Third Space Cultural and Learning Center in Udaipur: A Hub for Learning, Creativity, and Community

The Third Space Cultural and Learning Center, designed by Studio Saar, marks a pioneering milestone in Udaipur’s cultural landscape. Conceived in collaboration with Dharohar, a not-for-profit organization, this center is envisioned as an inclusive, accessible space beyond home or school, promoting learning, creativity, and community engagement.

A Multi-Functional Cultural Destination

The center is more than a museum, makerspace, or performance hall; it seamlessly integrates diverse functions including cinema, climbing walls, workshops, exhibitions, and flexible learning zones. The architectural layout is organized around a pinwheel of cloisters surrounding a central courtyard, creating a cohesive yet versatile environment for life-long learning and community interaction.

The central courtyard serves as the heart of Third Space, accommodating the main activities and linking peripheral zones. Transition spaces: entrances, corridors, and intermediate courtyards: are thoughtfully designed as flexible community spaces, supporting performances, gatherings, and informal interactions under one roof.

Sustainable and Local Materiality

Sustainability is a cornerstone of the project. The building extensively uses local materials adapted for Udaipur’s harsh climate, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Key strategies include:

• Waste marble rubble and lime mortar from nearby mines form the primary masonry walls.
• Marble dust replaces cement in concrete, creating a light-colored material that reflects heat and enhances natural ventilation.
• Reclaimed marble cut-offs are reused as flooring, while metal offcuts are transformed into chainmail doors and partitions.
• White marble screens and ceramic tiles are locally sourced.
• A woven bamboo roof canopy provides solar shading, offering a low-carbon, biodegradable alternative to conventional aluminium shades.

These measures exemplify eco-conscious design, demonstrating how sustainability can harmonize with architectural excellence.

Collaborative and Innovative Design

The design process relied on collaboration with multiple specialists: Webb Yates Engineers for the canopy, Sarnar Buildtech for façade fixation, and testing the marble screens for earthquake resistance. This cooperative approach ensured structural integrity, functional flexibility, and aesthetic quality, while reflecting lessons in interdisciplinary design.

The architectural inspiration draws from Rajasthani heritage, particularly the havelis and stepwells. The central courtyard, reminiscent of traditional havelis, organizes circulation around a flexible exhibition, performance, and meeting space. At the entrance, visitors encounter a modern reinterpretation of the Baori (step well), featuring cubic platforms for play, seating, and social interaction.

A Learning Hub for the Community

Third Space is designed to foster a generation of life-long learners, offering spaces where people can:

• Explore creative hobbies
• Engage in cultural experiences
• Collaborate with peers
• Attend workshops and performances

By combining educational, recreational, and cultural functions under one roof, the center becomes a model for future multi-purpose cultural spaces.

All photographs are works of  Edmund Sumner, Ankit Jain, Ananya Singhal