A new multidisciplinary retreat titled 11°N (11 Degree North) will bring together practitioners and thinkers from architecture, design, art, craft, film, music, food and technology in Kerala from December 16 to 20, 2026. Conceived as an initiative of the MATRA Design Foundation, the gathering is built around the theme “The Space Between the Noise”and seeks to create opportunities for dialogue, reflection and exchange across creative disciplines. The inaugural edition was previewed on September 16 at The Circle at IFBE in Mumbai’s Ballard Estate.
Preview Event in Mumbai
The preview gathering introduced the concept behind 11°N and brought together a diverse group of architects, artists, filmmakers, designers and cultural practitioners. Attendees included Bose Krishnamachari, Brinda Somaya, Nandita Das, Sanjay Puri, Suresh Eriyath, Dhruvi Acharya, Ravneet Gill, Randolph Correia and several others from across the creative ecosystem.
The event took place at IFBE (Ice Factory Ballard Estate), a cultural hub in Mumbai housed within a restored 140-year-old industrial building. The venue was transformed from the historic Ambico Ice Factory into a multidisciplinary space for exhibitions, performances and creative exchange.
The Theme: “The Space Between the Noise”
At the centre of the retreat is the idea of slowing down and creating room for attention amid increasingly fast-paced professional and personal lives. Rather than following a tightly packed conference model, 11°N is designed around informal encounters, observation and conversations that emerge organically.
According to the organisers, the emphasis is on creating conditions where participants can engage with unfamiliar perspectives and disciplines without the pressure of structured schedules. The approach reflects a growing interest within cultural and design communities in creating more immersive and reflective formats for learning and collaboration.
Programme Across Disciplines
The retreat will bring together multiple forms of creative practice through a mix of formal and informal experiences.
Highlights of the programme:
- Talks and intimate dialogues
- Art and design installations
- Hands-on making sessions
- Culinary experiences
- Design market and showcases
- Music gatherings
- Film screenings and discussions
The organisers say the intention is not to present disciplines separately but to allow participants to encounter connections between them. Designers, filmmakers, artisans, chefs and technologists will share the same environment, encouraging cross-disciplinary exchange.
Kerala as an Active Part of the Experience
The choice of Kerala is central to the concept of 11°N. Organisers describe the state’s landscape, architecture, food traditions and craft heritage as integral to the retreat rather than simply a backdrop.
Participants will be encouraged to engage with the local context through exploration, food experiences and interactions that connect creative practice with place. The setting is expected to play a significant role in shaping discussions and experiences throughout the gathering.
A Fluid Daily Rhythm
Unlike conventional conferences, the retreat has been designed with flexibility in mind.
Planned experiences include:
- Morning yoga sessions
- Bird walks and nature explorations
- Talks and exchanges
- Making and craft activities
- Shared meals
- Music sessions
- Informal games and gatherings
- Evening conversations around a fire
Participants will be free to move through activities at their own pace, allowing space for unexpected conversations and discoveries.
MATRA Design Foundation’s Vision
The retreat is presented by the MATRA Design Foundation, which describes design as a cultural practice that extends beyond professional categories into everyday life. The organisation’s broader initiatives focus on bringing together design, craft, technology, food and community through immersive cultural experiences.
Tony Joseph, Principal at Stapati, said the intention behind 11°N is to create a setting where people can spend meaningful time with ideas, places and one another without the pressure of constant activity.
Around 400–500 invited participants are expected to form the community at the heart of the inaugural edition. The organisers believe that bringing together people from different fields and stages of practice may create opportunities for new collaborations and conversations that would not normally occur within discipline-specific events.
Looking Ahead
As interest grows in interdisciplinary cultural gatherings, 11°N proposes a format that prioritises reflection, place and human connection. By combining creative dialogue with Kerala’s cultural and natural environment, the retreat aims to create a setting where ideas can develop through shared experiences rather than formal presentations alone. For participants, the event offers an opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives while exploring how different creative practices intersect within a broader cultural landscape.
