First Year B.Arch Settlement Tour to Anjarle
28th Jan to 1st Feb 2016
Anjarle is a village in the Dapoli taluka of Ratnagiri district in the Maharashtra state of India. It is a small port located near the mouth of Jog river. Anjarle is known for producing Alphanso mangoes and cashew nuts, which are available from April through May. The economy of the Anjarle village revolves around Agriculture, Travel and Tourism, Food processing (canning of mango pulp) around Agriculture, Travel and Tourism, Food processing (canning of mango pulp).The vernacular architecture of Konkan region was studied and documented by the students. Understanding of locally available materials and construction techniques was developed and applied in their design studio project. Climate response to the hot and humid coastal conditions was analysed through live examples of shallow planning, deep verandahs and large overhangs.
Third Year B.Arch Settlement Tour to Nashik
28th Nov 2015 to 3rd Dec 2015
This year, the third year urban settlement study tour was carried out in the old city of Nashik. The core area of Nashik is rich in its urban morphology. The presence of holy river Godavari has played important role in the evolution of town. The old city has many marvellous wadas and temples that are built in sync with the river flowing through the centre of the town. The students documented these structures along with streets and old bazaars. The old wooden construction techniques were studies. The impact of culture, occupation and religion of the formation of town was closely analysed. Nashik is a unique mix of administrative and religious town, with the presence of Sarkarwada – the seat of Peshwa. All this rich history that reflects in its urban form and architecture is slowly getting succumbed to modern developments and losing its charm. As a responsible institute in the city being in the field of architecture it is our duty and pride to get these historic buildings documented.
Second Year B.Arch Settlement Tour to Badami
21st Nov 2015 to 28th Nov 2015
The annual design settlement tours are planned for making students understand documentation and measurements of towns and villages. Generally places of historic importance or crafts tradition are chosen. The local buildings at such places exhibit vernacular architectural styles that teach students traditional wisdom of our ancestors. This year, the second year architecture settlement study tour was taken to historic town of Badami. With strong historic base dating back to third century, Badami boasts of being the capital of 5th century Chalukyan dynasty. The students documented the historic settlement of old Badami, understanding the local construction techniques and materials. The architectural planning evolved from culture and responding to climatic conditions was crucial to understand. The concluding design project in the semester incorporated designing a civic centre for up gradation of the town. The project falls in line with central government’s HRIDAY initiative for heritage cities. A history tour for understand temple architecture of south India was also planned. On site history sessions gave the students a better perceptive of temple terminologies than classroom lectures. Students enthusiastically worked on history assignments due to the hands on experience to feel, sketch and photograph historic places. On site history classes were conducted at places like Aihole, Pattadakal, Lakkundi and Hampi to understand temple architecture through different dynasties.
Environmental Perception Jawhar
08th Jan 2015 – 11th Jan 2015
To expose the foundation year Design students to a rural environment which is very different than their daily exposure to urban life to experiential gain insights into their beliefs, faith, traditions, culture, social structure, political awareness, systems like agriculture, education and gain insights into the wisdom and challenges as they interact with people and communities. This also give students an opportunity to experience the life in the village helping them understanding its climate and context. At the College of Architecture, Nashik, the students are taken to a rural/tribal area in Maharashtra for a period of four days which also gives the students an opportunity to experience the designing, planning and implementing the program. The aim is to make the rural exposure into a meaningful learning process where all aspects of simple living are integrated into the student’s experience. Small committees are formed prior to the visit and the students then take the lead to organise the visit. Two sessions are organised for the students before the visit to orient them about the EP tour and what is expected from them. The interactive sessions enable the students to familiarise with the tour and the learning process.