Mumbai, 12 November, 2026: Led by Ar. Subhashree Jagannathan and Ar. Sriranjani Rajagopal, the Chennai-based design studio transforms the former GRT Convention Centre in T. Nagar into a visually distinctive wedding destination, bringing together statement architecture, Neo-Classical interiors and multiple celebration settings under one roof.
The transformation of the former GRT Convention Centre, T. Nagar, Chennai goes beyond a conventional renovation. The architects have reimagined the property as a series of immersive celebration spaces, where the building’s exterior, grand arrival experience, banquet environments and private suites work together to create a cohesive design narrative. The ambition is to make the venue as memorable for its architecture and interiors as it is for the weddings and celebrations it hosts.
At a time when families are exploring increasingly elaborate wedding formats, from engagement ceremonies and pre-wedding gatherings to traditional rituals and grand receptions, venues must accommodate different scales of celebration while offering a strong visual identity. Uncut Design Lab has responded by treating architecture as an integral part of the hospitality experience, creating spaces that can become part of the wedding story and, in turn, give the destination a recognisable presence in Chennai’s competitive celebrations market.
The most striking expression of this vision is the building’s new façade. The existing structure has been enveloped in a sculptural, gold-toned metal skin with an organic, parametric form. Lotus-inspired perforations introduce an Indian cultural reference into its contemporary architectural language, creating a distinctive exterior that stands apart from the surrounding urban fabric of T. Nagar. The restrained grey-and-gold treatment of the adjoining areas further accentuates the sculptural quality of the façade, giving the property a strong visual identity even before guests enter the building.
For the architects, the façade establishes the first chapter of the experience: a recognisable architectural landmark that signals the venue’s transformation and sets expectations for what lies within. In a sector where visual appeal increasingly influences venue discovery, social sharing and word-of-mouth recommendations, such a distinctive architectural gesture can become an important part of a destination’s identity.
Inside, the design shifts towards Neo-Classical elegance, drawing on French-inspired detailing, rich materials and decorative craftsmanship. Across multiple levels, the studio has developed individual celebration environments rather than repeating a single banquet-hall aesthetic. Each space has its own palette, architectural character and atmosphere, allowing the venue to accommodate different occasions while maintaining an overarching sense of grandeur.
The entrance lobby introduces this language through patterned marble and semi-precious stone inlay flooring, fluted marble walls, decorative gold mouldings and statement chandeliers. The staircase landings extend the narrative through mosaic artworks depicting the love story of a king and queen, transforming transitional spaces into visual moments within the larger guest journey. The approach reflects an understanding that a wedding venue is experienced through a sequence of arrivals, pauses, photographs and gatherings, rather than through the banquet hall alone.
The basement-level The Regal Dining adopts a more restrained interpretation of classical elegance, combining marble inlay flooring, muted beige surfaces and French-inspired detailing. On the ground floor, The Grand Imperial establishes a more monumental setting, with a double-height coffered ceiling, fluted Doric-style columns, ornate arches, metal grillwork, gold accents and crystal chandeliers. The architectural scale and layered detailing lend the space a ceremonial quality suited to large wedding celebrations and receptions.
The first floor introduces a more personal dimension through The Lord & Lady Suites, conceived as dedicated spaces for the bride and groom. Rather than treating the suites as identical functional rooms, the architects have given each a distinct personality. The groom’s suite combines charcoal tones, rich wood, leather and muted metallic finishes, while the bride’s suite takes a softer direction through blush and ivory hues, pastel accents, curved forms, velvet and flowing drapery. This contrast brings individual expression into the design while extending the wedding experience beyond the main celebration areas.
On the second floor, The Sovereign uses a green-and-gold palette, with gilded niches, fluted marble columns, classical cornices and floral chandeliers creating a richly layered interior. At the third level, The Coronation adopts a softer beige-and-gold scheme, complemented by green marble inlay flooring, French-inspired detailing and a central dome that serves as the architectural focal point. Together, these spaces provide a range of visual settings for celebrations, each with the potential to establish its own atmosphere and photographic identity.
What distinguishes the project is the way the architects have connected these individual interiors to a larger proposition for the wedding industry. The design recognises that contemporary wedding celebrations are not confined to a single event or a single room. Families may require intimate spaces for private preparations, dedicated settings for close-knit gatherings and larger environments for elaborate ceremonies and receptions. By developing different spatial experiences within one property, Uncut Design Lab has created a venue that can respond to this variety without compromising on its overall design identity.
The location adds another dimension to the proposition. Situated in T. Nagar, one of Chennai’s established commercial and residential districts, Great Ceremonies by GRT brings a destination-style visual experience into the heart of the city. Rather than relying on a resort setting outside Chennai, the property uses architecture and interiors to create a sense of occasion within an accessible urban location.
For the wedding industry, the transformation points to a broader opportunity for established hospitality properties: design can help reposition existing infrastructure, create a new market identity and make a venue more competitive in a crowded celebrations landscape. A distinctive façade can establish recognition; differentiated interiors can offer families greater choice; and a carefully choreographed guest experience can turn the venue itself into a talking point.
With Great Ceremonies by GRT, Uncut Design Lab has sought to bring these elements together in a single architectural and interior design intervention. The project moves beyond the idea of a convention centre as a collection of functional halls, presenting it instead as a destination where the architecture becomes part of the celebration. In doing so, the studio has given the property a new identity and positioned design at the centre of its appeal to Chennai’s evolving wedding market.
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
