Studio Sangath, led by Khushnu Panthaki Hoof and Sönke Hoof, has completed the Urmila Kailash Black Box at the Kanoria Centre for Arts in Ahmedabad, India. The project is a versatile performance and exhibition space designed to fill a gap in the campus's offerings, which previously lacked a dedicated venue for performing arts. The design integrates with the existing buildings by architect Balkrishna Doshi, using a sloping concrete roof and strategically placed windows to modulate light and connect interior and exterior spaces.
This project matters because it extends the legacy of renowned architect Balkrishna Doshi, who founded the Kanoria Centre for Arts in 1984 and worked from Studio Sangath until his death in 2023. The Black Box represents a new architectural typology that bridges the campus's historical buildings with contemporary needs, fostering interdisciplinary experimentation in theater, music, dance, and exhibitions. It also highlights the ongoing influence of Doshi's design principles through the work of his granddaughter and her husband, ensuring his vision continues to evolve.