Amidst the dense fabric of South Mumbai, a once-forgotten stretch of steps and overgrown garden has undergone a remarkable transformation. Nepean Greens, located on the iconic Nepean Sea Road, is a quiet revolution in public space design—one that reimagines everyday urbanism through the lens of accessibility, ecology, and community life.

Crafted by the multidisciplinary collective Compartment S4, the project is a vivid example of how thoughtful, context-aware architecture can inject purpose and vibrancy into underutilized city spaces.

Where Infrastructure Meets Intimacy

What used to be a disjointed staircase connecting two road levels has now evolved into a stepped plaza, blending fluidly with the adjacent garden. The space now hosts terraced lawns, accessible ramps, informal seating, and open platforms—all designed to support a wide range of activities, from yoga and board games to community events, performances, and casual social interaction.

The materials, too, narrate a story. Black granite clads the extended steps, while bursts of red Lakha and yellow Jaisalmer stone break the monotony and highlight cozy nooks for pause and play. A gabion wall bench filled with colored pebbles, topped with red Lakha stone, doubles as a sculptural element and comfortable seat—an invitation to linger.

Design That Embraces Everyone

A core aspect of the intervention is its emphasis on inclusivity. The integration of a gentle sloping ramp ensures barrier-free access across levels, making the site usable for people of all ages and abilities. By rethinking circulation, the design not only improves physical movement but also facilitates social permeability, creating a rare, welcoming space in the heart of one of Mumbai’s busiest neighborhoods.

Commissioned by the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the project stands as a benchmark for public infrastructure that feels personal—a place where civic design meets human scale.

The Studio Behind the Shift

The brilliance of Nepean Greens lies not just in its execution, but in its ideology—one shaped by the collaborative ethos of Compartment S4, a design practice founded in 2017 with studios across Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Known for their multidisciplinary work in architecture, interiors, urban planning, and social infrastructure, the studio functions as a collective of designers committed to inclusive, people-centric, and sustainable environments.

Their approach is iterative and layered, blending social, economic, and environmental sensibilities to craft places that reflect the spirit of their context while elevating daily life. Nepean Greens exemplifies this philosophy—quietly powerful, beautifully utilitarian, and deeply rooted in the needs of the people it serves.