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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 />

<strong>in</strong>site 05/12<br />

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 />

<strong>in</strong>site 05/12<br />

35


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 />

<strong>in</strong>site 05/12<br />

36<br />

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 />

<strong>in</strong>site 05/12<br />

37

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