As part of the “Soul of India” series at FOAID 2024, architect Ananya Singhal presented Third Space—a revolutionary project in Udaipur that redefines how architecture can foster curiosity, inclusion, and identity. Built with a bold vision and a deep sense of place, the project is a living, breathing space for education, community, and culture.
Ananya’s talk was both inspiring and thought-provoking, as he walked the audience through the journey of creating a space that was not just about walls and roofs but about people, participation, and potential. In his words, architecture was never meant to be the hero—it’s the backdrop to life. And Third Space lives up to that belief beautifully.
From Science to Society: The Evolution of a Building’s Purpose
Third Space began with a simple but powerful idea: make science fun again. Ananya and his team observed how conventional science education in India often left students uninspired, resulting in a generation that was disengaged from scientific thought. The idea was to create an environment that would bring back wonder—starting with science, but soon extending to the arts, culture, climbing, film, craft, and more.
Over time, the building evolved into a multidisciplinary hub that represents everything education should be: hands-on, accessible, and joyful. By offering physical activities like an Olympic-grade climbing wall, exhibition zones, and performance areas, Third Space reshapes learning into something dynamic and deeply human.
Contextual, But Never Conventional
Located on the outskirts of Udaipur, the site was originally disconnected from the city’s historic center. But Ananya saw it as a future town center—a place that could shape the growth of a new urban identity. To ensure the building resonated with the local context, his team leaned into Rajasthan’s architectural vocabulary: stepwells, baradaris, courtyards, and pavilions.
These elements were not replicated but reinterpreted in a modern form—infused with bold geometry and new material combinations. The layout encourages flow and openness, with the central courtyard acting as both heart and stage. Circulation is intuitive and layered, creating a sense of rhythm, invitation, and pause. It’s a space that welcomes exploration and makes people feel like they belong.
Craft Meets Climate: Cooling Without Compromise
Instead of relying on heavy HVAC systems, Third Space uses design intelligence and local craftsmanship to keep cool—even in Rajasthan’s sweltering heat. Traditional wind catchers, stone jaalis, and smart orientation work together to create passive cooling. These were fabricated with waterjet-cutting tools for precision and then brought to life by local artisans.
The craftsmanship doesn’t stop at ventilation—the entire floor is embedded with detailed mosaics made from stone offcuts, creating a mosaic of reused material and thoughtful design. The project also reused metal waste from fabrication to create chain-link screens and dividers, integrating sustainability into the core construction language. It’s a celebration of waste as a resource, of craft as innovation.
Designed to Be Used, Designed to Be Loved
One of the most moving parts of Ananya’s presentation was the story behind the ceiling of the courtyard. While construction was ongoing, he invited local students from schools and universities to draw directly onto the ceiling panels—leaving behind stories, doodles, jokes, and dreams. Of course, a few swear words had to be filtered out, but the rest remain, etched into the soul of the building.
This act of collaboration elevated the architecture from something designed for the people to something made with them. Similarly, even the cane canopy built over the rooftop landscape is designed to fail gently in strong winds—demonstrating that resilience doesn’t always mean rigidity. Sometimes, it means flexibility, humility, and knowing when to let go.
Key Takeaways:
- Third Space proves that architecture can be responsive, resilient, and rooted in context—without being conventional.
- Passive design strategies and recycled materials can achieve comfort, sustainability, and aesthetics together.
- Community involvement isn’t a token gesture—it can be an integral part of how architecture is conceived and remembered.
- Traditional crafts can be reimagined through modern tools and techniques, preserving skills while pushing the design forward.
- Architecture’s job is not always to stand out—it’s to hold space for people and possibilities.
A Blueprint for Future Community Architecture
Third Space is more than a building—it’s a framework for how we can design inclusive, interdisciplinary, and deeply relevant public spaces in India. It reminds us that architecture doesn’t always need to impress with height or spectacle. Sometimes, its greatest achievement is to quietly enable change, to bring people together, and to build something that lives, breathes, and grows with its users. Ananya Singhal’s presentation at FOAID 2024 was a moving reminder that when architecture listens, it creates spaces worth remembering.
Curious to experience the full conversation? Watch the complete session here:
