Food, Shade & Free Wi-Fi

Recently introduced to a few, varied urban ‘thought pools’, I reckon that they are slowly becoming poly-nucleated models of change in society. It’s here where I felt architecture / design seep in from the walls, revel in the air & reveal itself in a profound experience. Looking back - Under the trees in Shanti Niketan, children envisioned a New World. Prison courtyards amassed people to join the nationalist movement. Temples & Mandapas congregated people for auspicious occasions. Our cultural spaces have always had these driving factors – Food & Shade...is all it takes for people to get-together and meaningful dialogues to take place. It’s where ideas germinate, opinions judged, battles fought and history begun. Well, free WIFI...call it a marketing gimmick – they work to get a denser crowd while networking us to people who are virtually present. The design fraternity though humble in number, have proved it time and again, that they aren’t meek when it comes to creating ripples in a dormant society. Young people are growing increasingly sensitive about the built environment. This consciousness has indirectly led them to create gems of spaces nestled within quiet, urbane streets of India’s giant metropolises. At this juncture, I must clarify that I ain’t hinting at formalised cultural spaces like Auditoriums, Amphitheatres etc. We are known to appreciate such spaces as part of ticketed shows, concerts and the like. Under such circumstances, we are usually bothered only of the comfort/service that these spaces provide us with, viz. view of the artist from a seat, how good/bad the acoustics/ air conditioning is, etc. While the ultimate aim of the event or the space is lost in such vagaries of life. Smaller spaces – such as defunct heritage buildings, backyards, lofts of offices, art cafes, and shaded boulevards are the future game changers in this line. More than being just a backdrop to discussions, it’s interesting how these spaces induce activities in its users. Studio-X, Mumbai functions out of the 4th floor, Kitab Mahal Building which opens up to a spectacular view of the Indo-Sarcenic skyline of South Bombay. Being a chapter of the Columbia University Global Initiative, it’s a space that explores the built environment through issues of architectural practise, sociology, public art and the impact of technology on the city. One enters the building, decorated with its ragged edges, flickering bulbs, iron-mongered elevator & creaky timber staircases. Moving levels upwards, they transition into clean white walls, contemporary lighting, minimal iron truss roof form-work & louvered timber windows. This experience is necessary to attune oneself to the ongoing discussions in Studio-X, as it is from there that the psychological milieu is generated. The awareness of this equilibrium makes any event here worthwhile for its visitors. Students, Professionals & others lay things out on the table together and generate consequential conversations here. With the occasional refreshments, one is ensured of a ‘captive’ audience in a certain regard. The above is an example of an institution-funded ‘think tank’. While this is a successful model of cultural space generation, crowd-source funded ones have far-reaching impacts and bring together varied user groups. It is in such spaces that small & upcoming artists, speakers, entrepreneurs, etc without monetary aims perform. You either capture the audience’s attention or miserably fail. Regardless of the two, the artist takes back much more than what a ticketed show would offer him/her. La-makaan ,Banjara Hills, Hyderabad is one such bliss of a space. It was someone's house who prematurely died giving it away to relatives. Being a culturally vibrant personality, his dream was to begin such a space - where people could meet, eat & discuss. Under a canopy of Asoka trees and bougainvillea bordering the walls, one realises that ultimately everyone happily shares nature’s resources without any reservations whatsoever. There are creativity workshops for kids, community welfare programmes, movie screenings & flea markets week-long. The cafe is its primary source of income & people are rarely judgemental of the food’s quality as long as the supply doesn’t end. There are very, many such pockets of spaces, struggling to thrive in our cities. And if they can’t last long, it is our prerogative as the design fraternity to sustain them while sensitising others on its importance.