Tamanah, Fort Kochi
Project overview
The project reuses an old godown in Fort Kochi, inherited by the client, and transforms it into an exhibition space with a private office. The building was in poor condition, with broken timber rafters and a slightly uneven plan, and it connects to an adjoining café, requiring careful structural handling.
The design focuses on stabilising the structure while keeping its original character. Damaged parts are replaced and supported with a simple steel frame to strengthen the building without changing its spatial feel. The intervention keeps the essence of the old godown while adapting it for a new, functional use.
Details
My contribution was integral to the project, spanning architectural design, spatial planning, construction administration, interior design, furnishing, and styling. I was also involved in rendering and regular site visits to ensure the design intent was accurately executed on site.
Specifications
Date | 2025 |
Status of the project | Completed |
Tools used | Photoshop, SketchUp, D5 |
Design Evolution
The project explores the adaptive reuse of an old godown in Fort Kochi, inherited by the client through family lineage, and its transformation into an exhibition space with a private office. The existing structure was deteriorated, with failed timber rafters, a slightly skewed plan, and a shared edge with an adjoining café, requiring careful intervention.
The design focuses on minimal intervention and structural stabilisation, replacing and reinforcing key elements with a discreet steel framework to ensure stability while preserving the original spatial character. The approach balances conservation and adaptation, allowing the building to retain its essence while accommodating a new contemporary use.
Technical Drawings
Current Program
The adaptive reuse of the former godown in Fort Kochi has been successfully realised as a contemporary retail space for House of Vandy. The intervention retains the inherent spatial character and volumetric quality of the original structure while accommodating a refined commercial programme.
The preserved structural rhythm and exposed framework establish a strong architectural backdrop for retail display, allowing the material memory of the building to remain legible. Structural stabilisation through discreet steel reinforcement ensures integrity without visual disruption, maintaining a clear distinction between old and new interventions.
The open-plan configuration of the existing shell supports flexible spatial planning, enabling fluid circulation and adaptable merchandising strategies. The subtle irregularities of the original geometry contribute to a more experiential retail environment, enhancing spatial movement and perception.
Overall, the project demonstrates a measured balance between conservation and adaptation, where the industrial character of the godown is retained and reinterpreted to support a contemporary retail identity.
