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Situated in the heart of Kolkata, Sangha Bhawan, designed by Spaces and Design, Kolkata, under the leadership of Principal Architect Pooja Bihani, stands as a profound centre for Jain community life. Conceived for the Acharya Mahapragya Mahashraman Education & Research Foundation (AMMERF), the 18,000 sq ft institution embodies architecture as an expression of belonging, memory, and spiritual continuity. Rooted in the Jain principles of non-violence, simplicity, and knowledge, the design transcends pure functionality, transforming every spatial gesture into a poetic experience.
- Project Name: Sangha Bhawan
- Location: Kolkata
- Size: 18000 sq ft
- Typology: Hospitality
- Design firm: Spaces and Design
- Photographer credits: rohit_
think
The journey begins at the reception and lobby, where sculpted silence defines the atmosphere. Inspired by Jain iconography, the gentle curvatures create a sense of sanctity without grandeur. Moving ahead, the banquet hall radiates calm through earthy materials and warm, clustered lighting reminiscent of meditative beads, evoking serenity rather than spectacle.
At the heart of the institution lies the restaurant, envisioned as a lyrical homage to art and memory. Fluted wooden panels and mural portraits celebrate the legacy of Indian classical maestros, while calligraphic motifs float above a central buffet crowned with golden spheres. It becomes not merely a dining area but an immersive experience that fuses nostalgia, art, and sensory delight.
Ascending upward, the cafeteria unfolds as a sunlit retreat. Its arched colonnades and contemporary chandeliers draw inspiration from temple architecture while fostering modern forms of gathering. It becomes a space of dialogue and reflection where architecture and community meet in harmony.
Every corner of Sangha Bhawan embodies cultural continuity, with tradition reinterpreted through a modern lens and ornament distilled into essence. The design intent is clear: to welcome visitors into timeless environments that radiate peace, harmony, and collective unity. The banquet hall manifests Jain values through refined details, the cafeteria expresses warmth through sustainable design, and the restaurant bridges music and architecture in a seamless dialogue. Together, they weave a living narrative where heritage and modernity converge to shape a shared future.
