Dar & Wagh

By Editorial Staff - 3 March 2025

Designed by Dar & Wagh, the “Lantern in the Park” Community Center in Thane, near Mumbai, was conceived to be a multifunctional space combining social, recreational, and sports activities within a suburban residential setting.

Formerly occupied by an industrial building, the site is located in an area characterized by new developments typical of urban outskirts in developing countries. A majestic banyan tree provides a symbolic and spatial focal point for the center’s design. Conceived to enhance the natural surroundings, the building was positioned along the edges of the site to preserve a hectare of open green space, one of the largest in the area.

Multiple entrances and pedestrian pathways connect the structure with the surrounding residential community, promoting accessibility and creating communal spaces inside and out to encourage interaction and foster a sense of belonging.

Covering a total built area of some 3,530 sq. m, the Community Center provides a huge range of functions tailored to meet the residents’ needs. Inside, the center features a reception area, a café, multipurpose rooms, a cinema, a gym, a nursery, neighborhood stores, a games room, an indoor basketball court, and three swimming pools. Terraces and porches enhance the design, adding more green space and areas for socializing.

The complex’s hallmark feature is the “Lantern”, a central volume wrapped in anodized silver expanded metal mesh. The resulting screen protects against the elements, maintaining a visual connection with the surrounding environment, and providing a symbol and landmark for the community.