Kolkata tends to have a special appreciation for art and literature. Heritage and modern manners are merged together to give this city a unified trance of colors. Durga Puja in Kolkata is one of the biggest Indian festivals, attracting huge crowds who delight in pandal hopping. In 2020, the Government of India has nominated Durga Puja for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. What’s significant is the ‘heritage in crisis’ due to the poor living conditions of the idol makers.
This project proposes an Idol Makers’ Hub as a catalyst for strengthening the cultural and economic fabric of Kolkata’s festival traditions. Centered on the socio-economic development of the idol-making community, the project positions craft as both cultural heritage and livelihood.
The hub is envisioned as a self-sustaining ecosystem that supports artisans through shared resources, production spaces, and community infrastructure, enabling long-term economic resilience. By integrating making, storage, exhibition, and public engagement, the project reframes idol making as a visible and valued urban practice.
The built environment is designed to respond to the workflows of artisans, blending traditional craft with adaptable spatial typologies that encourage collaboration, efficiency, and creative output. Through architecture, the project amplifies cultural continuity while creating conditions for growth, dignity, and sustainability within the community.
