Sample the Swiss flavour

The need for social design is now more than ever with the growing economic disparities.

Aiming to address this gap is a group of 27 architecture students (17 Swiss, two Spanish and eight Indians) from the Bern University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland, who are in the City to work with IN:CH Studio and the local people to benefit the marginalised communities here.

Spearheaded by Juerg Grunder and Priya Joseph Godhi, there are six projects that the students are involved in.

“One group is working in a government school and creating a shade for students using bamboo and old tyres while another is working in Mysore to create a temporary school structure in a slum.In Sena Vihar Apartments, Kammanahalli, one group is building toilets for women workers using waste while in a nearby slum, four of them are working with a women’s self-help group to help generate income. There’s a waste garden being built in Hoskote using glass bottles, paper and packaging wood and another group working on designing interactive bins at Christ University,” informs Priya, the Bangalore coordinator.

Dividing their six weeks here into designing and execution has been the main challenge for most groups. But each of the students proudly says that not only is this project giving a new value to waste but also helping the local communities.

Some are even dedicated enough to make blueprints for the future.

The students working at Featherlite Pottery Town Government High School is one such group. Comprising of Pablo Acitores (Spanish), Valerio Schreier (Swiss), Arion Katana (Swiss) and Pooja Parikh (Indian), the group has constructed the framework for a shade and will soon add the rooftop, bamboo planters and bamboo umbrellas.

“We noticed that the boys go to the playground outside while the girls are forced to stay back. Also, the mid-day meal is served here, which the children have to eat in the heat. We’re hoping that they’ll start using this shade for such activities,” says
Pooja.

Valerio adds that it’s been a learning experience to work within a budget and figure out what materials to use.

Though they’re busy from morning to evening, the group has managed to explore parts of the City.

“We haven’t visited too much because we’ve either been in school or the studio. But we’ve checked out the City Market, Freedom Park and Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens. It’s interesting how different Indian culture is from ours,” shares Pablo.

“We’ve encountered a lot of people who have tried to cheat us. But that’s fine because what’s really exciting us is seeing our designs being executed for the first time!” adds Arion.

The group working with self-help group ‘Anu Business Unit’ (Kammanahalli) has taken the existing skill of manufacturing handmade products using recycled tetra-packs into creating foldable market stands.

“These women make a lot but don’t sell as much. So using the same technique they employ, we’ve designed three types of market stands that suit different business scenarios,” says Jahanavi Kakar, a student.

Sarah Furter adds, “Our main challenge was in procuring the waste material and working within a limited timeframe. But I like the fact that this project focusses more on people than architecture.”

The projects will be showcased on June 2, 3 pm to 8 pm, at 26, Rest House Crescent Road.

For details, call 9972046818.