calico dome revival project by Geetika from india

The revival project was undertaken as an hypothetical endeavor to study and practice, “Design of Space”. The idea of the project was to study the elements of a public space and identify the needs of that space. The Calico Dome is located in the busiest part of the city of “Ahmedabad”. It was designed by Buckminster Fuller for the Calico Mills and functioned as retail shop in the basement in the 1970’s. The iconic Calico Dome has tattered and faded into nothingness over time, just like the once popular Calico Mills.

For the revival of the space, the idea was to use the location of the space to its most and develop something that is indigenous and for the people of the area. Research, studies and analysis led me to develop a concept to propagate communal harmony in a state that had started picking itself up from the dark history of communal riots and reviving it’s economy and livelihood.

Each month of the year brings along a new festival in India, and following this concept of celebrations we came to the conclusion that the dome can be home to these celebrations. Each month would have a special display relating to that particular festival and the craftsman shall be displaying his array of crafts . Along with this, the basement would retail these products, which would not only be adding a restoration but a commercial viability of this concept as well.

Ideating the model for January celebrating “Uttarayan”, which amalgamates the elements of colors, harmony , adventure, and the International Kite Festival. This festival is a melting pot for tourists in Ahmedabad , and kite enthusiasts from all over the world. Any celebration at the dome at this time would definitely put it on the world map. Kite making has a unique story in the city, the kites are made by numerous of Muslims families scattered over various parts of the city and the Hindu community with equal zeal flies these. The Muslim kite makers work throughout the year to make beautifully crafted kites of various shapes, sizes and colors. My main focus was now presenting the story and forming a link between the
users and makers of kites, the symbol of syncretism. Its only when I tell the story will people realize and look at the ideology of communal harmony as an effortless thing. So I decided to present the story right from the infancy of the kites to the festival to the aftermath of the festival focusing on all issues from communal harmony to environmental loss as well.

The images show the illustration that will cover the inner surface of the dome and narrate the unique story. The ground floor will be home to the various craftsmen who have made kites all their lives but never have been acknowledged. These craftsmen will provide live demonstration and people can sit with them to make kites and the basement would be the location for retail aspect of these kites. Along with this there can be competitions like, the most creative kite for each day and these kites would be displayed as the festival moved. Various other activities can be organized to get people excited about the event. Local women using local techniques of appliqué , patchwork and using locally available material would create the display of the story itself.

Through these activities I would like the local people to get engaged in it so that they can carry this forward every year. The model I developed was for January, similarly in February the dome could celebrate the festival of Shivratri , while in March the festival Holi with its myriad colors could bring the dome to life in the first fortnight while the grand celebrations for Eid could be celebrated over the next. April would be for the solemn festival Easter. Some months will also focus on the concepts of a greener planet, global warming, AIDS and many more. Soon the Calico Dome will make its mark in the city and in country owing to the fact that the Dome caters to the needs of the people, is managed by the people and it is for the people.