Within a 60 sqm courtyard in New Delhi, MOFA Studio crafted Fonte D’Amore as a vertically unfolding stone facade that transforms memory into a habitable form. Anchored by a sculptural fountain reminiscent of the Trevi Fountain, the base adopts Renaissance symmetry with tall arches framing the ground plane. As the elevation rises across five storeys, these arches gradually morph into catenary curves inspired by Antoni Gaudi, dissolving rigid geometry into a fluid, cloudlike dome perforated by four oculi.
The facade is engineered as a lightweight parametric steel gridshell, envisioned as a structural leaf vein that supports a carved stone skin. Straightened steel members optimise fabrication and minimise waste, while 25+ design iterations fine-tune proportion, daylight, shade, privacy, and views.
Rapid 3D-printed prototypes tested acoustics, airflow, water movement, and ergonomics before construction. Full-scale clay models were scanned and digitally refined, with CNC-milled formwork ensuring precision while preserving a handcrafted character. The final stone elements were hand-carved by Delhi artisan Shersingh.
The envelope integrates passive cooling: oculi act as wind catchers, the fountain enables evaporative cooling, and tiered planters help mitigate heat gain.
AR MANISHGULATI
MOFA Studio, New Delhi
Manish Gulati founded MOFA Studio in 2007 as one of India’s earliest parametric and computational design practices. Based in New Delhi, the studio has completed over 250 projects across institutional, hospitality, sports and residential sectors, earning over 75 national and international awards. Gulati advocates fluid, adaptive and human-centric architecture, articulated through a five-dimensional framework, comprising spatial, ecological, social, temporal and systemic elements. A pioneer in AI-led design in India, he integrates computation as a creative catalyst, advancing experimental yet responsible architecture rooted in local wisdom and global innovation.
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Name: Fonte D’Amore
Typology: Residential
Location: New Delhi
Completion Year: 2024
Built Up Area: 650 sqft
Studio: MOFA Studio
Principal Designer: Manish Gulati
Design Team: Atreya Saha, Devendra Singh and Tanishq Roy
Cladding: Flexstone
Fountain: Mangwal Pools and Spa
Flooring: Flexstone
Lighting Designer: URI Studio
Arts/ Artefacts: Shersingh
Photographs: Ekansh Goel