Sthapati Admin on April 12, 2025 No Comments
The Urmila Kailash Black Box (UKBB) was opened in 2024 and is the latest addition to the Kanoria Centre for Arts grounds. The UKBB is a 1,656 sq. ft. experimental theatre and multifunctional space that is suitably equipped for a variety of art and culture related activities such as art exhibitions, performance art, theatre, lectures, shows, workshops, events and much more.
Since its establishment in 1984, the Kanoria Centre for Arts has consistently evolved to meet the changing needs of the artistic community, expanding both in form and function. Founded by Urmila Kanoria, the Centre’s original design was conceived by renowned architect Balkrishna Doshi. Over the years, as the Centre’s requirements grew, additional facilities such as gallery spaces and studio areas were incorporated, enhancing the campus’s capacity to foster artistic expression.
In 2020, Balkrishna Doshi entrusted Khushnu Panthaki Hoof and Sönke Hoof, the founders and principal architects of Studio Sangath, with the responsibility of overseeing new developments at the Kanoria Centre for Arts.
This partnership resulted in the completion of the latest addition to the campus, the Urmila Kailash Black Box, in 2024. The Black Box represents a significant milestone in the Kanoria Centre for Art’s ongoing transformation. Designed with a profound respect for the existing architectural language of the campus, the building draws inspiration from the surrounding structures, aiming to create a harmonious connection between the old and the new.
The Urmila Kailash Black Box itself introduces a new typology—one that responds to the specific functional needs of a dynamic space for art, performance, theatre, discussions, and celebrations. The versatile design of the Black Box allows it to accommodate a wide range of artistic practices and events, while its architectural relationship to the broader campus fosters a vibrant and cohesive environment for creative expression.
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Architects: Studio Sangath
- Area: 207 m²
- Year: 2024
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Photographs: Ishita Sitwala | Creative Director: Kunal Pratap Dass
Congratulation!