Public Spaces and Landscape Design
We believe public architecture should serve people, not just aesthetics. From heritage restoration to community courtyards, our designs aim to create places where connection happens naturally.
The Sargakhet Handicraft Centre is an adaptive reuse project where we transformed a British-era post office in Mukteshwar. The interior now features versatile wooden columns that double as display racks, showcasing local artisan products against the beautifully restored original stone walls.
In the Sargakhet Handicraft Centre, we designed a cafeteria space that opens up to the stunning Mukteshwar valley. The long service counter is framed by traditional wooden windows with intricate carvings, blending new functionality with the building's historic character.
This detail of the custom shelving at the Sargakhet Handicraft Centre shows how we used simple, locally sourced wood to create a functional and beautiful display system. The design respects the rustic charm of the building while providing a platform for local artisans to sell their goods.
For our 'Playfold' project, we transformed an underutilized lawn into a lively courtyard. The centerpiece is a continuous terrazzo bench that snakes organically through the space, creating fluid seating areas and defining green pockets, inviting interaction and play.
This is a work-in-progress shot of the upcoming Haat Market in Shyamlatal. The design uses local stone and a wooden roof structure with a clerestory window to create a marketplace that is rooted in its context and will serve as a platform for local farmers and homestay owners.
A view of the upcoming Angling Centre at Pancheshwar, located at the confluence of the Saryu and Kali rivers. The design uses local stone and wood to blend with the breathtaking landscape, creating a gateway for anglers to experience the region's rich biodiversity.
The interior of the Pancheshwar Angling Centre, currently under construction. We are using natural wood for the ceilings and doors, complemented by local stone brickwork, to create a rustic and welcoming space for visitors and the local angling community.
About this collection
When we approach a public project, we start by listening to the existing rhythm of the place, whether it is a heritage post office in Mukteshwar or an unused lawn in Ahmedabad. We avoid imposing large, rigid structures. Instead, we let the soil, the local craft, and the natural movement of the people who will actually walk these floors dictate the design. This helps us ensure that our community markets and courtyards do not just look good, but actively encourage the quiet, daily interactions that build a neighborhood.
Designing for the Public Sphere
Public space is not merely about planning; it is about stewardship. Our practice views public and community architecture as a responsibility to enhance local life. By focusing on adaptive reuse and context-sensitive design, we breathe new life into forgotten structures and landscapes.
Adaptive Reuse & Heritage Restoration
Our work on the Sargakhet Handicraft Centre exemplifies this. Instead of a sterile renovation, we approached the dilapidated British-era post office in Mukteshwar as a container for local stories. We salvaged original stone walls, introduced versatile wooden columns to serve as artisan displays, and opened the structure to the valley. The result is a space that respects heritage while serving as an active economic hub for the community.
Landscapes That Invite
In landscape design, we prioritize flow over ornamental excess. At our 'Playfold' project in Ahmedabad, we replaced an underutilized lawn with a continuous terrazzo bench that snakes through the site. This simple, serpentine geometry acts as a social anchor, defining green pockets while encouraging fluid movement and interaction.
Community Hubs & Future Projects
Our current work continues this philosophy. The upcoming Haat Market in Shyamlatal and the Pancheshwar Angling Centre are designed to serve specific user groups—farmers and anglers—while integrating seamlessly into their natural environments. We use local stone, timber, and traditional construction techniques to ensure these facilities feel like they belong, growing organically from the land they occupy.
Compartment S4
We are eight friends who started a design collective in 2017. Our studios in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad are less about hierarchy and more about the shared journey of making spaces that matter. We sketch, debate, and visit sites together, ensuring every project feels like a natural conversation between architecture and the people who inhabit it.
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