Driven by Design

Look, let’s be honest – design is subjective. It always has been. But there is a key difference between good design and great design, and that lies at the intersection where form meets function. Striking that perfect balance between the two can be a tricky path to tread, but when you get it right, wonderful things happen. And that fact is perfectly borne out in the radical new Kia Syros. This is more than just a car; it’s a statement on wheels. The clean lines, funky, futuristic elements, and tall, confident stance all set the tone for the experience, which then gets elevated to a whole new level once you step inside.

To do justice to this striking design, I had to take the car to a destination that was equally fitting. So I found myself on course to the Smritivan Earthquake Museum in Western Gujarat. Back in January 2001, Bhuj experienced one of the worst earthquakes to ever rock our nation. And in the aftermath of this massive destruction, the people of Gujarat rose together to rebuild the city into the cultural hub it is today. And then, in 2022, Bhuj opened the doors to the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial & Museum, an ode to the resilience of the human spirit. A masterpiece of design thoughtfully carved into the hillside on the outskirts of the city, this is such a compelling marvel of architecture that it was awarded the prestigious Prix Versailles Award for Architecture and Design in 2024.

On the long, straight highways of Gujarat, the Syros’ punchy 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine smoothly purred away under the hood as I made my way West, with the slick-shifting DCT gearbox seemingly always anticipating the future and selecting the perfect ratio. And with the road infrastructure as modern as the car itself, I could deploy the cutting-edge Level 2 ADAS features as well, relaxing in the knowledge that they would keep me safe during my blissful cruise. That left me to soak in the beauty of the massive 30-inch Trinity Panoramic Display Panel I was faced with and the multitude of features packed within. Kia has gone the extra mile with the Syros, offering over-the-air updates for 16 onboard controllers, along with Kia Connect Diagnostics that let you remotely diagnose and resolve any issues directly with their service team.

Cocooned in comfort by the plush and sophisticated cabin, the miles rolled by, and before I knew it, I was driving through the gates of the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial. Spread across 470 acres, this memorial park is a tribute to resilience, with over 5 lakh trees planted in memory of those lost. It’s a space designed to blend into the landscape, featuring check dams, sunset points, and an 8-kilometre pathway that guides visitors through reflection and renewal. At its heart lies the museum comprising seven themed blocks spanning 11,500 square metres, each telling a different part of the story: Rebirth, Rediscover, Restore, Rebuild, Rethink, Relive, and Renew.

As you walk through these galleries, you’re taken on a journey through the history of this region, learning what makes it special. More than the disaster itself, though, this museum shines a spotlight on the rebirth, rethinking and restructuring after. In much the same way that the Syros is rethinking the SUV space, breaking the mould of what an SUV can be. It’s certainly shaking things up in this space, and speaking of shaking things up, Smritivan is also home to the world’s largest earthquake simulator – an experience that was powerful and unnerving. This is a space that doesn’t just showcase history – it makes you experience it, much like the best designs in the world. That’s what great design does. It doesn’t just exist – it interacts. Just like the Syros, where every line, every feature, every detail isn’t just for the sake of aesthetics but for a larger calling of an immersive experience.

A car and a museum. Two completely different things yet both driven by the same philosophy – form meeting function. Smritivan tells a story through space. The Syros tells a story through motion. And together, they prove that when great design is done right, it doesn’t just marry form and function, it moves you from within.