ORANGE

The Premise:

The act of story telling has, historically, been a powerful tool to communicate and disseminate meanings. Architecture has always claimed to communicate meaning and yet, the idea of narratives remains limited to some theoretical expression. Can the architect assume the role of a story teller and offer spatial experiences that create an experience of a narrative for the user?

Mumbai, Tuesday, 6:11pm

The act of story telling has, historically, been a powerful tool to communicate and disseminate meanings. Architecture has always claimed to communicate meaning and yet, the idea of narratives remains limited to some theoretical expression. Can the architect assume the role of a story teller and offer spatial experiences that create an experience of a narrative for the user?

“Agla station, Sandhurst Road…” said the announcement. Kavita smiled at Ajaz in the bid to say goodbye, while she slowly moved towards the door to get off. There were thousands like him, waiting at the platform, puffing, panting & constantly stressing, to keep up with the struggle to get in.

"The Railway had done a Fabulous job in bringing the Mumbaikar's closer" he thought to himself, while holding on to the grab handle in resentment.

In between all the push and pull, his eyes met with a sudden dash of orange. Ajaz went on to peep through hundreds of heads ahead of him to find out what it was, but his efforts weren’t paying off. He took a quick glance at his wrist watch and looked up again. There it was! The orange! But this time, it seemed to have changed form.

An unusual desire to go closer impressed within him as the sun set beautifully, with the city’s dingy concrete in the background, while the train stirred ahead. Maybe he could try to get a better look at the orange again tomorrow or maybe, Kavita could tell him what it was! Who knew?

Click to watch Ajaz's Story

Mumbai, Tuesday, 6:13pm

Kavita pushed through the crowd, clenching her bag as close to herself as possible. Mumbai’s rhythm was maddening!

Heading towards the staircase with a sigh of relief, she noticed the yard below. The familiarity of the green instilled a sense of calm within her, while the city peeled off, layer after layer. Even though this route took her longer to get home, Kavita enjoyed every bit of it. It was perfect!

As she plodded ahead, there was a sudden flash of orange. The sight stumbled her for a bit, but she decided to look closer, when the orange flashed again, even more vibrantly this time!

She wished she could tell Ajaz about it, at that very moment!

Click to watch Kavita's Story

Every time one looks at the yard through the train's window, one notices something new! The charisma of the sun's Orange, melting with the yard in the background, is magical, almost unreal.

One tries to decipher its existence as the train continues to move but to no avail. The arrival of this visual, as a part of one’s otherwise banal journey, is highly anticipated, almost prophesied.

However, to one’s surprise, the Orange is long gone… it is now, a deep Purple!

Click to watch the story of Orange