Witness a museum-like experience at Soulstory Kolkata by Abin Design Studio

An art gallery? A museum? This is actually a retail store. A futuristic, almost mystical reflection of India’s heritage, Soulstory’s bold new venture in Kolkata exhibits a repository of world-class Italian furniture. Second in line after the Mumbai store, founders Narendra Bachhawat and Mukesh Toshniwal brought in Abin Chaudhuri, principal at Abin Design Studio to […]

24 Feb 2025

Navisha Sogani

An art gallery? A museum? This is actually a retail store.

A futuristic, almost mystical reflection of India’s heritage, Soulstory’s bold new venture in Kolkata exhibits a repository of world-class Italian furniture. Second in line after the Mumbai store, founders Narendra Bachhawat and Mukesh Toshniwal brought in Abin Chaudhuri, principal at Abin Design Studio to craft a sculptural 16,000 sq ft space that is rooted in traditional Indian artistry.

Drawing inspiration from Fatehpur Sikri and temple complexes, the space marks a departure from a typical decor store and interprets Indian cultural elements through abstraction. The result? An otherworldly experience, which is ornate yet minimalist.

An all-white canvas offers undivided attention to the sculptural and colourful products displayed in the space; Photography by Ashish Sahi

An immersive dream

“The project was conceived during a visit to Milan, where the vision of merging Italian craftsmanship with India’s rich heritage took shape,” shares Abin, who conceptualised the design through initial sketches exploring concepts around the rich ornamental language prevalent in traditional temple stonework and mouldings. Resulting in a sculptural abstraction of the same, walls are enveloped in intricate Plaster of Paris (POP) mouldings, centred around the interplay between intricate textures and clean lines, offering an exquisite and immersive experience throughout the space.

Owing to a ‘blank canvas’ approach, the design uniquely conquers the challenge to add character into the design, without competing for attention. An all-white canvas, from floor to ceiling, maintains a subtle ambience, despite the density of moulding ornamentation.

The Pratibimb is from Hands&Minds and the Pack from Edra; Photography by Ashish Sahi

A harmonious curation

Every corner of the showroom has been designed with intention, offering a place where culture, history, and design meet in perfect harmony. The continuous linearity of the wall mouldings and the sculptural placement of products on a clear, white floor guides the flow of movement, while the soft cove lighting maintains a focus on the display.

Every product is curated to showcase its own identity while the overall design language ensures a smooth and harmonious transition between spaces. Moreover, the design embraces sustainability with its use of natural materials and minimalist aesthetic, minimising excess and focusing on the beauty of craftsmanship.

The fluidity offered by continuous linear and intricate mouldings on walls results in a unique, gallery-like, uninterrupted experience through the space; Photography by Ashish Sahi

Artfully integrating modern aesthetics while honouring Indian architectural and cultural heritage, the space intends to become a place where visitors can enjoy a moment of calm and contemplation. Blurring the boundaries between art and commerce, it offers an experience that is as much about design as it is about the shopping experience.

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