At Studio Lotus, ‘creating meaning’ by ‘celebrating context’ is a central tenet of our work. Understanding deeply what came before us allows us to reframe the knowledge to be relevant to the present. This context can provide solutions, skills, materials, and sustainability.

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Celebrating context also means celebrating Cultural Heritage, because the context of a place is built by the evolving and existing culture around it. We therefore put this at the forefront of our design process. <rt-red>Celebrating Cultural Heritage in architecture can preserve identity, foster connections to the past, and create meaningful spaces that engage communities.<rt-red>

The Why

<rt-red>There is so much Cultural Heritage to celebrate. <rt-red>

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Customs and traditions across India have evolved over thousands of years. The varying climatic zones and landscapes have shaped a variety of traditions, crafts, languages, and buildings. These traditions have evolved over thousands of years, and continue to thrive in contemporary India. This living heritage makes India immensely beautiful and unique because there is such rich diversity between every village, town, city, and state across the country. However, in a continuously globalising world, which prefers mass industrialisation and consumerism, traditional craft is diminishing and being replaced by pre-fabricated and universal form and material. This is especially apparent in developing countries like India, where aspirations for the built environment look to the West. 

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Simply preserving India’s diverse cultural heritage does not attend the opportunities it can provide in the contemporary urban environment. At Studio Lotus, we want to preserve, re-imagine, and propel Cultural Identity into the present and future. We aim to do this by integrating Cultural Heritage into our designs, questioning its relevance, distilling its essence, and consequently re-interpreting it to suit modern living. 

The How

Relentless enquiry throughout the design process facilitates opportunity and collaboration. We can ask ourselves some questions to consciously attend to these themes. 

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<rt-red>We can break down Cultural Heritage into three broad aspects: the purpose of the building, the method of building, and the impact the building can have on the community.<rt-red> These marry cultural norms and practices into the design process by considering its re-interpretation, relevance, and timelessness. 

Enquiry of thought in practice at the Sunita Shekhawat Museum-Gallery and Flagship Store
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A unique archetype for retail design for luxury jewellery label Sunita Shekhawat, that embodies and celebrates Rajasthan’s Cultural Heritage

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The Sunita Shekhawat project was an exercise in continuous enquiry, where each stage of the design process sought to meaningfully integrate cultural heritage into a contemporary retail space. From the outset, we asked ourselves how to repurpose the existing concrete shell on-site to retain its embodied carbon, rather than demolishing it. This question became the foundation of the design.

We constantly asked how we could create a meaningful connection to the local context. The facade used locally-sourced Jodhpur red sandstone, hand-carved by craftspeople. Not only did it easily fit into Jaipur’s predominantly pink cityscape, it was also a nod to the client’s roots in Jodhpur. <rt-red>The use of traditional techniques like stone carving reflect a respect for traditional knowledge whilst empowering its re-imagination for a contemporary space. All the stone has been carved and shaped on site by hand.<rt-red> There is a movement of architectural detail across the building, from different periods, which gets synthesized into one cohesive, composite image.

By integrating local traditional art into the decorative ceilings of the retail space, the building became a platform for cultural expression. <rt-red>The aspiration of the space’s material and form were woven together and overlaid with craft to create a contemporary building that serves its purpose and feels rooted in place–an ode to the region’s rich Cultural Heritage.<rt-red>

Conclusion

The Sunita Shekhawat project exemplifies the process of ongoing inquiry, where constant questioning of purpose, material, craft and community impact guided the design. By honouring the site's history, engaging with local craftsmanship, and incorporating regional materials, the project balances cultural preservation with contemporary commercial and brand imperatives. <rt-red>Through the reimagining of the region's cultural heritage, it fosters a new and deep connection of the immediate community with it.<rt-red> 

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<rt-red>By embracing and celebrating context, we position Cultural Heritage at the heart of the design process, viewing it not just as something to preserve, but as a living, evolving source of inspiration. This approach encourages a continuous dialogue between the past and the future,<rt-red> ensuring that designs are not only relevant today but also rooted in the history and identity of the places they inhabit. Integrating Cultural Heritage meaningfully happens by a thoughtful examination of purpose, material, craft and community impact at each stage of the design process. This reflective practice leads to a design outcome that successfully honours tradition while re-imagining it for modern needs. 

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