Textile Committee | Mumbai

Mystifying curving shapes, fluid facades and unexpected angles, which are unfamiliar to the eye, are the first compelling glimpses that one encounters of the Textile Laboratory and Research Institute. Situated in the busy locality of Prabhadevi in Mumbai – it is an intriguing piece of architecture, ripe with metaphoric interpretations ranging from flowing fabrics to a spinning wheel (charkha).It is a development designed for the Textile Committee, an autonomous body of the Government of India. The project was awarded to the architect following the shortlisting of a few select practices. The primary design idea was to reflect the powerful tradition and rich heritage of Indian textiles in the building's architecture.

Raised on a podium, the Textile Laboratory and Research Institute is designed to accommodate the research activities of the centre, along with administrative facilities in one block. Another block houses the conference facilities. The third block includes the staff quarters and guesthouses. Even as the design segregates the above activities, it brings them together through a central atrium. The atrium symbolically depicts the charkha that is rooted in India's glorious textile heritage. The atrium structure is basically a steel frame swathed in a teflon fabric. It concludes in the crown as a wheel, which is reminiscent of the charkha. The supporting steel members that culminate at the wheel also add to the drama of the space. Juxt aposing of wavy granite, aluminium and glass surfaces marks the 6-storey building block. The wavy facade derives its inspiration from the imagery of flowing fabrics. The materials used, with the contrast in their intrinsic textures and colours go on to reflect the diverse range of Indian textiles.