Research Cell

1. Architecture of ‘distance’ or ‘proximity’?

2. ‘0’ waste house

3. Synergizing Craft and Design for a Modern Consumer

1) Architecture of ‘distance’ or ‘proximity’?

Mentored by – Dr. Nandini Kulkarni, Ar. Nivedita Fadnis, Ar. Akshay Revekar

Introduction: In the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic, multiple levels of city life have been affected. The Standard Operating Procedures that are defined by types of zones are implemented in order to regulate the urban life in order to avoid spread of the virus through contact. The new term ‘social distancing’ has become the norm where people maintaining distance is mandatory along with restriction on gathering in public places in large numbers. This has a direct impact on the socio-cultural spaces in a neighbourhood. At the neighbourhood level, it could mean less frequency/ flux of people, thereby creating an atmosphere of ‘emptiness’ in the otherwise proactive urban space. In this light, the study of small neighbourhood spaces can enlighten us about the reality of ‘social distancing’ through spatial mapping and interviews. The students have to conclude on how social distancing norms have affected on proximity of people, thereby impacting the quality of interaction of the neighbourhood.

Aim: To study the impact of social distancing on neighbourhood spaces

Objectives:

i) To understand the regulations of social distancing in and the protocols to be followed in urban neighbourhood

ii) To understand the architectural nature of a neighbourhood (interfaces/ gathering points/ leisure spots) etc w.r.t. the residences through visual documentation of mapping of the same

iii) To analyze the impact of social distancing protocols on activities vis-à-vis the spaces of the neighbourhood through visual documentation and spatial mapping

iv) To conclude on the abovementioned scenario in

Takeaways for the students-

i) Learning visual documentation technique through photography and videography

ii) Learning spatial mapping by on-site observation and visual representation of the same

iii) Introduction to spatial analysis of a neighbourhood

2) ‘0’ waste house

Mentored by – Dr. Purva Mange.

‘0’ waste house was initiated as a summer research internship to sensitize students to the waste management issue basically related to plastic.

But don’t you ever feel guilty of throwing that empty chips packet to bin and making it waste which was not really a waste. It could have been put to an extended use or upcycling or recycling.

Join hands through SUMMER INTERNSHIP and play your role as a designer and a responsible citizen and take your steps towards 0 waste houses.

Aim: To identify and create systems and products for 0 waste houses.

Objectives:

i) To sensitize individuals to the waste generation and its management issue at residential level.

ii) To document the systems at residential level and find loopholes

iii) To identify the verity of stands all over the world

iv) To create a clipping / product / system to address the issue

v) The students did the research and also experimented to reduce the decomposable waste going in the chain of waste collections by converting it to good soil.

They also created Instagram accounts (Pukar Foundation, thegoodscrap_, theminimaldross) to facilitate the upcycling / recycling of the identified things and reduce the waste generation or mange the waste generated in an effective way.

3) Synergizing Craft and Design for a Modern Consumer

Facilitator: – Prof. Simrandeep Saini

Concept: Represent in any form of art / craft "Mixture of two cultures: India and International"

Concept note:

In a western perspective, craft is defined as an integral part of day-to-day human experience, expressed with the skilled manipulation of materials. It has to do with materials, mind and senses all together, many a times with the help of technological tools. It includes tools like, paintbrushes, to potter’s wheel, to computer to 3D printers, all under the tools required and used in crafts, which is in contradiction with the Indian perspective. Where in India, crafts have been emphasized as a product of “hand skills” with values and tradition imparted, in western context even computers and other technological tools are involved in the process of craftsmanship with ease.

This clearly states that, crafts, in India, need to be addressed only in a regional and cultural context. That region can be a local cluster, a state or the country depending upon its relevance, marketability, and cultural background.

Project Goals and Objectives: The aim of the project is to contribute to the revitalization and internationalization of the entire Indian Art, Design and Crafts industries, by discovering new artists, fostering their talents, and in the meantime promoting the Internationalization at Home through the purposeful integration of international and intercultural dimensions into design.

Design Categories: Furniture Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Painting & Drawing, Illustration, Textile Design, Jewellery Making, Jewellery Design, Bag Design, Bag Making.

Expected outcome:

1. A project report on the study conducted during the internship period.

2. A proposal for design development with concept note for each proposed design.

Student Research Project on Craft Design Innovation
The main objective of the project is to sensitize the students about Indian handicrafts, exploring the various possibilities of design intervention techniques to create new and updated products for a modern consumer.

The students were enthusiastic and showed keen interest in understanding the local and international craft techniques during the lockdown period. They explored interesting concepts and design techniques for uplifting the traditional craft through digital drawings and colour renderings.

Some of the interesting project outcomes were:

1. Jewellery design with indo-western fusion of meenakari art and rosemaling.

2. Mandala Block printing for western outfits under textile design.

3. Bamboo lamps for modern homes using innovative weaving techniques.