In a 3-tier town still yearning for modern progress, “Taaza” emerges as a beacon of refined design and sustainability, crafted entirely by local hands and materials, embodying sophistication through simplicity.
Project Name: Taaza-the green grocery store
Studio Name: W5 Architects
Project location: Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Completion: September 2022
Area: 348 ft²
Lead Designer: Ar. Prakhar Ranjan & Team
Photographer: Dhrupad Shukla
This humble green grocery store, strives to bring a refreshing ease to daily shopping. The spinal goal was to craft a space that would not only meet the needs of a semi-urban neighborhood but also introduces a design aesthetic that resonates with the roots of town, while moving towards a more organized future. Critical to the approach was to generate a low-cost & sustainable model, that is easy to erect, and renders a marking brand value.
With a limited budget and a strong commitment to sustainability, the store’s design gently balances affordability with environmental consciousness. Strawcture eco boards, formed from compressed agricultural waste, become the heart of the structure, framing the essence of a space built to last and nurture. Locally sourced mild steel is hand-wrought by craftsmen to form functional, durable storage.
At the center of the store sits a ‘Thela’—the familiar street cart—a symbolic nod to the local shopping culture. Here, it takes pride of place, offering the freshest fruits while transforming the everyday experience into something familiar yet evolved. The flow of the space allows for a quick, intuitive browsing experience, offering a clear view to the passerby and an effortless shopping experience for the customer.
In this space, even the smallest details tell a story of sustainability. Handmade lamps, crafted from low-cost steel bowls and inverted plastic glasses, hang overhead, their simple forms painted white to reflect the purity of purpose.
Discarded metal profile sheets enable selective wall cladding, and perforated metal sheets available inexpensively form ceiling that encloses the store with quiet elegance. For the shorter among us, tilted mirrors offer a glimpse of higher shelves, a simple but considerate gesture that speaks to the heart of the design: accessible, user-friendly, and inclusive.
