Gufa

Gufa, meaning cave in Gujarati, is a cave-like contemporary art space in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It was conceived in the early 1990s and designed by Indian architect Balkrishna Doshi in collaboration with Indian-British sculptor Anish Kapoor. The project was developed to serve as a setting for Kapoor’s sculptural works and to explore the relationship between sculpture and architectural space.

Construction and location: The structure was completed in 1995 and is situated near the Sanskar Kendra museum complex in central Ahmedabad. The building presents a stark exterior that gives way to a dramatic, cave-like interior once entered.

Design and features: The interior is characterized by smooth, curving concrete walls that create a dark, enveloping atmosphere. A circular opening in the roof functions as a skylight, allowing natural light to enter and project a bright ring onto the floor, thereby altering perception as light moves through the space. The overall experience emphasizes phenomenology, with architecture acting as a vessel for Kapoor’s works rather than a neutral backdrop.

Significance: Gufa is regarded as a landmark example of late 20th-century Indian modernism and a notable collaboration between Doshi and Kapoor. It has influenced discussions on the integration of sculpture and architectural space in gallery design and remains an important reference in Indian contemporary art and architecture.