Maharashtra Nature Park
Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is often deemed as the city of dreams, hopes, and aspirations. It may be all that and more, but there is one thing that the city is always in dire need of – open spaces. With the imagery of a concrete jungle at large, the city lacks green spaces. Some amount of relief is provided by the green pockets in the form of Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivali and Maharashtra Nature Park in Sion. The latter, although lesser known, is an important ecosystem, built on a land that was once a dumping ground. It is unfortunate, that in a city that craves green space, there thrives a 37 acres’ park in the heart of the city, yet unused to its full potential. In the hope of tapping into that potential, and enticing more visitors, Mumbai’s MMRDA and Observer Research Foundation (ORF) organized an international design competition to execute the facelift.
Sameep Padora and Associates (sP+a) in association with Design Cell & Ratan J. Batliboi Consultants with Schlaich Bergman & Partner, and Ladybird Environment Consulting were elected as winners from a total of 30 reputed teams from around the globe.
Galeecha Pavilion ’09
The concept of sustainability lies at the heart of the design philosophy behind this temporary structure, crafted with a keen awareness of the environmental impact typically associated with trade show exhibits. Unlike conventional structures that often contribute to wasteful practices, this pavilion represents a bold departure by prioritizing recyclability and eco-consciousness in its design and construction.
Galeecha Pavilion ’10
In a departure from traditional exhibition pavilions, the intent was to create an extraordinary ornament that would captivate and inspire visitors at a national tradeshow. Tasked with showcasing carpets, the design challenged conventional notions of display by reimagining the humble carpet as a dynamic and visually stunning centerpiece.