Veil of sky

wcfa

Project idea

The core idea behind the project is to create a culturally vibrant and climatically responsive public space nestled within the sensitive context of Trivandrum, just behind the historic Padmanabhaswamy Temple and palace. The program—comprising a cinema hall, café, auditorium, and exhibition spaces—is conceived not just as a set of functional zones, but as a fluid and experiential journey through varying spatial scales and atmospheres.

Faced with strict height restrictions due to the site's sacred and heritage surroundings, along with the intense tropical heat, the design takes a subterranean approach—embedding the cinema and exhibition spaces 4 meters below ground. This move not only negotiates climatic comfort through passive thermal regulation but also reduces the visual mass, allowing the building to remain respectful and grounded within its historic setting.

Above ground, the structure is deliberately kept light and ephemeral, using scaffolding and permeable materials to form the performance and gathering spaces. This lightness in construction is both symbolic and practical, encouraging flexibility, openness, and a dialogue with the outdoors. The architecture avoids monolithic enclosures in favor of a scattered, pocketed layout—creating moments of pause, interaction, and discovery. Some spaces open up as generous gathering nodes, while others retreat into intimate nooks, cultivating a rich spatial rhythm that evolves as one moves through the site.

In essence, the project is a response to both contextual constraints and climatic realities, transforming them into opportunities for innovation, creating a place that feels both grounded and uplifting—timeless yet alive.

Project description

Set within the culturally rich and climatically intense context of Trivandrum, just behind the iconic Padmanabhaswamy Temple and adjacent palace grounds, this project envisions a multi-functional cultural complex that sensitively responds to its surroundings while offering a dynamic public experience. The program includes a cinema hall, café, auditorium, and exhibition spaces, designed to serve as a vibrant community hub for art, performance, and dialogue.

Above ground, the architectural language shifts to one of lightness and impermanence. The auditorium and performance spaces are housed within a lightweight scaffolding structure, allowing for openness, ventilation, and an ever-changing relationship with the environment. The structure intentionally avoids permanence or monumentality, instead embracing a temporal and adaptive character that can evolve with the needs of the community.

The spatial arrangement is non-linear and fragmented, encouraging exploration through a series of interconnected pockets and courtyards. These varied spatial scales—from large gathering areas to smaller contemplative corners—offer diverse experiences for visitors, fostering a sense of movement, spontaneity, and intimacy.

Rooted in climatic responsiveness, contextual sensitivity, and cultural engagement, the project aspires to be more than just a building—it becomes a living framework for community interaction, artistic expression, and urban breathing space.

Technical information

Project Location: Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Site Context: Behind the Padmanabhaswamy Temple and adjacent to the historic palace precinct
Site Area: 6500 sqm.
Built-up Area: 7500 sqm.
Building Typology: Cultural and Public Space

_Program Components:

Cinema Hall (Subterranean)
Exhibition Spaces (Subterranean)
Café
Auditorium / Performance Space (Lightweight structure)
Outdoor Courtyards and Pockets

_Design Response:

Climatic Strategy:
4-meter subterranean excavation for thermal insulation and passive cooling
Earth berming for temperature stability
Natural ventilation and shaded outdoor areas

_Structural System:

Subterranean: Reinforced concrete structure with water-proofing and drainage systems
Above ground: Lightweight modular scaffolding system with tensile shading elements

_Material Palette:

Concrete, exposed and finished for underground spaces
Steel scaffolding, translucent fabric and locally sourced wood for theatre space

_Height Management:

Building height restricted to comply with temple precinct regulations
Use of landscape and sectioning to minimize above-ground mass

_Sustainability Features:

Passive thermal control through underground construction
Use of breathable and light materials to reduce heat gain

_Accessibility:

Ramps connecting ground and underground levels
Barrier-free access to all public areas