The Great Hornbill – By Mansi Aher

In the dominating world of towering modern structures of steel, concrete, and glass, STUDIOARO, led by Ar. Aroty Panyang has created a masterpiece with traditional and natural materials. The Great Hornbill gate, built at the entrance of Arunachal Pradesh’s airport, redefines what ‘modern’ truly means and stands as a testament to sustainable architecture and the rich heritage of India’s northeast.

Crafted entirely from naturally sourced bamboo and cane, The Great Hornbill is less a gate but more a cultural bridge between the world and state.
Bamboo holds great significance in the daily lives of people, as well as in traditional homes, tools, and crafts made from this versatile plant. STUDIOARO’s design for the gate, a public project, brings the age-old material into a contemporary context, making it a symbol of strength, versatility, and sustainability.

The Design: A Bird’s Flight
The Great Hornbill Gate spans an impressive 2,500 square feet and consists of 26 interlocking arches that create the form of the Great Hornbill, stretching across a width of 38 feet and reaching a height of 25 feet.
Designed as a double-headed hornbill, it greets both the arrivals and the departures with equal grandeur. Studied deeply, the structure of the gate also celebrates the majestic flight of the bird. Given that the first aeroplanes were inspired by birds in flight, weaving this natural element into the design was a nod to aviation history.

At the center of the architectural revolution is Aroty Panyang, whose passion and unique approach integrates the use of natural materials.
She has built a supply chain that oversees bamboo cultivation, harvest, treatment, and crafting— working hand-in-hand with local artisans whose skills span generations, ensuring the highest quality. For her, bamboo is not just a building material— it’s a living tradition.

The Lasting Legacy
The Great Hornbill gate not only serves as a cultural significance, but also conveys what’s possible when tradition and modernity come together in harmony, and is a beacon of hope for a more sustainable future.