Shadow and Seam: Reinterpreting History in Treelight Design's Textured Masterpiece

Amitha Madan

The transformation of the 80-year-old Papali House into the Magari retail store in Kochi is a masterpiece of architectural dialogue. Treelight Design did not attempt a simple renovation, but rather a reinterpretation , crafting a narrative that respects the colonial history of the structure while introducing a new, profound layer of contemporary abstraction.

This project is an eloquent case study in adaptive reuse, establishing a design philosophy centered on Weaving Memory into Modernity.

The Guiding Philosophy: Fabric as Architecture

The fundamental design intent was to seamlessly blend the warmth of a historic home with the functional needs of a luxury showroom. The conceptual framework that facilitated this blend was the abstract language of fabric.

The transformation demanded utmost sensitivity, respecting the past while thoughtfully inviting in the future.

The concept is applied not literally, but as a driver for texture, movement, and material transition.

Planning and Zoning: A Seamless Flow

The design consciously preserved the original spatial planning, a maze of interconnected rooms, rather than converting it into an open-plan layout.

Zoning Strategy: This original plan became the blueprint for the showroom's zoning. Each room maintains a distinct identity ("Living Setup," "Bedroom Setup," "Office") , but the continuous flow of the wall and ceiling textures ensures they remain part of a cohesive whole.

The Vertical Connection: The staircase is reimagined as a central piece of sculpture, embodying the concept of a "fabric carpet unfurling" to connect the two levels. Its light-toned, stepped form with a sharp, modern railing provides a clean visual break from the surrounding dark and textured surfaces.

Interior Elements and Ambience

The overall mood is one of grounded, understated luxury. It is achieved through a dramatic, high-contrast palette that controls light and emphasizes tactile finishes.

Palette and Texture: The design utilizes a stark, graphic contrast between dark and light.

The floors and ceilings are uniformly dark. The flooring in the original structure consists of small, dark Kadapa stone tiles laid in varied patterns, creating a tactile, "patchwork-like quality"

The walls are articulated using alternating textured plasters: a smooth grey and a coarse beige/pale yellow. These vertical panels are intended to mimic "fabric rolls" , their transitions determined by visual instinct, allowing the space to feel organic and fluid.

The dark ceiling planes often fold and flow in response to the floor's rhythm, imparting a "unique sculptural character" to each room.

Lighting and Mood: Integrated track lighting systems are strategically placed against the dark ceilings, creating focused pools of light that highlight the furniture displays, deepening the contrast and lending a gallery-like atmosphere.

The Ethereal Extension: A Lighter Touch

The newly added extension dramatically shifts the ambience, exploring the lighter, more ethereal qualities of fabric.

The mood here is bright, airy, and deeply connected to the tropical exterior.

The high, vaulted roof structure, finished in dark grey, appears weightless due to the extensive use of glass walls.

The walls employ mixed transparencies: plain, frosted, and brick glass, which filter the surrounding greenery. This layered transparency echoes the effect of sheer fabric, creating layered views without making the space feel enclosed.

Poetic Partitions: The Art of Collaboration

The final touch on zoning is the use of sheer fabric panels to create internal partitions and intimacy.

These partitions were not only functional but poetic, each one an abstract interpretation of Kerala’s landscapes.

These are collaborative artworks, designed with textile artist Unmesh , and celebrate Indian weaving crafts, seamlessly introducing artistry and cultural memory into the modern retail setting. The entire project is a gratifying testament to how deep respect for the past can pave the way for a compelling and innovative future.

FACT FILE:

Design: Treelight Design

Fabric Artist: Unmesh

Photographer: Shamanth