At FOAID 2024, architect Gayathri Shetty delivered a layered and insightful solo presentation that showcased how architecture can become a living dialogue between the past and present, tradition and innovation. Through two contrasting yet connected projects—a large corporate training center for Bosch and an intimate residential home—Gayathri explored how Indian cultural values, philosophies, and materials can be reinterpreted for a contemporary world. Her talk wasn’t just about design—it was about identity, memory, and meaning.
Bosch Training Center: Designing Between Two Worlds
The Bosch Training Center in Bengaluru became a powerful example of how to design across cultures. Tasked with creating a space that reflected Bosch’s German heritage while making it distinctly Indian in spirit, Gayathri and her team chose not to merely overlay decorative elements. Instead, they embedded Indian philosophy at the conceptual level. The design drew from the chakra system, with each floor and zone subtly marked with colors and information that educated occupants about this traditional framework. Simultaneously, the central courtyard—an homage to Indian architectural roots—created a visual and experiential pause point, allowing light, nature, and air to flow through the space.
The project also explored Germany’s historical engagement with Indian thought, citing how philosophers like Schopenhauer were influenced by the Upanishads. This thematic connection carried into design decisions—from the minimal yet warm reception spaces to the murals and graphics that drew from both Indian and German philosophies. The building’s program—training, collaboration, community—was supported by design that felt rooted, calm, and culturally immersive.
Architecture as Storytelling: From States to Spaces
A key highlight of the Bosch project was the team’s unique approach to naming and visual storytelling. Instead of giving rooms functional labels, Gayathri proposed naming them after Indian states, with custom graphics and narratives for each. This not only added color and vibrancy to the space but also turned each room into a small cultural vignette—sparking curiosity and conversations among occupants. Visual art, sourced from across India, adorned acoustic panels and walls. Posters from Bosch’s own archives (dating back to the 1960s) were used playfully throughout the interiors, bringing history into contemporary relevance.
This commitment to storytelling went beyond aesthetics. It was rooted in the belief that spaces should educate and inspire. Visitors to the training center didn’t just attend sessions—they left with a renewed sense of cultural identity. Whether through the Saraswati Mandala installation at the reception or fireside chat zones in the landscape design, every space was built for interaction, reflection, and connection.
A Contemporary Home Rooted in Indian Ethos
Transitioning from a corporate campus to a private home, Gayathri shared a second project—a modern residence built for a young family that is part of her own firm. Despite the change in scale, the design philosophy remained consistent: bring tradition forward in a meaningful, livable way. The house revolved around a small internal courtyard, allowing most rooms to connect with the outdoors. Techniques like lime plastering, oxide flooring, and granite detailing created a naturally cool, earthy atmosphere that felt distinctly Indian yet refreshingly modern.
Beyond materials, the home became a testbed for reinterpretation. Skylights, cane wardrobes, curated art, and handcrafted lighting fixtures all contributed to a sensitive, layered environment. The Eden Gallery, a display space within the home, brought together traditional craft and contemporary design, while volumes flowed organically between public and private spaces. It was a home that didn’t mimic tradition—it evolved it.
Community, Collaboration, and COVID Creativity
To conclude, Gayathri spoke about Start Rent-A-Car, a creative side venture she launched with two fellow architects during the pandemic. The initiative encouraged architects to explore design at a smaller scale—furniture, murals, lighting—creating avenues for hands-on making and community exchange. For her, this wasn’t a distraction from architecture; it was a return to its essence. Whether designing a training center or a table, the same principles applied: empathy, expression, and experimentation.
What made this segment compelling was her perspective on resilience—not just structural, but cultural resilience. Gayathri emphasized that by honoring traditional craftsmanship, sourcing locally, and designing with intention, architecture could become more regenerative, more inclusive, and ultimately, more relevant to the times we live in.
Key Takeaways:
- Architecture becomes more meaningful when it is deeply rooted in culture and context.
- Projects like Bosch Training Center demonstrate that contemporary design can celebrate Indian identity in nuanced, non-stereotypical ways.
- Residential spaces can be intimate experiments in tradition, reimagined through materials and light.
- Community initiatives like Start Rent-A-Car reflect the power of small-scale design thinking in sustaining creative momentum.
A Practice Grounded in Identity and Intuition
Gayathri Shetty’s presentation was more than a project walkthrough—it was a meditation on design as a cultural act. Through stories of collaboration, craft, and conscious choices, she showed how architecture can build more than buildings. It can build bridges—between people, philosophies, and time. Her work invites us to pause, look inward, and reimagine what it means to be modern, not in spite of our heritage, but because of it.
Curious to experience the full conversation? Watch the complete session here:
