The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi in India, a land flanked by river Tungabhadra, domineering hill ranges and open plains, needs no introduction apropos of its rich fabric. The grandiose of the Kingdom of Vijaynagar percolate, even today, through the remnants of the Dravidian temples, palaces, shrines, forts and the numerous intricate structures that stood the test of time. Adjacent to this site that cradles a colossal legacy of art, architecture and heritage, a new harbour for creative arts takes shape: the Hampi Art Labs. The structure, undulating in unison with the landscape, is designed by Indian architecture practice Sameep Padora and Associates (sP+a) for the JSW Foundation, the social development arm of the JSW Group. "If you look at images of Hampi or visit Hampi you will see that the buildings almost sit like they have become a part of the landscape and in certain parts, the landscape looks like it is architecture. We have tried to meld the gap between what people see as architecture and landscape,” Indian architect Sameep Padora, founder and principal of his eponymous practice tells STIR.

Situated near Hampi, the centre is conceived to build an interdisciplinary institution inspired by the ancient temple city—a sanctuary where art, architecture and literature flourished from the 14^th to 16^th centuries. The Hampi Art Labs aspires to harbour and foster creative thinking, collaboration and experimentation through a variety of programmes and a spectrum of spaces—exhibition spaces, studios, apartments for residents, gardens and a cafe—that accommodate art and artists. Meandering across 9 acres of previously barren, site in Karnataka, the art centre opened its doors in February 2024. In a conversation with STIR, Padore notes, "We were trying to create a space that was as open as possible so that it could be flexible. But, while flexibility becomes a key component, it is also about the ability of the space to bleed into the landscape and other spaces. It was an aspect of fluidity that was brought into the project because of the way it was designed.”

Mumbai-based practice sP+a, across its diverse oeuvre, draws from a project’s unique context—treating it as a treasure trove of resources, techniques, traditions and inspirations. With these as a frame of reference, the architects catalyse a process of evolution that explores regional craft and tradition, preserving them while also positioning them within the current global canvas. Projects by Padora reveal a prototype that sits at the intersection of traditional and contemporary architecture practice; a similar language is reflected in the Hampi Art Labs.

The process of realisation of the labs began with a completely barren site adjacent to the rich lands of Hampi. The condition of the site and the lack of any noticeable features posed the first challenge of the design. Expanding on this obstacle faced, Padora shares, "The idea of context then became a lot broader. We were trying to look at how we could abstract the idea of Hampi, its landscape, and bring that to the site.” The art centre, hence, imbibed the riverine landscape of the Tungabhadra and the gently ebbing and flowing surrounding hills. The design team pursued this sizeable concept with utmost respect to the rich past and context of the famed land the project was named after.

The very scale of the building becomes a characteristic that demands attention. Donned in earthy red, the structure appears to be emerging from the landscape and melting into it. Constructing organic architecture at such a scale was another challenge that the team encountered, especially “in an industrial township which does not necessarily lend itself to the form-making that the Hampi Labs is about.” Elaborating further, Padora says, “The challenge was to figure out the process of building the project; we can draw it up but how do we actually build it?” The massive serpentine body is perched amidst the landscape as an augmentation of it, each curve, a reflection of its natural context.

The project is guided by a central ‘space of flows’—a theory originally coined by urban sociologist Manuel Castells—through which visitors access the property. On either side, a range of amenities available at the residency are strategically placed. While moving through the entry court, one comes across the art gallery, cafe and a large pavilion design that leads to the central court. Further, the artists’ workshops for collective use and individual studio spaces are planned. A series of amphitheatres find their place on the edge of the property, leading to a sculpture plaza. Residential spaces for artists complete the project.

"You will find the landscape that sits around the labs also climbs up on the roof so you can move between the ground and the alternate ground that sits on top,” Padora shares with STIR. This intervention came as an effort to erase the supposed disagreement between architecture and landscape. The accessible green roofs serve as picturesque backgrounds for installation pieces across the campus; a unique perspective of land art comes into the picture, where a building harbours art not just inside or around it, but also on it. The landscape design echoes a local sensitivity in terms of materials, akin to the structure characterised by locally sourced terracotta. Paths of stabilised pebbles, recycled stone mosaics and local planting from the region adorn the site.

Hampi Art Labs is a culmination of close collaboration and constant back and forth between the teams of sP+a and JSW. Beyond that, the journey also involved a synergy between the architects and the people working on the site. “The construction team is a team that works with the factory at large, so how do you work with people whose skills are at producing scale in a way that is repetitive and not organic as the building is,” Padora elaborates on the challenge.

As all the forces and expertise intertwined, what came to fruition was an edifice that undoubtedly speaks of sP+a’s propensity for fluidity, but also of a nuanced site and its associated history. The significance of Vijaynagar, a melting pot of creative ingenuity that is Hampi, and a captivating natural landscape, together, propel ahead a new harbour for unbridled imagination. An environment aiming to inspire visitors and artists, the Hampi Art Labs harness the region’s artisanal legacy and heritage while celebrating India’s contemporary art scene.