Microeconomies through Artisan Handicraft Industry- Design of Heritage Market Spaces

This project delivers a socially valuable and regionally grounded proposal aimed at revitalizing Kolhapur’s handicraft industries—specifically the Kolhapuri chappal and traditional jewelry (saaz)—through an architectural and urban intervention. The strategy to create a pedestrian-friendly promenade, accompanied by a cultural center and open-air auditorium, is well-aligned with the project’s goal of preserving heritage while boosting local economies. The use of a “kit of parts” approach for facadism is both technically and culturally sensitive, drawing on traditional stone and wood construction while incorporating modern materials like structural steel and Corten panels for the auditorium. The zoning and programmatic decisions reflect an inclusive and community-oriented design strategy. However, while the urban gesture and technical choices are strong, the architectural expression could benefit from greater coherence. The visual identity of the various programmatic elements, particularly their integration into the promenade, would benefit from more spatial hierarchy and differentiation. The project also hints at policy integration for maintenance, but this remains underdeveloped in architectural terms. Overall, this is a context-aware and socially impactful project that balances heritage preservation with economic regeneration, and with further spatial refinement, it could become a replicable model for similar heritage towns.