As in New York and Berlin, the physical structure of the Mumbai Lab is in character with its urban environment. Tokyo architects Atelier Bow-Wow, working with Mumbai architect Samir D’Monte, have designed an L-shaped structure made primarily of bamboo that is uniquely suited to the plaza site at the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum and to the densely populated city, as well as a modified version of the Lab that will travel to the satellite sites throughout Mumbai.
The architecture of the BMW Guggenheim Lab structure is designed to be responsive to the cities the Lab visits. For the Mumbai Lab, Atelier Bow-Wow of Tokyo has designed a structure uniquely suited to the densely populated environment of Mumbai. Modeled after the Indian mandapa, a raised outdoor pavilion traditionally used for public celebrations and events, the Mumbai Lab structure is constructed primarily of bamboo and evokes a light, open and transparent quality. A second, traveling version of the Mumbai structure has been adapted for “pop-up” assembly at a variety of satellite sites throughout the city.
CREDITS:
Design Architect:
Atelier Bow-Wow, Tokyo, Japan.
Principals: Yoshiharu Tsukamoto and Momoyo Kaijima.
Project Team: Mirai Morita.
Mumbai Design:
Local Architect: SDM Architects, Mumbai, India.
Principal: Samir D'Monte.
Project Team: Pooja Prajapati.
Fabrication and Structural Engineering:
Superstructure and Installation: NUSSLI Group, Switzerland/USA.
Structural Engineer: Arup, Tokyo, Japan.
BMW Guggenheim Lab will offer free public programs and projects throughout the city under the theme ME=WE. On the third stop of this mobile initiative, the Mumbai Lab will address challenges and opportunities related to public space and the choices Mumbaikars make to balance individual (“me”) and community (“we”) interests.
Part urban think tank, community center, and public gathering space, the BMW Guggenheim Lab is a global project aimed at raising awareness of important urban challenges and inspiring an ongoing conversation in cities around the world. The six-week program at the Mumbai Lab’s central site on the rear plaza of the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum will be presented from 3 to 9 pm, Thursday through Monday. Activities also will be offered on dedicated dates from 5 to 9 pm at additional Labs in five communities throughout the city:
Horniman Circle (Fort): December 13 to 17.
Priyadarshini Park (Malabar Hill): December 20 to 23.
Sambhaji Park (Mulund East): December 27 to 30.
Batliboy Compound (Mill Worker Colony): January 3 to 7.
Mahim Beach (Mahim): January 10 to 13.
