The main objective of Design Studio II was to foster a holistic understanding of the socio-cultural, geographic, climatic, topographic, and economic factors that shaped the built environment in urban or rural settlements. The focus was on urban areas that had evolved organically over time, much like many cities. Markets have historically played a crucial role in shaping cities, serving as the core of development for thriving urban centers. They met the demands of growing populations and became vital hubs sustaining urban life. Many well-established cities could trace their growth back to prosperous markets that grew throughout their history. These markets often developed organically in response to socio-political and cultural needs, gradually becoming integrated into the urban fabric.

In this context, Kalpathy Agraharam, once a traditional Brahmin settlement, was the most prominent market in Palakkad. Its importance today remains as significant as in its historical setting. Over time, the market underwent various changes, which shaped its current form. However, the proposal to relocate Kalpathy Agraharam to a more distant location, away from the city center, initially appeared to impose a system that disregarded long-standing cultural traditions and ways of life. The studio set out to study, analyze, and assimilate the historical, socio-cultural, political, and other factors that contributed to the development of the market. This analysis helped in understanding the underlying sentiments of the relocation proposal, assessing its feasibility, and recommending either reinforcements for the proposal or alternative solutions that seemed more appropriate