The Book Cafe
This module focuses on enabling us to understand that built form is generated through overlapping systems. These systems include spatial organization that shapes inhabitation; structural systems made of building elements; spatial systems of form, volume, scale, and materiality; service systems like sanitation that are important to health and hygiene, passive systems that craft the environmental experiences; and active energy systems generated through electrical consumption. These systems interact together to produce spatial experience along with resource and utilitarian efficiency.
Every space has physical force as its integral part, which manifests through material, geometry, and structure. This studio tries to enable us to use these forces to achieve the intended experience and behavior through a designed specialty.
​
​
The fair that I was working at was the Kolkata International Book Festival. The Kolkata book fair has been held since 1976 by the publisher and the Booksellers' Guide. It is one of the largest book fairs in the world. The book fair is primarily for the general public rather than wholesale. It is one of the largest book fairs in the world. The book fair is primarily for the general public rather than wholesale distributors. The book fair offers a typical fairground experience with book flavour and cultural performances. With a total footfall of over 2 million people, it is the world's largest book fair by attendance.
Site of Intervention
My design for the café was inspired by bamboo architecture, a locally available material in Kolkata, making it both practical and contextual. The concept of a "book café" emerged from the Kolkata Book Fair, with the idea of creating a year-round space for reading and talks. Nestled among trees with a view of the lake, the café includes a small library and multipurpose hall for events. Since the lake overflows during monsoons, the structure is built on stilts with a connecting deck. To enhance the experience, part of the café is open to the sky, allowing visitors to enjoy the greenery while reading.
Ground Floor Plan with Context
First Floor Plan with Context
Roof Plan
Section AA'
Section BB'
