Sriprada Dance School by DD Architects

Crafted as a temple for dance, the studio was perceived by the client as a sacred space to practice and perfect the art form, and to have discussions with artists and students. The design came out of the initial basic design and the constant discussions we had with the client. Her thorough participation in the process helped us to add many layers in the form of details and artwork.

Artworks as prescribed in the ancient texts were added by contemporary mural artists on the external walls. A dharmachakra, symbolizing the life cycle carved on a stone lintel by sculptors from Tamil Nadu was placed above the studio entrance. A kalvilakku (stone lamp) also adorns the landscape. The materials were selected with utmost care, and the comfort and serenity of the spaces were given equal importance. Terracotta floor tiles in the studio space were laid after giving a layer of mud to make the floor soft since modern floors were found to cause issues to the performers’ feet. 

Treated bamboo was used as jali, which brought in fresh air and a small glass dome at the center of the roof helps in passive cooling along with creating an interesting play of light and shade. The ghungroos (brass bells) used in the dancers’ feet that were adapted onto the doors, the pebbled entrance court and the wooden door at the east opening to a small ‘pada’ (sacred copper feet sculpture) all helped to create a serene space that connected to the performer. The project, with its numerous layers of discussions held, helped our studio to explore the possibilities to create a sacred space for movement, and interaction between the human body, nature and architectural space. Their idea that ‘architectural spaces’ are living, which is also the concept behind Indian Temples, found a contemporary expression through ‘Sripada’.