room, double height living area, kitchen with dining area, home theatre and gym. The elevation is a synthesis of the verticality and spiritual symbolism of Gothic elements in the architecture with the proportional harmony and symmetry of Classical design. Gothic Elements And Classical […]
In a calm and serene residential area of Mysore, a 10,000 sq. ft. site with mature mango and coconut trees set the stage for Eden Kindergarten school. One half of the land was already occupied by an existing block, while the other half was shaded by the canopy of old trees. Instead of altering this […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]
The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]