She Block Breastfeeding Centers For Mothers On The Move / Aangan Collaborative LLP

Architects: Aangan Collaborative LLP
Area: 800 ft²
Year: 2024
Photography: Neesarfotografy – Mr. Tarun Hirapara; Vreidarch Studio – Ar. Shivam Vasava
Principal Architects: Ar. Vishal Shah, Ar. Vishal Desai
Project Coordinator: Ar. Prakruti Desai
Project Engineer: Er. Harry Icecreamwala
Project Team: Ar. Aesha Shah
Landscape: Aangan Collaborative LLP
Furniture and Accessories Design: Aangan Collaborative LLP
Structural Engineering: S & V Engineers, Surat
Contractor: Parikshit Lathia, Samarthya Group
City/Location: Surat
Country: India

The She Block Breastfeeding Centers in Surat, designed by Aangan Collaborative LLP, redefine civic infrastructure through empathy and inclusivity. Created as a corporate social responsibility initiative for the Surat Municipal Corporation, the project introduces a network of small, human-centered pavilions that offer safety, dignity, and comfort to breastfeeding mothers in transit. Each 800-square-foot center is shaped as a curving, naturally lit courtyard that balances privacy with openness. The four blocks, distributed across key urban zones, use warm brick tones, accessible amenities, and functional detailing to establish a unified yet site-responsive identity. Equipped with seating, diaper-changing platforms, and toddler play areas, the design transforms a neglected civic necessity into an architectural statement. More than a facility, She Block is a call for gender-sensitive urbanism—placing care at the core of public space design in India.

She block breastfeeding centers for mothers on the move / aangan collaborative llp

In Surat’s dense and fast-paced urban landscape, the She Block Breastfeeding Centers emerge as tranquil interventions grounded in empathy. Conceived by Aangan Collaborative LLP, the project challenges conventional ideas of what public infrastructure can be. It is not a shelter or a utility kiosk, but a civic sanctuary that recognizes the emotional and physical realities of motherhood in public life.

The design’s foundation lies in its gentle formal language. Each center adopts a curvilinear configuration, creating a nurturing spatial experience that contrasts with the rigid geometries typical of civic buildings. Daylight is carefully modulated to generate warmth and calm, while the soft brick palette offers a visual continuity with Surat’s material culture. The absence of sharp corners or intimidating edges contributes to a sense of openness and trust, essential for spaces centered on caregiving.

Every architectural element within She Block serves a human purpose. The interiors include ergonomic seating designed to support prolonged nursing, electrical outlets for breast pumps, and discreetly partitioned zones that provide privacy without isolation. The inclusion of child-friendly toilets and diaper-changing areas responds directly to the logistical challenges faced by mothers on the move. A small play court for toddlers ensures that the space accommodates the full spectrum of caregiving needs within one environment.

Aangan Collaborative LLP has ensured that the architecture remains rooted in accessibility. The four centers are strategically located within Surat’s high-footfall zones—market areas, transit hubs, and civic nodes—where women from diverse backgrounds intersect with the city’s daily rhythms. This urban distribution transforms She Block into a network rather than a singular design, allowing it to function as a replicable typology for gender-responsive public amenities.

Materiality plays a key role in tying together this distributed network. Each center features a distinct hue of brick, from deep terracotta to golden ochre, celebrating craftsmanship and individuality while reinforcing collective identity. These tactile materials express permanence and familiarity, countering the transient or makeshift nature often associated with public conveniences. The result is a civic structure that feels both grounded and generous.

The architects approached the project with a deliberate resistance to institutional visual cues. The centers avoid the appearance of a clinic or a public toilet, instead asserting a dignified civic character that celebrates rather than conceals maternal care. Through form, color, and proportion, She Block communicates belonging and respect—qualities rarely afforded to spaces for caregiving in public contexts.

At a broader scale, She Block positions itself as an argument for urban justice. It highlights the gap between how cities are designed and how women actually experience them, especially those navigating motherhood alongside work, travel, or daily errands. By situating caregiving within the vocabulary of urban design, Aangan Collaborative LLP extends the conversation about inclusivity beyond accessibility to encompass emotional and social well-being.

Ultimately, the She Block Breastfeeding Centers articulate a vision where care becomes a public responsibility rather than a private compromise. They prove that architecture, when guided by empathy, can reshape civic narratives and redefine what constitutes essential infrastructure. Through modest scale and meaningful intent, the project reclaims public space for mothers, setting a precedent for cities that aspire to be truly inclusive.