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Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers

Architecture

22-07-2026

Photographer : Sreenag Pictures

Text provided by the Architect

Located on the outskirts of Chennai within the rapidly developing industrial corridor near Chengalpattu, this convention centre is conceived as a contemporary public venue for weddings, cultural gatherings, and large-scale celebrations. Responding to the evolving needs of a tier-2 urban context, the project positions itself as an inclusive spacefree from specific religious or cultural identity, yet deeply rooted in shared regional sensibilities.

The design draws inspiration from the thoranam, a ubiquitous decorative element across South Indian festivities. Its rhythmic patterns are abstracted and translated into architectural expressions across the façade and surfaces, creating a familiar yet neutral visual language.

The planning is deliberately simple and efficient, with dining and lobby spaces on the ground floor, a grand hall on the first floor, and guest accommodations within a mezzanine level. This straightforward layout is complemented by a carefully choreographed spatial experience. A linear driveway establishes a processional approach, culminating in a defined entry porch. Inside, a double-height lobby anchored by a grand staircase creates a strong spatial focal point.

Chennai,Tamil Nadu,India

Architects : V.O.Z.Architects and Designers
Area : 45,000 sq. ft.
Year of Completion : 2025
Website : https://www.instagram.com/v.o.z_architects/

Exterior view of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


Exterior view of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


Entrance Porch of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers

Materiality plays a critical role in anchoring the project to its context. The entrance façade is clad in laterite brick, integrated with thoranam-inspired patterns. Handmade terracotta tiles define the central lobby wall, while a custom wooden installationcrafted in Karaikudi and inspired by Chettinad entrance doorsadds a layer of cultural reinterpretation. Concrete jaali panels filter light into circulation spaces, introducing texture, ventilation, and shadow play.


Staircase Lobby of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


Staircase of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


Event Hall of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers

The main hall is intentionally restrained, with minimal ornamentation. Subtle wall murals inspired by Garudan and celestial figures reinterpret traditional iconography in a neutral manner. A custom-designed chandelier, abstracted as a singular crystal form, replaces the conventional opulence of decorative lighting with a more contemporary expression.


Event Hall of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


Corridor of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


View from landscape area of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers

The façade is composed through simple geometries articulated in varied materials laterite, textured surfaces, and perforated concrete creating depth while maintaining visual restraint. Existing palm trees on site are largely retained, reinforcing continuity with the landscape.

Balancing functional clarity with crafted detail, the project reinterprets cultural memory through abstraction, offering a space where celebration transcends identity and becomes a shared experience.


Detailed shot of external facade of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


Dusk light exterior view of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


Site Plan of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


Ground Floor Plan of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


First Floor Plan of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


Second Floor Plan of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


Section 1 of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers


Section 2 of Thoranam - Convention Centre by V.O.Z.Architects and Designers



Tags
convention-and-exhibhition-center
architecture
interior-design
public-architecture
public-interior
india
tamil-nadu
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