IPSA Social

Darshit Gohel

The role of an architect is of social value. With all the knowledge and sensitivity, he must become a bridge between the city and its inhabitants.

With the Melange, every year, an annual forum is organized by the student body to raise awareness and expose students to other disciplines of architecture, this year the forum was devised to introduce certain grass-root practices, which are usually not initiated by most of us, but have a vital role in shaping our society.

Practices working for society brings up discussions on dealing with local bodies & government in their narrative. So, aspects like user participation, culture, and traditions and liveable environment are at the forefront of such practices. Academically, the sense of ‘user’ becomes pivotal to cultivate and refine their design processes. Surrounding these ideas, forum invited people from 3 practices across India. Including, UDC- whic is short for Urban Design Collective. Whose practice is based in Chennai and comprises of architects, urban designers, and planners. Second were Compartment S4, who are based in Ahmedabad; A group of 8 architects from CEPT University, working for the urban poor and in rural landscapes with a wide range of government led initiatives. Finally, Aagaur Studio, a grassroots level design studio based in Bhopal which is led by two individuals committed to working on up-gradation of traditional building crafts.

After a couple of hours on presentation and questions, we noted a few points worthy of discussion and dissemination. An individual’s role, is not towards personal growth, but that of a social nature which brings economic restraints for survival. Coping and growing with it, is a primary learning outcome. Government and other clientele have an innate feeling of ownership and particular needs, which are not always in accord with the societal norms of design. Bureaucracy often seeps in investments and architecture whose primary stakeholders are people, and they are often neglected.