Drawing on India’s rich and varied traditions and symbolism, this cultural centre makes a unique design statement. Allowing people to create their own special memories of this space is the main idea behind its spectacular design. The design borrows elements from Indian culture with an international appeal to result in an iconic building, that is unique to India. It would not fit anywhere else in the world.
It uses the lotus—the national flower of India representing spirituality, knowledge and illumination—in the architectural composition to beautifully reference India’s vibrant heritage. A multi-coloured, illuminated trellis canopy on the exterior makes a striking statement with overlapping metal lotus petals soaring over the entry. It provides the perfect transition to the three-story lobby that features the grand statuario white marble and honey onyx staircase.
The stair cantilevers form an 80-foot tall, curved wall clad with cast gold coloured glass tiles and a shimmering waterbody that glimmers with mosaic Sicis tiles in gold, teal and burnished russet hues. A second grand wall clad with cast GRG wall accented with Swarovski crystals outside the theatre entrance provides the perfect foyer to the Theatre and arrival into an extraordinary experience.
The overall design of the Grand Theater and all its intricate layers celebrates the luxurious level of craft and design that reflects the richness of colour, detail and pattern of India making this a singular world experience. The Grand Theatre features exquisite jewel-toned Sicis mosaic glass tiles from Italy; customized laser-cut meta jaali screens from Dubai; acoustic micro-perforated walnut wood with the ability to absorb sound from Greece; handrails, door frames and millwork from Muscat; custom-coloured fabric from Germany and walnut clad seating from Italy.
The stand-out feature of this world-class hall is the bespoke ceiling. Custom-built in Austria, 17 lotus petals with arabesque perforated patterns studded with 8,400 Swarovski crystals individually programmable and illuminated transform this remarkable ceiling into a theatrical performance element by itself. Its ability to change in colour and pattern integrated into theatre events makes this unique in the world.
The other two theatres, 250 and 125 seats, are more subtle and subdued than the main theatre but designed with the same warmth in mind. These spaces are the backbone of the center providing special performances of very intimate, small-scale works.
All patterns, profiles and detailed development of features were created by the design firm.
Gallery:
Project Details:
Name: Jio World Centre / Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre
Location: Mumbai, India
Status: Completed (2023)
Typology: Cultural Architecture
Clients: Reliance Industries Limited
Architects: TVS Design
Area: 16,000 sq. ft. exhibition space; 1,92,500 sq ft. 2,000-seat Grand Theatre; 250-seat Studio Theatre; 125 seat Cube
Description: TVS Design
Photographs Courtesy of TVS Design
