Bridging the cultures of a microcosm

Abstract

Culture is a way of life practiced by certain group of people. It forms the identity of the society. It is dynamic and adapted to change. Architecture is the physical manifestation of the culture practiced. Changes in culture is visible in the architectural identity. Culturalrepresentation in architecture helps to crystallize certain forms of significant culture against the progress of time. This helps in preservation of that culture for awareness as well as one’s identity. In today’s time of globalization and internationalism, cultural representation in architecture has become all the more important to prevent monotonous environment and maintain diversity. Mattancherry was once a famous spice trading center. People from all over the world came to do business. Exchange spices. Many settled and made their home in Mattancherry. Over the due course of time Mattancherry got left behind in the process of development, it had become stagnant due to shift in trade increase in business opportunities outside of Mattancherry. Now Mattancherry has been classified as a cultural heritage core where it has become a melting pot enclose of cultures and communities that once made their home in Mattancherry. The quiet streets the abandoned warehouses that was once the origin of the city and the people who made their home is waiting for the missing bustle. The decaying culture and heritage of the city and its need to be acknowledged made it a potential candidate that bought itself, Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Asia’s largest art exhibition which debates cultures and art from all parts of the world. This has brought influx and people and the kind of bustle that was once missing but the locals in this case were left behind Hence, the thesis intends to propose a cultural hub that bring together the communities of Mattancherry and showcase the image of Mattancherry promoting its culture locally and globally.