Ananta

Stepping down and into the space of the Indian traditional baoli (stepwell) feels akin to theatre, where life is staged on infinite steps. Both within and outside perceived time, these spaces are historical yet alive; instigating contemplation. With Ananta, the baoli’s distinct morphology is flipped on its axis to transform into an immersive time-space glitch. 

Conceived as a monolithic stainless steel structure with space folded unto itself and refracted ad infinitum, this peculiar mise-en-scene of the baoli becomes a stage for vivid fantasies. Plain steps reflected on fathomless mirrored planes—distinctions between the tangible and intangible blur as SHROFFLEóN, led by Maria I Jimenez-Leon and Kayzad R.Shroff, reflects on the sustainable, versatile materiality of stainless steel in collaboration with Jindal Stainless. The studio’s restraint in choosing this mono-material, from structure to cladding, opens avenues to explore details, joineries, finishes and the properties of a singular element—an experiment in stainless steel’s duplicitous simplicity, turning what was two-dimensional into multi-dimensions. 

As one navigates Ananta, disorientation resolves into revelation.

SHROFFLEóN

SHROFFLEóN is a Mumbai based Architecture, Landscape and Interior Design Studio. The studio is headed by Kayzad Shroff (Cornell,USA) and Maria Isabel Jimenez Leon (Cornell,USA, ETSAS, Spain).