The Architectural Endeavors of Prabhu Sugumar
In the world of architecture, few names resonate as deeply with the ethos of cultural transformation as that of Prabhu Sugumar. With nearly two decades of international practice, spanning continents and cultures, Sugumar has cultivated a reputation for crafting spaces that are not merely physical structures but living, breathing biographies of their contexts. His work is a profound exploration of identity, resilience, and the human condition, where architecture becomes a tool to stitch communities together and articulate their narratives.
As the founder and design director of LAYA Architects, Sugumar’s philosophy intertwines cultural preservation with innovative design, embracing both continuity and change. His projects—an amalgamation of sculptural fluidity, historical dialogue, and social engagement—are testaments to the transformative power of architecture. This article delves into six seminal works that exemplify his ability to enhance communities and redefine cultural landscapes. Under his leadership, LAYA Architects has been actively involved in enhancing community development through projects in India, China, and the USA, while also pursuing conceptual work in Europe.
Turku Museum of History and Future: A Space of Collective Memory
As a competition proposal, the Turku Museum of History and Future (Finland) exemplifies Prabhu Sugumar’s profound understanding of place and identity. Envisioned as an abstraction of Turku’s rich history, the museum’s design distills the city’s layered biographies into a sculptural congregation space. The design takes inspiration from the geographical location (archipelago), the city’s cultural heritage as a market place by the ocean historically, transforming them into architectural gestures that reflect the confluence of history and future aspirations.
Sugumar’s approach eschews the traditional museum typology, favoring instead a dynamic civic landmark where community life converges with cultural reflection. The formal gestures of the design celebrate Turku’s heritage while fostering collective engagement, transforming the museum into a spatial embodiment of the city’s resilience and aspirations
Masjid Ul-Haqq, Baltimore: Urban Regeneration and Resilient Identity
Masjid Ul-Haqq, established in 1954 and located in Baltimore’s historic Upton neighborhood (USA), stands as the city’s oldest continuously used Islamic place of worship. The mosque has been a cornerstone of the community for nearly 70 years, serving as a spiritual and cultural hub.
In collaboration with mosque leadership and community members, LAYA Architects, under the guidance of Prabhu Sugumar, embarked on the Masjid Ul-Haqq 2030 project—a visionary plan to revitalize and expand the historic structure to meet the needs of its growing congregation.
The design introduces a new facade adorned with reflective aluminum panels, chosen for their mirror-like qualities. This choice is deeply symbolic, as the term “mosque” in Arabic signifies a place of prostration and reflection. The mirrored surfaces poetically reflect the surrounding urban landscape, embodying the mosque’s role as both a sanctuary and a mirror to the city’s soul. As the environment changes with time and weather, so too does the mosque’s appearance, fostering a dynamic dialogue between the sacred space and its urban context.
The revitalization plan includes expanding the building to accommodate the fast-growing congregation, adding more capacity for classrooms, prayer, and community functions, and rectifying the existing 19th-century building’s structure and mechanical operations. By 2030, the building’s exterior will be completely transformed, and a new prayer hall will be added to the second floor, topped with four minarets. Inside, an archive, cafeteria, and refurbished restrooms will abound. The area outside the mosque will feature a public amphitheater, art walk, farmers market, heritage exhibit, skate park, paradise garden, and basketball court. There will also be an exhibition area near the main entrance that tells the building’s remarkable history.
This project not only preserves the mosque’s rich history but also revitalizes the surrounding area, infusing it with new energy and purpose. The reflective facade serves as a metaphor for the mosque’s relationship with the city—ever-changing, responsive, and deeply connected to the community it serves.
Adaptive Reuse in Beijing’s Hutongs: History Reimagined
In the Hutongs southwest of Tiananmen Square, Sugumar transformed a Qing Dynasty factory into a vibrant cultural hub. This adaptive reuse project reinterprets the site’s history while providing a vital space for communal activities. By repurposing original architectural elements, Sugumar retained the spirit of the structure, weaving its narrative into the fabric of the present.
The revitalized space now serves as a gathering place for exhibitions, workshops, and community events, becoming a linchpin for local cultural life. This project reflects Sugumar’s commitment to adaptive reuse as a strategy for cultural sustainability, where architecture becomes a medium for honoring the past while engaging the present.
The Diplomatic Cultural Hall in Beijing: A Symbol of Unity and Identity
The Multipurpose space at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretariat in Beijing stands as a powerful symbol of India’s cultural identity. Sugumar’s design celebrates India’s heritage through intricate detailing, such as its patterned ceiling and elegantly crafted columns, which serve as a metaphorical dialogue between tradition and contemporary language.
Beyond its physical form, the hall functions as a cultural embassy, hosting exhibitions, performances, and diplomatic events that represent the nation’s artistic and architectural legacy. Sugumar’s work here underscores his expertise in translating cultural narratives into iconic spaces that foster international collaboration and understanding.
Community Hubs in South India: Spaces for Connection and Resilience
In the heart of South India, Prabhu Sugumar has designed spaces that celebrate community, resilience, and tradition, blending functionality with poetic design. Two remarkable projects—the Ondraha Hub and the Karupanaiyuri Multipurpose Hall—stand as beacons of Sugumar’s architectural philosophy, transforming underutilized spaces into vibrant centers of connection and cultural identity.
The Ondraha Project, originally a chocolate factory and retail space, has been reimagined as a hub for children and families. Addressing the lack of recreational and educational facilities in the area, the design incorporates spaces for play, indoor sports, and learning, fostering a sense of community among local residents. The architecture emphasizes inclusivity, offering bright, open areas for collaboration and joy. Ondraha has become more than just a physical space—it’s a living testament to Sugumar’s belief in architecture as a catalyst for social cohesion.
Meanwhile, the Karupanaiyuri Multipurpose Hall, located on the outskirts of Madurai, reflects a deeper connection to the region’s natural and cultural heritage. Encircled by serene water, the design draws inspiration from traditional South Indian village life, with shaded, airy spaces that evoke the comforting embrace of a banyan tree. Constructed with Tarakita blocks, the hall integrates local materials to maintain environmental harmony. The design creates a sanctuary for town folk, offering a venue for weddings, debates, performances, and communal gatherings. It mirrors the rhythms of village life, becoming a focal point where tradition meets contemporary.
Guggenheim Proposal, Helsinki: A Bridge Across Realms
Another distinguished competition proposal, Sugumar’s vision for the Guggenheim Museum in Helsinki explores architecture’s potential to unify disparate elements of the urban fabric. His design elevates a public space into a sculptural platform that serves as both a landmark and a bridge, connecting the park, the city, and the ocean.
The elevated design not only allows for seamless pedestrian movement over the express highway but also creates a fluid interaction between the museum and the surrounding environment. The space fosters community engagement while celebrating the natural and urban context, embodying Sugumar’s mastery of integrating infrastructure and culture into cohesive, transformative designs.
Public outreach – Community building
Beyond his architectural practice, Prabhu Sugumar and LAYA Architects actively engage in public activities that reinforce their commitment to community building. Whether through direct participation in community service initiatives, delivering public lectures, exhibiting works in renowned forums, or serving as a jury member for esteemed competitions, Sugumar exemplifies the role of the architect as an educator and collaborator. From mentoring young architects to hosting design discussions and participating in global design weeks, his efforts extend beyond the drawing board, fostering a culture of learning, dialogue, and inspiration within the design community and beyond.
