At FOAID 2024, Vaishali Mangalvedhekar of SJK Architects delivered a deeply moving solo presentation that explored how architecture can become a vessel for memory, cultural identity, and emotional resonance. Using a Buddhist-inspired hotel project in Bodh Gaya as a central case study, she articulated the practice’s philosophy of creating designs that act as bridges—between people and place, between past and present, and between utility and meaning. Her talk served as a powerful reminder that architecture is not just about buildings, but about belonging.
Resisting Cultural Erosion Through Architecture
Vaishali began by framing her talk around the idea of cultural erosion—a phenomenon accelerated by the forces of globalization and urban homogenization. She referenced Charles Kurien’s essay Roads and Bridges, which spoke about the slow fading of cultural identity and how the creative community often responds by turning toward the familiar—rituals, symbols, materials, and stories.
Architects, she argued, are not separate from this response. Like writers or musicians, they too are capable of protest—by resisting sameness and reclaiming the local. Architecture, in this sense, becomes a quiet rebellion: not loud or defiant, but powerful in how it preserves the texture of place. This philosophical foundation formed the bedrock of SJK’s work in Bodh Gaya, where Vaishali and her team sought not just to design a hotel, but to create a space that would resonate with meaning for both pilgrims and locals.
Designing with Memory: Drawing from Buddhist Architecture
The central strategy of the Bodh Gaya project was anchored in the idea of memory—not nostalgia or replication, but a thoughtful reinterpretation of historical architectural elements. Vaishali spoke at length about the extensive research that went into understanding the spatial grammar of ancient Buddhist sites, such as the ruins of Nalanda University, the Mahabodhi Temple, and Sujata Stupa.
These weren’t just tourist visits; they were detailed architectural pilgrimages—documenting proportions, materials, thresholds, and movement patterns. The team carefully translated these findings into contemporary design gestures—rhythmic colonnades, inward-looking courtyards, and symbolic forms that echoed the sanctity of Buddhist heritage. This memory-based design approach gave the architecture a sense of familiarity and rootedness, allowing visitors to intuitively connect with the space, even if they didn’t fully understand the source of that connection.
Emotion as Design Material: Simplicity and Serenity
Vaishali then moved from the architectural to the emotional—arguing that true luxury doesn’t always come from expensive materials, but from the feelings a space evokes. At Bodh Gaya, the team used a modest palette—white plastered walls, locally available Dholpur stone, handmade terracotta tiles—to achieve a tactile warmth and visual calmness. Inspired by Buddhist values of simplicity, compassion, and serenity, the design was intentionally restrained.
There were no dramatic flourishes or showy details—just a quiet confidence in the power of clean lines, soft transitions, and human-scale courtyards. She emphasized that this emotional quality was especially important in a hospitality setting, where guests are often seeking reflection, peace, or spiritual connection. The team’s goal wasn’t to impress—but to move. This segment of her talk underscored how material humility, when paired with intentional design, can result in a richer and more meaningful experience than any high-budget spectacle.
Symbolism and the Contemporary Pilgrim Experience
In the final thematic segment, Vaishali spoke about symbolism—not as a decorative afterthought, but as a foundational design strategy. The interior architecture drew from Buddhist symbology such as the Vajradhatu Mandala, which is associated with five Dhyani Buddhas and carries layers of meaning through colors, mudras, elements, and seasonal associations. These symbolic systems were used to inform the material palettes and spatial organization across the hotel—especially in areas like the pool court, spa, and residential wings. This wasn’t just about cultural expression; it was about creating a deeper emotional bond between the pilgrim and the place.
Additionally, by involving local artisans—12 villages and 26 families in crafting over 80,000 handmade tiles—the project helped sustain traditional crafts while creating authentic, site-specific architecture. The hotel became more than accommodation; it became a living, breathing embodiment of Buddhist philosophy—resonating with both visitors and the community that built it.
Key Takeaways:
- Architecture can push back against cultural erasure by rooting design in local identity
- Historical memory, when adapted thoughtfully, adds depth and emotional connection
- Humble materials and simple gestures can deliver luxury through experience, not expense
- Symbolism and community craft can elevate built form into meaningful storytelling
Designing for Belonging
Vaishali Mangalvedhekar’s talk was a quiet yet powerful call to action for architects to design with sensitivity, to treat memory and emotion not as aesthetic choices, but as foundational tools. Her approach demonstrated how even contemporary architecture can carry the soul of a place—through proportion, symbolism, and rootedness. By blending past narratives with present needs, SJK Architects showed how we can create buildings that are not only contextual but also deeply moving.
Curious to experience the full conversation? Watch the complete session here:
