This architectural thesis is not just a design project, but a series of chapters and personal ventures. Mumbai is a city of landmarks; some tend to glorify them and others try to keep them relevant even in the future. Through this project an attempt is made to take one such landmark into the future. We have seen landmarks in Mumbai being redeveloped into a forgetful entity. How a memory of a space and the people living around it help in shaping the architecture of a city, is the key focus. This project through the help of the chapters help in elaborating the past, the present and the future of landmark. This thesis is not only the exploration of the city as a whole but also a dive into the personal Experiences.

The design idea focuses on the city of Mumbai, which is under constant upgradation. In this process of upgradation how an identity of a place is formed and what role does the memory of a place play in formation of those identities is explored. Memory of a place is different for different people. But what makes a place memorable?

The most important aspects are the story and the purpose of the place. The human memory consists of three types long-term, short-term and sensory. Out of these memories sensory, is the one which creates an instant trigger in the minds of people. Redevelopment of a place keeping these aspects in mind is the core focus of this project.

Such is the chosen site for the thesis which is the first factory developed by the parle products. Parle products have a legacy of a decade. This legacy had its humble beginnings in a small town of vile parle in the city of Mumbai, from which it derives its name. the factory begins as a part of swaraj movement which acted as the first make in India movement before independence. Thus, the place not only has feelings of the city attached to it but is also of cultural and historic importance.

Many interviews taken from around the parle area and also throughout the city of Mumbai shows their attachment to the factory. The factory which closed its door in the year of 2016 still remains in the memory of the city. In this case the main sensory trigger for the memory is the smell of the place. But there are also the layers of different memories that the place generated. For ex: the day-to-day work culture of the place, the visit of the factory by the children all around the city and the memory of people living in the slums and residences around the factory.


The main purpose of the design is the collect the assembly of these memories and upgrade the factory to the needs of the current generation. The design includes the opinions of the people around the factory and their perception of the spaces. This helps in creating a place which will remain in the memory of the future generations.

The design programs start by analyzing the simple things that shaped how the factory worked and what the future holds for the factory in terms of the memory, practicality and inclusion of the neighborhood. The memory of the work culture of the place is redefined with the work culture that defines the neighborhood. An attempt is made to include the elements of the existing factory like their ismb beams and their angle sections for the future use. Thus, adaptation is the main element of the design process.

“SOMETIMES YOU WILL NEVER KNOW THE TRUE VALUE OF A MOMENT UNTIL IT BECOMES A MEMORY.”