The “Celebrating Memories” project in Charai, Thane, addresses the critical lack of quality urban green space by comprehensively reimagining the neglected Ahilyadevi Garden. Recognizing the site’s rich history as a foundation for local life, the core concept centers on Placemaking—designing the space to actively honor the community’s past and present activities. This intervention transforms a passive plot into a dynamic, multi-generational hub, ensuring every part of the garden is optimized for the spontaneous social and recreational life of the residents.

Interactive Architecture and Flexible Design

The core architectural intervention is the introduction of two free-flowing interactive curved walls that strategically define and organize the open and closed spaces. Moving away from the existing monolithic perimeter, these curved walls provide crucial visual transparency and maintain a constant, interactive connection between the garden and its surroundings. The walls seamlessly integrate elements like seating and shading roofs, transforming the boundary itself into a functional gathering space. This dynamic design breaks the monotony of the surroundings, providing a distinctive and usable character to this vital public corner in Thane.