VISION

The Aarti Women’s Centre reimagines a historic Mahila Samajam building from 1941 as a contemporary hub for women’s empowerment, learning and enterprise. Once derelict, it is renewed as a campus that supports rehabilitation, training and livelihood within one cohesive environment.

PROCESS

The design is anchored in adaptive reuse and climate responsiveness. Existing structural elements are retained while new functions such as training rooms, craft workshops, a shopfront café and an open-air social court are introduced. Roof modifications, shaded verandahs and controlled daylight openings reduce reliance on mechanical cooling in Kadapa’s harsh climate.

Materials are sourced locally, with artisans and women from the NGO contributing directly to finishes, making construction part of the empowerment process.

OUTCOMES

By integrating economic, educational and cultural programs, the centre becomes both practical and symbolic: a place of self-reliance and shared identity. Its collaborative delivery demonstrates design as partnership and reuse as empowerment, allowing the building to stand as an enduring statement of resilience.