Designer's Insight - Yatin Pandya.pmd - Insiteindia.in
Designer's Insight - Yatin Pandya.pmd - Insiteindia.in
Designer's Insight - Yatin Pandya.pmd - Insiteindia.in
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<strong>Yat<strong>in</strong></strong> <strong>Pandya</strong>, author, activist, academician, researcher and a practis<strong>in</strong>g architect, has been<br />
<strong>in</strong>volved with city plann<strong>in</strong>g, urban design, mass hous<strong>in</strong>g, architecture, <strong>in</strong>terior design, product<br />
design as well as conservation projects for decades. His firm, Footpr<strong>in</strong>ts E.A.R.T.H.<br />
(Environment Architecture Research Technology Hous<strong>in</strong>g), is a professional service<br />
organisation <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> environmental studies, architectural design, <strong>in</strong>digenous research,<br />
alternative technology and affordable hous<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
<strong>Pandya</strong>, who has won over 25 national and <strong>in</strong>ternational awards, has written over 200<br />
articles <strong>in</strong> national and <strong>in</strong>ternational journals. Several books authored by him on architecture<br />
have been published <strong>in</strong>ternationally. He has also been <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> prepar<strong>in</strong>g over 30 video<br />
documentaries on architecture. The key pr<strong>in</strong>ciples of his work are environmental<br />
susta<strong>in</strong>ability, socio-cultural appropriateness, timeless aesthetics and economic affordability.<br />
In this piece penned for Insite, the architect who wears many hats speaks about the India<br />
First Foundation (IFF) school campus <strong>in</strong> Karjat, where an effort has been made to ensure<br />
that the built environment and the many <strong>in</strong>stallations contribute to students’ learn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
experience.<br />
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34<br />
Photos courtesy: Footpr<strong>in</strong>ts E.A.R.T.H.<br />
Amphitheatre transformed <strong>in</strong>to an open book on space sciences by turn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
spatial elements like floor, amphitheatre steps, walls, light<strong>in</strong>g elements and<br />
landscap<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to thematic spatial <strong>in</strong>stallations
To educate, is to develop mentally,<br />
morally and aesthetically. Holistic<br />
learn<strong>in</strong>g therefore is about<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation, exposure, analysis,<br />
understand<strong>in</strong>g and explorations. It is<br />
about learn<strong>in</strong>g more than teach<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
This calls for self-<strong>in</strong>dulgence and<br />
<strong>in</strong>itiatives from the students. How can<br />
the built environment contribute to<br />
the same<br />
At India First Foundation (IFF) school<br />
campus <strong>in</strong> Karjat, an attempt has<br />
been made to overlay spatial<br />
<strong>in</strong>stallations on to the basic physical<br />
envelope <strong>in</strong> order to <strong>in</strong>culcate the<br />
habit of <strong>in</strong>quiry, to raise the level of<br />
exposure and to make education<br />
<strong>in</strong>teractive. At IFF, the court, the<br />
corridors and the classes are<br />
animated with diverse <strong>in</strong>stallations <strong>in</strong><br />
consonance with their space<br />
conditions, designated functions and<br />
the desired format of conduct. These<br />
multimedia 3D display collages consist<br />
of curriculum-related <strong>in</strong>formation <strong>in</strong><br />
an <strong>in</strong>teractive and exploratory<br />
format. Reta<strong>in</strong>ed as teach<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
learn<strong>in</strong>g tools with<strong>in</strong> the framework<br />
of the course curriculum, they<br />
extend beyond the text book with<br />
their dynamic formats for higher<br />
<strong>in</strong>tensity of <strong>in</strong>teractivity <strong>in</strong> order to<br />
susta<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>terest, ease<br />
comprehension and <strong>in</strong>spire<br />
explorations and self-<strong>in</strong>dulgence.<br />
These learn<strong>in</strong>g tools not only help<br />
imbibe understand<strong>in</strong>g of subject<br />
matter first hand, but also go beyond<br />
to <strong>in</strong>culcate lateral th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Installations such as these have<br />
morphed spaces <strong>in</strong>to places with<br />
vitality and voids <strong>in</strong>to virtual labs with<br />
virility. For example an open-to-air<br />
