Sonal Gautam Shah

CR4004

Modernist architecture, once seen as a symbol of function and progress, now stands at a turning point. As we looked at Le Corbusier’s work — from the clean lines of Villa Savoye to the civic scale of the Chandigarh High Court — we saw a shift from pure function to a deeper response to context and identity. The Mill Owners’ Association Building in Ahmedabad, though iconic, remains hidden and disconnected in a fast-changing urban fabric. Through careful study, we saw its strong potential to do more — to connect, to invite, to participate. The proposal brings this forgotten structure back into public life: with spaces that support co-working, storytelling, markets, and pause points for the city. By making subtle yet meaningful changes — like safer railings, accessible entries, and open pathways — we keep the building’s essence intact while making it usable for today. This isn’t just about preserving the past. It’s about making it part of the present.