For most people visiting Fort Kochi, the memories they take home live on their phones or as memories in the form of souvenirs. But a Kochi-based conservation architect wanted visitors to take home something more interactive, like a puzzle that slowly reveals the city’s heritage piece by piece. That idea led to The D.A.K Studio.
The D.A.K Studio, founded by Aishwarya, is a creative project that turns heritage locations into postcard-sized puzzles. Each puzzle is inspired by historic buildings and streets across various locations, giving travellers a tactile way to remember the places they visit.
Aishwarya is trained as a conservation architect and works in heritage preservation. Alongside this, she runs another project called Manjadi, a service that helps families document their personal histories through books and digital archives.
But The D.A.K Studio grew out of a more playful curiosity. “I’ve always enjoyed puzzles,” she says. “I wanted to create a product that would make people curious about heritage in small, engaging ways.”
Turning Fort Kochi’s Heritage Into Puzzles
The first collection from The D.A.K Studio focuses on Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. Each box contains three postcard-sized puzzles based on illustrated heritage sites. In total, the first launch features nine different puzzles across three boxes.
Once the puzzle is assembled, it can be attached to a postcard with a cover included in the box. “You can either keep it as a small artwork or send it to someone as a postcard,” she explains.
The illustrations you see on the first editions were created by a local watercolour artist, Vipin, known on Instagram as Sketchplore. His work often involves sketching architectural spaces on location and translating them into detailed illustrations. As the brand grows, Aishwarya plans to partner with various artists to create artworks for her puzzles.
A Puzzle That Helps You Explore Kochi
What makes The D.A.K Studio puzzles different is that they also work as a guide to the city’s heritage.
Each box includes a printed heritage map of Fort Kochi showing where the illustrated buildings are located. A QR code inside the box leads to a larger digital map and walking routes that help visitors explore the neighbourhood’s historic architecture.
The intention is to create small ways for people to connect with heritage. “I feel that putting together little pieces helps you remember a place better,” she says. “It becomes a tactile way of experiencing the place you visited.”
Testing the Idea During the Biennale
Aishwarya launched The D.A.K Studio puzzles during the Kochi Biennale season, using Fort Kochi as a test location. “I started with Kochi to market test the product,” she says.“Two boxes focus on Fort Kochi, and one focuses on Mattancherry.”
The response has been encouraging. The puzzles have sold through Biennale visitors, local Fort Kochi stores, and online orders through the studio’s website. The product has also started attracting bulk orders. For instance, one wedding order included 75 puzzle boxes purchased as gifts for guests.
What’s Next for The D.A.K Studio
With the first batch almost sold out, Aishwarya is already planning the next phase for The D.A.K Studio. Future puzzle boxes may feature heritage and architecture from other cities across India, focusing on unique buildings and neighbourhoods rather than typical tourist landmarks.
Through puzzles, postcards, and heritage maps, The D.A.K Studio has managed to make experiencing the architecture and history of a city in small, playful ways. Sometimes, all it takes is putting the pieces together.
