The question of “Shaping the Future” summarises a lot of the concerns addressed at the show, Think Global, Build Social! – Architectures for a Better World. With the stated aim of exploring the theme of social responsibility in contemporary architecture, the show trains its focus on issues of urbanism, design, architecture and public space, as seen through independent initiatives and cooperative ventures with local partners all over the world.
Presented by the Visual Arts Department of the Goethe-Institut in Munich, and co-hosted by the School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University, the touring show refers to the work of Andres Lepik, who spent years dealing with the subject of architectural social responsibility. In an email exchange, Mridula Shivashankar, an architecture student at Anna University, who’s involved with the show, explains the scope of the project, and also elaborates on innovative design materials such as wooden pallets.
What is the broad agenda for the project in Chennai?
The aim is to bring about awareness regarding the social aspect of architecture, and what it means to conserve social traditions and the architectural identity of a place, be it in the form of construction techniques or local materials used. Sustainability is a catalyst for innovation, and in a place with limited resources, like in the projects displayed, the aspect of ‘need’ results in brilliant ideas for energy efficient and sustainable design.
What are the immediate challenges to consider in India? How do you hope to sow the seeds for a more impactful design movement?
Architecture has long-term and deep-seated effects on people, starting with design and construction processes, and the completed buildings, right through urban planning. In pre-schools or housing, hospitals or churches, even sports centres, factories or public areas: buildings and the spaces between them characterise a society as such, and influence their daily living environment. So, architecture bears a great responsibility towards many areas of society. Through the awareness created, we hope to shift the paradigm of architecture towards a more collaborative, social and sustainable future.
Give us an insight into the range of experiments on display — in terms of levels of ingenuity, use of limited resources, and other constraints.
The exhibition Think Global, Build Social! – Architectures for a Better World explores the theme of social responsibility in contemporary architecture. The Ithuba school Mzamba, in an underprivileged rural area of the eastern cape, is an ongoing design/build project. The construction is executed entirely by volunteers, locals, and students in line with their motto: ‘build together – learn together’, implementing local craftsmanship and construction methods. Having limited access to resources, the schools must function efficiently without the use of grid energy.
Basic principles have been put into practice while maintaining a high degree of designed aesthetic; the corrugated metal roofs control water shed and overhang from the walls shading the various windows and exterior verandas. Concrete masonry units supported on a single slab foundation were used to erect the walls, providing the thermal mass necessary to help keep the interior cool. The walls are then coated in a locally-made earth plaster that seals the envelope and further insulates the structure. slender steel columns and wooden frame system constitute the roof structure – an economic construction strategy that prevents the structure from becoming too imposing. Both schools utilise shared exterior courtyards that can be used as multi-functional assembly areas.
How easy is to replicate these projects at a grass-roots level in India?
Rural India has a very similar context in terms of needs, the user group, and also the cultural context as any of the humanitarian projects we have worked with. So, I believe, replication of ideas is as much possible in India as anywhere else. And, working with local groups always makes us understand the region much better, and lets us be more informed and updated of information of any sort, which in turn makes the design perfect for that community.
Take us though the fundamental steps of thinking about design.
I think a lot of fundamental ideas and requirements are formulated whilst visiting the site. The surrounding context is studied in depth and the design evolves from that. Climate, user group and culture are important factors in the design process.
Tell us about the movement outside of ‘starchitecture’, and how it aims to take on more responsibility towards socially pertinent issues.
Architecture is currently in a state of crisis: On one hand, there is what is known as ‘starchitecture’ – prestigious projects by acclaimed architects that serve to enhance the image of a few wealthy and politically influential clients. While on the other hand, there has been a massive rise in the number of building projects carried out in rapidly expanding megacities across Asia, Latin America and Africa with no architectural supervision whatsoever.
In addition, an increasing number of people all over the world are living in slum conditions. A number of common features can be seen in the various projects and approaches presented here, indicating that beyond the realm of ‘starchitecture’, a very different kind of movement has been emerging within contemporary architecture for quite some time – one that aims to tackle social issues within a global society.
Would you describe common architectural practices in India to be regressive? How would you like to see much of these bleak, soul-less landscapes change?
Regressive might not always be negative. I think going back to our roots and imbibing important principles from historical examples is key in reimagining the architecture of the present. There are quite a few practices in Chennai that do some really socially responsible work, which requires greater personal initiative and creativity to develop low-cost architectural solutions to improve living conditions for the less-privileged.
Tell us about the use of wooden pallets as a design material that emphasises the ecological and economic aspects of reusability.
The use of standardised pallets at the exhibition underlines the ecological and economic aspects of reusability and sustainability. The exhibition design centres on the use of standard European wooden pallets. As exhibition designer Sanaz Hazegh-Nejad points out, these “are found everywhere, can be obtained locally and are also stackable”.
The EUR-pallets perform a variety of functions with regard to displaying the exhibits, which include a small number of scale models and films screened on monitors in addition to the project designs and large-format photographs. The pallets can be stacked horizontally to provide display tables, placed upright as movable partition walls, and can even be used to create seating opportunities for viewers. This simple and lightweight system makes it possible to divide the exhibition space in relation to the five main themes, and at the same time it provides an unobtrusive and consistently neutral design solution.
Think Global, Build Social! is on at the School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University until March 30, 10 am-5.30 pm.
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