Banaras Hatt: Reimagining Urban Identity

Author: Durgesh Naik
Site Location: Varanasi
Institute: Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Architecture (VESCOA)
Advisor: Ar. Abhishek Kadam

Description

Varanasi, known as the spiritual capital of India, is experiencing growing tourism and rapid urban development, which are reshaping its historic urban fabric. As new architectural typologies emerge, the city is challenged to accommodate contemporary needs while balancing the relationship between heritage and everyday life.

The project is a threshold between living heritage and contemporary architectural expression. In a city defined by sacred heritage, can contemporary architecture, through a deliberate dialogue of harmony and contrast, reinforce the relationship between people, place, and cultural identity? The design intervention is programmatic, proposing a mixed-use facility while positioning the visitor centre within the tourist network rather than an isolated location. The design responds to the dense fabric of Varanasi by easing out pressure on existing public spaces and introducing new public spaces and programs. The project establishes a new landmark that is not defined by visual dominance but rather by its social inclusivity and a new form of public space.

The project addresses equity through social inclusion, local economy, and cultural identity. It preserves and reinforces existing everyday local activities, creating collaborative spaces for local crafts, retail, and cultural activities. The project draws its architecture from Varanasi’s local material and cultural character, reinterpreting them through contemporary forms and expression to establish an identity rooted in place.