Pon Pranitha Lakshmi S

IR2046

The concept of isekai in Japanese media involves characters transported to fantastical worlds, resonating with today's teenagers who seek escape. The Portale, a teen centre in Ahmedabad's Jogger’s Park, offers such an escape. Enclosed by high walls, it features spaces defined by tall, thin walls that weave around columns and guide exploration. It includes a robotics lab and a tucked-away manga library. Translucent concrete walls allow soft daylight, while water features add to the experience, making the centre a realm where reality is temporarily left behind. The centre, in this way, becomes a journey past the portal, through many worlds.