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An Ahmedabad space dedicated to temple designs

Ideas & Inspiration

By Kriti Saraswat-Satpathy

Mar 13, 2025

Cabin artwork – Beautiful Homes

Designed by Shweta Jain of Space Karma Design Studio for clients who are temple architects, this “experience centre” in Ahmedabad also showcases the beauty of marble

The client, a renowned temple architect with a family business legacy dating back to 1940, approached Shweta Jain, principal designer and founder of Space Karma Design Studio, to design a space unlike any other in Ahmedabad. With over 40 years of expertise in building bespoke mandirs for homes to iconic temple restorations, the fourth-generation client wanted a space to showcase temple architecture in a unique and impactful way. In addition to this, the space also had to function as a fully operational office, accommodating staff seating, a conference area, a cabin, and a pantry.

“Having mastered the art of using marble, their work reflects a deep commitment to craftsmanship carrying forward the tradition of temple architecture. The primary brief from our client was to create an “experience centre” that would stand out in Ahmedabad. So our central focus was to design the main area as a showcase of their craft, ensuring that clients who walked in would immediately experience the essence of their expertise,” shares Jain.

Material Play

She used marble and various stones as the primary materials throughout the space, keeping in mind how integral they are to temple architecture in India. “We aimed to showcase marble’s versatility and our clients' prowess by pushing boundaries and exploring its possibilities beyond traditional temple carvings. We wanted to demonstrate that marble can be used in innovative ways, offering a modern perspective while retaining its timeless appeal,” she adds.

Partition style – Beautiful Homes — The contrasting styles of the partitions add depth and character to the space while highlighting the versatility of marble.

Corridor ceiling design – Beautiful Homes — The ceiling design for the corridor is planned to harmonise with the flow of the partitions and flooring.

As one enters the space, intricately-made curved marble partitions separate areas such as the staff seating, conference room and experience gallery. “The space has only two doors—one at the entrance and one for the cabin. Beyond that, it features an open layout reminiscent of a temple. These curved screens overlap each other, subtly dividing the space while sparking curiosity about what lies behind,” reveals Jain.

Each partition features a distinct design—one with traditional jaali work and the other with a contemporary aesthetic of symmetrical rectangular cut-outs.

Sanctum Sanctorum

Behind the partitions, sample models of home temples are highlighted against the backdrop of arched columns with a wallpaper from the latest Sabyasachi x Nilaya collection by Asian Paints. “The ochre/kesar tone, reminiscent of sandalwood with a subtle gold touch, was selected to complement the space's aesthetic and add a sense of warmth and richness,” she adds.

Model temple pieces – Beautiful Homes — The model temple pieces can be viewed by the visitors coming to the experience centre.

Flooring - Beautiful Homes — In the cabin, a part of the flooring is done using three different marble colours, adding a distinct character to the private space.

As you move into the cabin, wood takes over but not without the inclusion of marble throughout the space. From the central art piece to the flooring, the material makes its way into this room too. Reserved for their client helming the office, it is the central hub for taking critical decisions. “The cabin was treated as the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) of the office, akin to the innermost space of a temple where the deity is placed. It has a door to ensure privacy, security and its symbolic importance,” concludes Jain.

All images by Nayan Soni; Styling by Saniya Tadha

Shweta Jain – Beautiful Homes — Shweta Jain is the principal designer and founder of Space Karma Design Studio.

Traditional timeless wallpaper – Beautiful Homes — The wallpaper has been chosen for its traditional yet timeless designs.

Cabin artwork – Beautiful Homes — The artwork behind the desk in the cabin is a painting crafted from multiple small pieces of marble and precious stones.

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