amphitheatre is transformed <strong>in</strong>to an<br />
open book on space sciences by<br />
turn<strong>in</strong>g spatial elements such as the<br />
floor, amphitheatre steps, walls,<br />
light<strong>in</strong>g elements and landscap<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to<br />
thematic spatial <strong>in</strong>stallations. The<br />
centre of the circular amphitheatre<br />
is punctuated with a sundial. The<br />
floor landscape is def<strong>in</strong>ed by 12<br />
radiat<strong>in</strong>g stone petals alternated by<br />
the soft grass cover. Each stone petal<br />
has hand carved, laser burnt and<br />
<strong>in</strong>laid stone and steel elements<br />
represent<strong>in</strong>g twelve ‘Rashis’ with<br />
accurate depiction of constellation<br />
of stars as per the zodiac calendar.<br />
Reference to three seasons is made<br />
<strong>in</strong> three amphitheatre steps with<br />
natural stone render<strong>in</strong>g each <strong>in</strong> red,<br />
green and black, depict<strong>in</strong>g summer,<br />
monsoon and w<strong>in</strong>ter respectively.<br />
The seasons are also pronounced by<br />
plant<strong>in</strong>g trees along the outer<br />
periphery of the wall – alternately<br />
bloom<strong>in</strong>g and fruit<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> respective<br />
seasons. The foliage of these large<br />
trees creates a natural green<br />
backdrop to the amphitheatre,<br />
muffl<strong>in</strong>g unwanted sounds. Shrubbery<br />
consists of fragrant plants for their<br />
l<strong>in</strong>ger<strong>in</strong>g aroma at nights, when the<br />
amphitheatre is <strong>in</strong> use.<br />
Light<strong>in</strong>g elements are designed <strong>in</strong><br />
steel and glass with the scientific, at<br />
glance, <strong>in</strong>formation on n<strong>in</strong>e planets<br />
and Sun and Moon etched and<br />
digitally pr<strong>in</strong>ted. The cultural<br />
geography of the world is depicted<br />
by the back-lit digitally pr<strong>in</strong>ted glazed<br />
parapet, depict<strong>in</strong>g wonders of the<br />
ancient, medieval and modern world<br />
along with flags of all the countries<br />
of the world. Digital craft is<br />
juxtaposed with vernacular art. A 200-<br />
feet-long opaque parapet wall with a<br />
terracotta backdrop and white<br />
designer’s <strong>in</strong>sight<br />
D<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g hall animated with <strong>in</strong>stallations of<br />
world atlas show<strong>in</strong>g the spice route with<br />
live samples and India map overlaid with<br />
cuis<strong>in</strong>es of India<br />
Water body <strong>in</strong> front of the stage depict<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the world with founta<strong>in</strong>s depict<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ents<br />
yat<strong>in</strong> pandya<br />
Metal fabricated ‘jali’ on the façade, render<strong>in</strong>g play of shadows <strong>in</strong>side<br />
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An exhibition hall (Global village), with a long wall of a collage of personalities, culture of the world, and <strong>in</strong>dependent tree like<br />
abstract <strong>in</strong>stallation hold<strong>in</strong>g 192 panels of each country with well researched data<br />
render<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>in</strong> local Warli pa<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g<br />
tradition, depicts the evolution of<br />
world from ‘Hiranyagarbh’ to Aryan<br />
village to epics like Ramayan and<br />
Mahabharat, <strong>in</strong>vasions, colonisation<br />
as well as contemporary world icons.<br />
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The water body <strong>in</strong> front of the stage<br />
portrays the world atlas with five<br />
founta<strong>in</strong>s represent<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ents. Obelisks on the sides of<br />
the stage designed as tall pyramidshaped<br />
light features are a modern<br />
day abstractions of the ‘Dipstambh’<br />
of temple complexes <strong>in</strong> Maharashtra<br />
region. These pyramidical<br />
<strong>in</strong>stallations, represent<strong>in</strong>g the Sun<br />
and Moon, have laser carved phases<br />
of solar eclipse and crescents of<br />
moon respectively. The panel above<br />
the proscenium portal of the stage<br />
depicts the evolution of life forms<br />
rang<strong>in</strong>g from fish, amphibian and<br />
reptiles to d<strong>in</strong>osaurs, mammals and<br />
human be<strong>in</strong>g. Thus, a total microcosm<br />
with<strong>in</strong> the cosmos.<br />
Likewise other open, semi-covered<br />
and enclosed spaces of the campus<br />
have also been animated with<br />
educational <strong>in</strong>stallations. For example<br />
