Brief: ஒன்றாக 'Ondraha' meaning ‘Togetherness’ is a private project for the public. Located in the outskirts of the Southern Indian city of Madurai, the project was envisioned- to inspire kids to be ‘Daringly different’; setting aside socio-economic differences. As a baking industry owner, a chocolatier and a lifelong entrepreneur for more than forty years, the client was eager to give back to society by creating a unique identity for the city that injects good community spirit through spatial and retail oriented programmatic means. 

Project Description: After exploring several initial concepts to reflect the client’s vision through Architecture, we identified simple formal gestures that have potential to generate an intimate, friendly and exploratory feeling. Most importantly, given the context, the form needed to be built on the site without many engineering complexities, within budget and with locally available materials at the same time project new energy to the area.

Three intersecting Arches with varying lengths, heights and an interconnecting Mezzanine level seemed to provide ideal conditions for adventurous kids to explore their interests. A sense of togetherness is brought by the playful interaction of volumes and assignment of kids friendly functions to it. There are not many indoor spaces for children to gather around during after-school hours to learn something new in the area. This was reason enough to make a private space public that could be used by kids.  In the initial concept, a free form chocolate splash podium played an important role in the experience, consisting of an Amphitheatre, seating areas and the stairs. The inner mezzanine was also intended to be part of the playful experience with a stair and a slide for kids.  With several niches and interesting corners, the Architecture provides an opportunity for kids to learn, read, bake, play and have fun while at the same time enjoying the best of the products. First Arch consists of the lounge, product display and more public areas followed by baking and gathering area on the second and play and learning space under the third Arch. The mezzanine level is an additional indoor board game and reading area. The third Arch is surrounded by a higher wall to contain a ‘Secret garden’. In such context privacy of guests is valued more than providing a space for viewing. Low carbon, low energy materials were used in the construction process and materials as much as possible. Rough finish with lines from scaffolding lines is seen on the inside surface of the concrete pour. Locally available Pine wood was used by local carpenters to cover the side of the Arch facing the main street. All three arches are punctuated by square shaped opening covered by etched glass to light up the interior. This is a project that has attempted through revitalize the community through both spatial and programmatic planning.