bamboo Northeast Pavilion at the Surajkund Craft Fair 2023

Mumbai-based studio atArchitecture has created a bamboo pavilion serving as a permanent exhibition space in India. Constructed specifically for the 2023 Surajkund Craft Fair, an annual event aimed at promoting Indian handicrafts and providing a platform for artisans, the pavilion highlights the cultural heritage of the eight North Eastern states of India. A short documentary film takes viewers on a tour through the meandering paths of its intricate, breathable body. The structure gracefully embraces the surrounding nature, allowing trees to coexist harmoniously with its framework. Located near the historic Surajkund Lake in Faridabad, the site holds significance as the lake was commissioned in the 10th century by King Suraj Pal of the Tomar dynasty. Although the lake is now inactive, it remains famous for hosting the Surajkund Mela, which attracts over a million visitors during its three-week duration.

all images by atArchitecture

Honoring Tradition and Craftsmanship

The North Eastern Region (NER) of India is a distinct geographical and political entity comprising eight states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim. The region is known for its rich ethnic diversity and the prevalence of indigenous arts and crafts. Many households in the NER have looms and produce homemade clothing, reflecting a longstanding tradition. This tradition served as the primary inspiration for the exhibition, with artisans from each state showcasing their indigenous looms and techniques, thereby unifying the exhibition spaces around this central theme. atArchitecture‘s design honors the local tradition of bamboo construction, a practice prevalent in nearly all the states represented. Crafted by skilled artisans from the region, the biggest challenge was to build the pavilion within a 60-day timeframe. This encompassed sourcing bamboo, coordinating travel for 90 craftsmen, and erecting the structure.

the structure integrates with the surrounding nature, fostering harmonious coexistence with the trees within its framework

Details of the bamboo joinery were refined with input from the artisans, while design decisions were often made on-site to prioritize local collaboration and craftsmanship. The pavilion’s layout is rectangular and includes eight courtyards, each showcasing the handlooms of a different state. Inspired by the circular segment of the Surajkund footprint, these courtyards intersect the hyperbolic roof at varying heights, reflecting the region’s hilly terrain. Semi-open galleries within each courtyard display indigenous handlooms, offering framed views of the landscape. The central courtyard, representing Meghalaya, features an open sky-facing pool, while all courtyards serve to preserve the site’s century-old trees and natural surroundings.the open and permeable design of the space blurs the boundaries between the pavilion and the surrounding nature