Public and Cultural Architecture that Shapes Community
We view public architecture as a dialogue with the city, transforming functional spaces into community landmarks that evolve with the people who inhabit them.
The sculpture court at the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) in Bengaluru, a semi-outdoor gallery space that connects the museum to the city. We designed this area to be a tranquil threshold, where art, nature, and the urban environment can be experienced together.
The facade of the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) features a skin of stainless steel panels embossed with a cross pattern, a nod to the water tanks that are a common sight in the region. The interior staircase is lit with colored light, creating a playful and memorable experience for visitors.
A view from the upper level of the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) looking out towards the Bengaluru skyline. The circulation spaces are designed to be open and transparent, constantly connecting visitors back to the city context outside.
The Bethel Baptist Church in Bengaluru, a project where we re-imagined the traditional church typology. The design is non-denominational and free of overt symbols, using form and light, like the linear skylight over the altar, to create a space that feels both sacred and communal.
A magazine feature showcasing several of our projects, including the Byg Brewski brewery, the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP), and the Cinnamon store. This highlights the diversity of our work, from large public venues to intimate retail spaces.
This page from a feature in Elle Decor shows our House in the Nilgiris and Freedom Park in Bengaluru. Freedom Park was a project where we transformed the grounds of a former jail into a public space for the city, layering new meaning onto a site with a complex history.
An interior view of the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP), showing the interplay of different levels and the flow of space. The design uses light and volume to guide visitors through the galleries, creating a journey of discovery.
A detail shot of a steel beam connection at the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP). We believe in an honest expression of structure, where the bolts, plates, and joints that hold the building together become part of its architectural character.
A detail shot of a steel beam connection at the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP). We believe in an honest expression of structure, where the bolts, plates, and joints that hold the building together become part of its architectural character.
Light and shadow play across a doorway and signage inside the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP). The design carefully considers how light interacts with surfaces to create atmosphere and guide movement through the space.
About Public & Cultural Architecture
In our public work, we prioritize the honest expression of structure. You can see this in how we expose steel joints at the Museum of Art and Photography or allow light to fall directly on an altar to mark the time, letting the architecture itself communicate the function of the space without needing extra ornamentation.
Public architecture is not about building a container. It is about understanding the urban fabric. When we approached the Museum of Art and Photography in Bengaluru, our focus was to create a threshold, a place where the city meets art. We used stainless steel panels to reflect the surroundings, tying the building into the neighborhood visually.
Similarly, for the Bethel Baptist Church, we stripped away denominational symbols. By using a linear skylight to track the movement of the sun, we allow the architecture to dictate the mood, creating a space for reflection that is accessible to everyone regardless of their background. This methodology holds true even for our urban revitalization projects like Freedom Park. We do not look to replace history. We look to layer new meanings onto sites that already possess a strong narrative. Whether it is a place of worship or a cultural institution, our process remains the same: identify the human energy of the site, use honest materials like concrete and steel, and design for the long term.
Mathew and Ghosh
I am Soumitro Ghosh, working alongside Nisha. We have spent three decades in Bengaluru watching the city change. We do not believe in architecture that shouts. We prefer spaces that listen to the history of a site and the people who walk through it.
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