PROJECT INFORMATION
Design Democracy: Deconstructing Barriers in Architectural Practice
The Design Democracy project is an architectural realization of a philosophy, actively breaking the traditional professional isolation of design in India. The foundational principle of transparency is manifest spatially: the building intentionally foregoes compound walls, allowing public access and urban flow directly into the landscape and exhibition areas, offering citizens an unrestricted view into the professional world of design. This open permeability is the central architectural statement.
Performance and Zoning
The structure is zoned vertically into five major areas: Public Spaces, Student Workspace, Freelancers’ Workspace, Office Spaces, and the central Incubator. The Incubator acts as the physical and intellectual epicenter, fostering interaction across all user groups. The architecture is optimized for passive climate control; the East and West walls underwent algorithmic solar analysis to precisely determine aperture sizes, ensuring an optimum microclimate within the studios. Furthermore, the floor plates are open on the north and south sides, guaranteeing consistent cross-ventilation and natural illumination. All floors incorporate green terraces that serve as vital break spaces, and the strong use of primary colors throughout the form is a deliberate formal choice, instilling creativity and underscoring the building’s dynamic, democratic function.
