Studio 18
Auroville Studio
Indian Environmental Centres, Chennai & Kaluveli Bio Region
Andreas Bickford, in association with Greg Burgess & Joss Brooks
Studio Description
The Tamil Nadu eco-village of Auroville, https://www.auroville.org/contents/95 is one of the oldest ECO Villages celebrating its 50th anniversary in February, 2018. Auroville has the backing and endorsement of the Indian Government and UNESCO, commending it as a project of importance to the future of humanity.
This studio involves the design of two regional environmental centres for research and education designated to document, monitor and study the health of a major drainage basin in central Tamil Nadu, home to millions of people in rural villages and Chennai. Water and water management is of key importance.
The Studio has a choice of two projects available for students:
- Design of an Eco Education Research Centre to study the Kaluveli Bio Region, near, Kadapakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
- Design of an Environmental Centre in the Adyar Ponga regenerative water shed area Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India in association with the Goethe Centre, the German and Tamil Nadu Government and local business interests.
The integration of community, architecture, landscape, and graphic communication will be explored along with best practice sustainable design for the two centres. Both projects will look at creating a national image for such centres, to be established in various locations in India and will involve travel to India during the Easter break, semester one, 2018. The cost will be approx.$1200. Travel support is possibly available and students will stay at guest houses in Auroville and in Chennai.
The studio design process will work closely with the Earth Institute; Pitchandikulam Forest http://www.pitchandikulamforest.org/PF/ ; the Water Institute and GAIA in Auroville, India and CERES IN Melbourne http://ceres.org.au/; the Goethe-Institut, Chennai www.goethe.de/chennai
Auroville has established itself as an international community, rich in diversity, and has evolved to make a significant difference in the lives of surrounding communities concerned with - and practically researching into - sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind.
This studio requires travel to India. We are planning to have 3 days in Auroville, near Pondicherry and 2-3 days in Chennai in the environmental park, at the Geothe-Institut & with businesses wanting to assist in the development of an Environmental Center for Chennai.
Studio Outcomes
The studio will encompass a range of environmental initiatives in Australia and internationally by studio lecture & research, prior to travel. On returning the focus will be the creation an iconic Indian Environmental Center. The creation of a project notebook will be required, sketches, photos, thoughts and notes developing the architecture are essential. Final presentation will require both model and drawing form.
Studio Leader
Andreas (Andrew) Bickford B.E.S., M.Arch.
Conceptual Design Architect/Planner/Artist, (many years) *GAIA Eco Education course completed 2017
completing medical center and school projects in India
involved in several international design projects
primary interests: eco design, community health and learning centres, design philosophy, methodology & implementation of good solutions, travel, teaching & learning.
Reading & Reference
Web sites to visit. A full eco-bio research inventory will be provided at studio commencement. ceres.org.au pitchandikulamforest.org goethe.institut.de/Chennai auroville.org/contents/95 earth-auroville.com tamera.org/healing-biotopes-plan/
TRAVEL Week 6 | $1500
ST1/18 Monday 12-3PM, MSD Room 237
ST2/18 Thursday 3:15-6:15PM, MSD Room 237