the d<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g hall was animated with<br />
<strong>in</strong>stallations of the spice route with<br />
live samples of 51 spices from across<br />
the world as well as representation<br />
of navigation vessels of the time.<br />
D<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g hall animated with <strong>in</strong>stallations of world atlas show<strong>in</strong>g the spice route with live<br />
samples and India map overlaid with cuis<strong>in</strong>es of India<br />
Another pat<strong>in</strong>a overlaid is of cuis<strong>in</strong>es<br />
of India <strong>in</strong> the form of wall <strong>in</strong>stallations<br />
and LED light hang<strong>in</strong>gs. They not only<br />
depict over 20 cuis<strong>in</strong>es of India but<br />
also <strong>in</strong>form about their <strong>in</strong>gredients,<br />
calorie as well as nutritional values.<br />
School corridors have live <strong>in</strong>stallations<br />
of games and puzzles, provid<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation as well as enterta<strong>in</strong>ment.<br />
It rema<strong>in</strong>s aesthetic as well as<br />
educative, and above all <strong>in</strong>teractive.<br />
Some permanent displays are<br />
mounted <strong>in</strong> a few halls, connect<strong>in</strong>g<br />
students to the rest of the world. An<br />
exhibition hall called Global Village<br />
has 192 well-researched panels, one<br />
on a country, carry<strong>in</strong>g at-a-glance<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation about the nation.<br />
Information such as each country’s<br />
national flag, national symbols,<br />
demography, landscape, currency,<br />
national features, people, flora,<br />
fauna, architecture, sports etc. is<br />
provided. These panels are hung like<br />
droop<strong>in</strong>g foliage, on a free-stand<strong>in</strong>g<br />
metal stand, much as a treelike<br />
abstract <strong>in</strong>stallation. The ceil<strong>in</strong>g is<br />
matt black with l<strong>in</strong>ear slits of LED<br />
light<strong>in</strong>g illum<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g the whole space<br />
from the ceil<strong>in</strong>g. These light<strong>in</strong>g slits<br />
are the datel<strong>in</strong>es (hour l<strong>in</strong>es) of the
designer’s <strong>in</strong>sight<br />
yat<strong>in</strong> pandya<br />
An exhibition hall (Global village), with a long wall of a collage of personalities, culture of the world, and <strong>in</strong>dependent tree like<br />
abstract <strong>in</strong>stallation hold<strong>in</strong>g 192 panels of each country with well researched data<br />
world atlas, correspond<strong>in</strong>g to GMT.<br />
Thus they not only become light<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and visual features but also<br />
<strong>in</strong>formative ones. Glossy floor<strong>in</strong>g<br />
reflects this light<strong>in</strong>g and enhances its<br />
spread. The 60-feet-long wall creates<br />
the backdrop of faces and attire of<br />
people from round the world,<br />
depict<strong>in</strong>g the diversity of culture and<br />
places. Three-dimensional self-lit<br />
cubical protrusions from this plane<br />
are the photos and <strong>in</strong>formation on<br />
100 personalities of the world that<br />
have left their mark on humanity.<br />
These are people who will serve as<br />
role models. Touch-screen kiosks and<br />
remote switches make their<br />
operations <strong>in</strong>teractive as well.<br />
Interactive panels, consist<strong>in</strong>g of models, puzzles, k<strong>in</strong>etic sculptures, digital displays and<br />
do it yourself experiments based on the curriculum of each class<br />
Similarly at IFF, every classroom and<br />
laboratory is provided with wall<br />
<strong>in</strong>stallations based on the specific<br />
curriculum and course contents of<br />
the given standard. These<br />
<strong>in</strong>stallations — <strong>in</strong> the form of 16-feetlong<br />
panels, each consist<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
models, charts, puzzles, k<strong>in</strong>etic<br />
sculptures, digital displays and do-ityourself<br />
experiments — offer value<br />
additions to a neutral space. They<br />
serve as learn<strong>in</strong>g and teach<strong>in</strong>g tools<br />
<strong>in</strong> addition to be<strong>in</strong>g visual <strong>in</strong>terest<br />
elements. They also act as stimuli to<br />
trigger <strong>in</strong>itiatives from students and<br />
teachers alike and help <strong>in</strong>culcate a<br />
spirit of learn<strong>in</strong>g among pupils.<br />
Interactive panels <strong>in</strong> dance, music, humanities and other laboratories<br />
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