There are numerous issues that are plaguing humanity at large, such as deforestation, scarcity of water, waste disposal, air pollution etc. The problems have escalated to such a massive scale that they seem overwhelming and thus end up in the back of our minds, never to be pondered upon. On the surface, we only see our individual concerns. Ignoring these problems has led to unpredictable climate change, for example. Now, it’s high time we reflect and intervene directly in these issues that demand our immediate attention. Collectively, we must all take action for a better future.
Design thinkers of ARCH College of Design and Business participated at FOAID (Festival of Architecture & Interior Design). FOAID is an annual festival where creative minds meet & discuss new facets of design.
8 colleges were selected to install their concept in Delhi at EXPRESSIONS- A Student Installation Design Competition organized by FOAID. This was open to work of crafted designs, handmade objects, installations and functional sculptures by students of architecture and interior design faculties, design and arts departments, and other art, craft and design oriented institutions in the creative industry nationwide. The Theme for FOAID 2018 was “Time to Reimagine…”
The ARCH students’ installation was based on a concept called “Look Beyond”. “Look Beyond” is an idea, expressing concern to bring our attention towards the issues of our environment. We human beings tend to be self-absorbed and often forget to ‘look beyond’ ourselves. But in today’s time, can we even afford to do that? At the cost of the planet we habitat?
ARCH faculty Ar. Ronak Dhagra & Interior Design final year students receiving the award
The event was organized on the 21st and 22nd of September, 2018. A jury of 5 eminent members from the field were asked to judge the concepts. There were 3 winners- silver winner – gold winner – diamond winner. The Diamond winner was to further go to Mumbai to display his or her installation and a Platinum winner would be chosen as the winner of the EXPRESSIONS competition. Arch College of Design & Business was awarded Diamond winner at this nation-wide competition.
CONCEPT
The structure was composed of Tetrahedrons and Octahedrons, signifying our environmental problems which are piling up, heaping upon each other, soon to be beyond our control. The surface was composed of flattened tin cans which reflected the image of the person in front of it showing the self-absorbent human. There were five openings in the structure, inside which the environmental issues were brought to light with a bamboo torch. With each problem, we had a badge uniquely signifying the issue at large. To engage the visitors, we had badges for them to take away, to wear them as support for the cause and to adhere in the individual the responsibility to take actions, even the smallest ones, for our environment.
MATERIAL CONCEPT
SCRAP ALUMINUM TIN CANS
The reflective surface of the tin cans symbolized the threshold between the conscious and the unconscious. We reused disposed tin cans as they were reflective, low cost, light-weight and ductile.
BAMBOO TORCH
Through the torch, we were literally trying to bring light upon the reality of our surroundings. Bamboo is a sustainable, cost-efficient and a durable material.
CHARCOAL
Creating darkness through coal defines how we push major global concerns into the back of our minds and never contemplate on them. Coal is a natural and an organic substitute of the color black.
CARDBOARD
We used waste cardboard sheets for the complete structure. It is a recyclable and an inexpensive medium, due to being lightweight, it is also easily transportable.
JUTE ROPE
Jute is an organic and environment-friendly material which we used to hang the tags identifying the problems.
“I have been coming to FOAID for
many years & it’s looking more
& more interesting. I think the
collaboration that takes place right
from the senior architects to the
young architects & students has
been a great experience.
The theme is very apt, as we have
been unconditioned many years
ago but to put that into perspective
is a good idea.”
Niranjan Hiranandani
Co-Founder and Managing Director,
Hiranandani Group
“Look Beyond” is an idea,
expressing concern to bring our
attention towards the issues of our
environment. We human beings
tend to be self-absorbed and often
forget to ‘look beyond’ ourselves.
But in today’s time, can we even
afford to do that? At the cost of the
place that we inhabit?
Ar. Ronak Dhagra
Faculty, Interior Design at ARCH