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- Project: The Museum of Meenakari Heritage
- Architects: Studio Lotus
- Principal Architect: Ambrish Arora
- Area: 204 m?
- Year of Completion: 2023
- Photography: Ishita Sitawala
The largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan is Jaipur, also referred to as the Pink City. Founded in the 18th century as India’s first planned city by Sawai Jai Singh, the city is now a popular tourist destination for both domestic and foreign travellers. It is a gorgeous city that is part of the touristic Golden Triangle, along with Delhi and Agra and features magnificent palaces, forts, and ancient sites. It has several attractions. For those going to the desert cities of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, it also acts as a stepping stone.
Jaipur is expanding quickly, and both public and private sectors are working on several development projects. Jaipur’s distinctively coloured buildings, which were painted this colour to mimic the red sandstone architecture of Mughal cities, have earned it the moniker “Pink City.” The current deep red hue is the result of building repainting done in preparation for a Prince of Wales visit in 1876.
Handlooms and handicrafts from Rajasthan are well-known worldwide. These handicrafts are fashionable and captivating, embossed and printed using some of the most famous artistic mediums. In addition, the city is well-known for its leather crafts, jewellery, especially Kundan and meenakari, and handmade paper. Although Jaipur has always been a city rich in history, architecture, art, and culture, we are currently seeing a revitalized rebirth as modern stewards of the city’s legacy shift the focus back to its numerous jewels. Jaipur’s newest attraction is the recently opened Museum of Meenakari Heritage (MoMH).
MoMH is a privately funded museum by jeweller Sunita Shekhawat. It is curated by renowned jewellery historian and academic Dr Usha R. Balakrishnan, designed by Siddhartha Das Studio, and built by Studio Lotus.
The Jewellery Museum
The museum takes back to 16th century Persia, narrating the story of meenakari in India; and its journey through epochs. The goal was to create a significant bridge between the past and the present, a setting where traditions are not only preserved for posterity but also drive upbeat views.
The museum was designed with red sandstone; integrating with the cityscape of Pink City with ease. The facade is an addition to Jaipur’s Indo-Saracenic architectural history, inspired by Rajput, Mughal, and Art Deco culture. This approach reflects Sunita Shekhawat’s creative approach to her jewellery, which, while based on history, easily transitions into European and other contemporary incarnations.
Architecture of the Museum
The balconies were curved; the irregularly shaped footprint, and then a form was created that blends details and motifs from several eras, weaving them together to create a single, harmonious image. The ground and first floors are articulated to read as one from the outside through an elevation-based double-height entry arch.
The museum binds retail, workplace, and offices all together with the central cut-out. This void houses an elemental staircase and elevator. While charcoal grey sets the tone on the ground floor, lime plaster, stone, and terrazzo finish the first floor, and the lower ground floor has a stunning eggshell white lime stucco finish.
The modest colour scheme immediately draws attention to the hand-painted frescoes on the ceiling. This approach reflects Sunita Shekhawat’s creative approach to her jewellery, which, while based on history, easily transitions into European and other contemporary incarnations.
The Sunita Shekhawat Flagship Store in Jaipur aims to make jewellery purchases a life-changing event. The Meenakari Museum uses programmatic diversity, multi-layered facade design, and adaptive reuse to pay homage to the city and create a new luxury retail paradigm.
Sources
- https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredible-india-v2/en/destinations/jaipur/art-and-crafts.html
- https://lifestyle.livemint.com/fashion/trends/meenakari-museum-jaipur-sunita-shekhawat-jewellery-history-enamelling-mughal-111710417228358.html
- https://www.cntraveller.in/story/a-first-of-its-kind-meenakari-jewellery-museum-opens-in-jaipur/
- https://www.thevoiceoffashion.com/fabric-of-india/features/speaking-in-meenakari-at-a-new-museum-in-jaipur–5881
- https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/sunita-shekhawats-meenakari-museum-palace-of-discoveries-an-ode-to-jaipur-and-the-art-of-enamelling-studio-lotus/
- https://www.architectureplusdesign.in/architecture/honoring-rajasthans-artistic-legacy-the-museum-of-meenakari-heritage-and-flagship-store-for-sunita-shekhawat-by-studio-lotus/