HUB-BA @ Parade: A Cultural Architecture for the 21st Century
A redefined Bharat Bhavan that transforms culture from observation to participation through sustainable public architecture.
Project by Paromita Harsha
Bangalore, the cosmopolitan heart of Karnataka, stands as a confluence of the traditional and the modern. At the intersection of MG Road and Cubbon Road lies an ambitious reimagining of Bharat Bhavan — a 21st-century cultural hub that breaks away from conventional museum models. HUB-BA @ Parade envisions culture as a living, breathing entity that evolves with people. The project seeks to shift the perception of culture from passive observation to active participation, fostering an environment of inclusivity, sustainability, and engagement.
This redefined Bharat Bhavan is designed as a porous urban fabric that connects the Parade Ground and MG Road Metro Station, creating a seamless flow between leisure, learning, and livelihood. It embodies the essence of cultural architecture — a design philosophy that weaves together public life, art, and sustainability into the fabric of everyday urban experience.
Context: A Site Rooted in Accessibility and Tradition
The 13-acre Parade Ground, owned by the Karnataka Land Army, forms the foundation for this proposal. Located strategically between two major business districts — Brigade Road and Commercial Street — the site offers unparalleled accessibility by public transport and proximity to major landmarks such as the Chinnaswamy Stadium and MG Road Metro Station. The proposal focuses on developing a 4-acre segment of this land to create a dynamic public space that resonates with Bangalore’s vibrant youth and evolving urban culture.
With nearly 50% of the city’s population under the age of 35, there is a pressing demand for cultural spaces that are not confined to static exhibits but extend into the social and digital realms. HUB-BA @ Parade addresses this gap by merging traditional arts with contemporary practices, encouraging the rediscovery and reinterpretation of cultural narratives.
Vision: From Tradition to Transformation
The vision of HUB-BA is simple yet profound — to make art and culture accessible, porous, and participatory. Traditional cultural spaces are often viewed as repositories of the past; this project challenges that notion by introducing modern experiences like virtual reality and co-working spaces alongside workshops, amphitheaters, and interactive art walls.
Here, architecture becomes an instrument of cultural continuity. It invites people to engage, learn, and create. By redefining how spaces are experienced, the project encourages inclusivity and promotes dialogue between history and modernity.
Key design objectives include:
- Integrating art with everyday life through workshops, exhibitions, and public performances.
- Reinterpreting traditional narratives in contemporary spatial and material contexts.
- Encouraging social interaction through plazas, cafes, and outdoor gathering spaces.
- Celebrating diversity by fostering a sense of belonging across age groups and cultural backgrounds.
Design & Program: A Porous Public Fabric
The architectural language of HUB-BA reflects fluidity and openness. The site plan integrates multiple functions — an auditorium, amphitheater, co-working areas, galleries, workshops, libraries, and VR zones — all interconnected through landscaped courtyards and shaded walkways.
- Auditorium and Amphitheater: Central to the design, these spaces accommodate up to 1,200 people collectively and form the heart of public gatherings and performances.
- Workshops & Seminar Areas: Designed as interactive learning environments, these encourage craft revival and creative dialogue.
- Exhibition Spaces: Spanning three levels, the exhibition complex allows flexibility for pop-ups, digital installations, and art fairs.
- Street Food & Retail Areas: By integrating everyday commerce with cultural engagement, the design sustains economic and social vibrancy.
Each spatial detail is rooted in contextual responsiveness, ensuring that movement across the site feels natural and continuous. The layered sections and circulation networks establish visual and physical connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, embodying the project’s ethos of inclusivity.
Sustainability: Rooted in Local Materials and Methods
HUB-BA emphasizes sustainable architecture by leveraging local materials and vernacular construction techniques. The project champions the revival of traditional craftsmanship while meeting contemporary needs for ecological responsibility.
Key sustainable materials include:
- Red Oxide Flooring – cost-effective, durable, and low in carbon footprint.
- Attangudi Tiles – handmade cement tiles from Tamil Nadu that add color durability and local character.
- Sun-Dried Interlocking Bricks – eliminating the need for cement mortar and minimizing embodied energy.
- Bamboo and Steel – renewable materials offering tensile strength and design flexibility.
Together, these materials represent a synthesis of tradition and innovation — embodying a modern Indian architectural identity that is both sustainable and timeless.
Interactive Art and Experiential Design
A standout feature of HUB-BA is its commitment to experiential design. Interactive art installations, such as frosted glass surfaces and chalk-filled walls, invite public participation. The Madhubani and Warli art walls, along with the Rangoli platform, are conceived as living canvases that change with every visitor’s touch, reflecting the evolving nature of community expression.
By integrating such transient art spaces, the project turns architecture into an experience — dynamic, temporal, and inclusive.
Cultural Significance: Redefining Bharat Bhavan for the Future
Unlike traditional cultural centers that isolate art within walls, HUB-BA @ Parade democratizes it. The project merges leisure, learning, and livelihood, echoing the multifaceted nature of Indian culture. It redefines Bharat Bhavan for the 21st century as a place where tradition meets technology and where every individual can be both spectator and creator.
Through adaptive reuse of local resources and sensitivity to its urban context, HUB-BA becomes a model for cultural architecture that is rooted in sustainability and driven by inclusivity. It reminds us that architecture, at its best, not only shelters art but also shapes the way we live it.
Architecture as Cultural Evolution
HUB-BA @ Parade stands as an architectural manifesto for the evolving Indian city. It symbolizes the transition from static cultural monuments to dynamic, people-centric spaces. By engaging with local materials, regional art forms, and participatory design, the project bridges the past and the future — creating a built environment that celebrates identity, community, and continuity.
