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Spaces for People: Democratic Public Hubs and Social Architecture

byMathew and GhoshVisit Studio in Koramangala; Projects across Bengaluru & IndiaStarts from₹220 per sq. ft. of built-up areaView full gallery

Architecture is a conversation with the city. Whether crafting a public park or an urban social hub, we believe spaces should remain democratic, fostering genuine community connection rather than exclusion.

A visit to Freedom Park in Bengaluru, the site of the former Central Jail that we redesigned. The park is now a living public space, used by the community for leisure, reflection, and cultural events.

Our design for Biergarten in Bellandur embraces its urban setting, with open balconies overlooking the flyover and metro line. We turned the city's infrastructure and traffic into a dynamic backdrop for social gathering.

The atmosphere at Biergarten at night, where light projections and a central fountain create a playful and energetic environment, turning the brewery into a vibrant urban courtyard.

Bob's Bar was designed to evoke the relaxed, conversational spirit of old Bangalore. The black and white visuals highlight the classic interior design, where the focus is on creating a comfortable vibe for friends and family.

A glimpse of another microbrewery project under construction. The design works with the surrounding urban fabric, including the adjacent flyover, to create a unique spectacle that engages with the city's energy.

This collage from an Elle Decor feature includes an image of Freedom Park, showcasing how we transform sites with difficult histories into open, democratic public spaces.

About Spaces for People: Public Parks & Social Hubs

Designing a social hub amidst the bustle of Bengaluru requires embracing the city rather than shielding oneself from it. At venues like Biergarten, we purposefully oriented balconies toward the flyover, transforming traffic and movement into a dynamic backdrop for conversation, proving that seclusion is not the only way to find peace in an urban environment.

Architects of Bengaluru's Freedom Park — Approved by the tribe
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Mathew and Ghosh

Visit Studio in Koramangala; Projects across Bengaluru & IndiaStarts from ₹220 per sq. ft. of built-up area

I am Soumitro, and alongside Nisha, we have spent three decades watching Bengaluru evolve. We do not just build structures; we create settings for conversations, where the history of a site and the pulse of the city meet.

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This diagram, featured in the LA Journal of Landscape Architecture, illustrates the core principles behind my Indiranagar public park project. It details ten key strategies for transforming a standard park into a vibrant, accessible, and multi-generational public space.
This conceptual sketch shows a central community court shaded by a sculptural parasol. The design creates an inviting public commons where residents can gather, sheltered by both the structure and the surrounding foliage.
This early sketch visualizes a community deck extending over a natural water catchment pond. The design creates a serene public space at the edge of the site, offering a place for quiet reflection overlooking the water.

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**Nepean Greens, Mumbai:** We transformed a neglected space into a vibrant, stepped public plaza. The wide platforms, created from black granite with highlights of Jaisalmer stone, invite people to sit, gather, and connect, turning a simple staircase into a community hub.37
**Nepean Greens, Mumbai:** The plaza is nestled within a lush green environment, offering a tranquil escape in the heart of the city. The design integrates pathways and seating with existing trees and new plantings to create a harmonious public space.
**Nepean Greens, Mumbai:** Accessibility was a key consideration. We designed a continuous, gently sloping ramp alongside the steps to ensure the plaza is welcoming and usable for the elderly and people with disabilities, connecting two streets at different levels.
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The interior of our Telangana High Court proposal features grand arched colonnades, creating a space that is both monumental and filled with light. The design segregates public and private zones while using natural materials to evoke a sense of timeless authority and calm.
The public hall in our High Court design, featuring a coffered ceiling and clear wayfinding to ensure efficiency and order. The space is designed to be open, accessible, and filled with natural light, reflecting the democratic ideals of the institution it houses.
A courtroom concept for the Telangana High Court, where traditional wood paneling and arched windows are reinterpreted in a modern, minimalist language. The design aims to create a space of dignity and focus, conducive to the serious work of justice.

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An overview of the Koramangala Club annexe, a 100-meter-long addition that provides new recreational facilities. The design mirrors the existing block structure to create a seamless integration between old and new.7
A view from a corridor in the Koramangala Club annexe, looking into a lush central courtyard. We designed the building to forge new relationships with these green spaces, creating visual connections and moments of tranquility.
The interplay of canopies, bridges, and greenery between the new annexe and the existing buildings at the Koramangala Club. These transitional spaces are designed to encourage movement and informal social encounters.
A wide corridor overlooking the club's courtyard, where patterned floor tiles and hanging plants create a pleasant, shaded walkway. These spaces, though not defined by a specific function, are vital to the project's atmosphere.

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