The Shell is a design lab and a pavilion which has been developed by Studio PKA as a dedicated space to create, celebrate design and initiate dialogue

Fact File

Project name: The Shell
Architect’s Firm: Studio PKA
Project location: Alibaug, Maharashtra, India
Principal Architect: Puran Kumar
Project Team: Noel Woodward, Niharika Sunil
Completion Year: 2020
Photo credits: Sameer Chawda


The unique setting of Awas Village in Alibaug provides the possibility of identifying and documenting areas for research and engaging with local and traditional techniques.

We believe that the design lab will provide an opportunity to push the envelope and go beyond our work in the city by experimenting and dabbling in research work, the design of products, graphics and sharing unique narratives, which will involve workshops and seminars as well

Ar. Puran Kumar

The multi-functional aspect of the pavilion is not only confined to its conceptual state of being, but has also been designed to serve as a residency, a concert space as well as facilitate screenings, reading sessions and poetry.


In essence, The Shell can be described as a shared space that is about exploration as much as about expression.