Bandra Collective is sprucing up suburb's streets in new initiative

The new marble and granite signage at Mount Mary Chowk installed by the Bandra Collective. Pic/Datta Kumbhar

In an attempt to reinvigorate Bandra's crisscrossing lanes, a collective of architects has initiated a series of uniquely designed signage. The first of the lot, created by the Bandra Collective, was installed at Mount Mary Chowk, on the first day of the annual feast. Made of granite and marble, the 7'6" ft high and 3'6" ft wide signage bears a distinct design.

"Bandra has a strong sense of place and history and some urban elements tend to be nonchalant or banal. We wanted to reinforce the specificities of the space," says architect Sameep Padora, whose firm is part of this collective.

The design for the signage bears a symbol borrowed from the gates on the iconic Mount Mary church. The stylised A and M on the signage indicates ‘Auspice Maria' or "under the protection of Mary".

Ayaz Basrai, founder of The Busride Design Studio which is spearheading this initiative, says, "The signage bears the wrought iron monogram on the church's gates, which we abstracted to a geometrical shape. There has to be an integration between location, landmark and design,"

The collective, in which six architecture firms came together in May this year, is carrying out initiatives pro bono for the suburb. Further initiatives will include realignment of hawkers on Linking Road.

Karen D'Mello, the municipal corporator for Ward 96 of Ward H West, has welcomed these efforts with willingness. "We have four more signage planned. We have also sought their inputs on our initiatives. While we have our team, it is good to receive the latest, modern inputs from architects such as these," she says.