His engineering background helps Manu Narendran better understand how to work with bamboo as a construction material
Tell us about your preference for working with earth and bamboo.
MN: The materials are sustainable and environment friendly, but these are not the main reasons I like to work with them. I enjoy designing and building with bamboo and earth because the whole process is so hands-on and so intense, with so many great, and humbling, challenges. The love and hard work which goes in, and the satisfaction when you finish building, are not possible with any other material.
I received my Engineering degree from CEPT in Civil Construction Technology and was always inclined towards architecture, materials and detailing. Early on, I got interested in bamboo as a material and started working with it hands-on. This direct engagement with the material along with lot of reading resulted in my research thesis on bamboo as a construction material in India; it explored various techniques of bamboo construction across the country and their future applications, and suggested a structural design code for bamboo construction and a policy level change.
Bamboo, available abundantly in our country, should become a mainstream construction material along with earth construction. Our system currently has no specific codes to support the most time tested, and one of the oldest, building materials. There is a lack of knowledge-building through institutes, where these materials are not considered equal to other building materials. Students should be motivated to do higher research in bamboo and earth.
Through our approach and research we are trying to bring bamboo and earth to such a level where they are considered as mainstream building materials and the artisans and communities building with them are given supreme respect.
When did you discover your design leanings?
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A Legacy Continues
Leveraging the success of his family's export business, Naman Jain is focusing on creating a retail presence in India
Creating KAIRA
Long fascinated by Indian fabric, Nikita Gupta has launched an attractive line of contemporary apparel in traditional block prints
Stories faces tell
Aditya Narula dabbled in various vocations before he realized portraiture was the best way to express the fascinating complexities of the people he encountered along the way
time tested DESIGN
Surrounded by art and architecture as a child, Sarah Sham went on to take the family antiques business in a new direction through her interior design venture
DANGEROUSLY DELICATE
Kavya Potluri's attention to minute detail is what sets her intricate and unconventional jewelry apart
music as muse
A multidisplinary visual artist, Aaron Pinto, also known as Kidsquidy, has had an interesting journey that started with MTV and has him now working on everything from music videos to stage design
DEVELOPING A DISCOURSE
Documentary photographer Taha Ahmad believes his work has a greater purpose than merely being admired by a select audience for its esthetic value. It's when people are able to see the underside of society and understand the prevailing social injustice that the work tries to reveal that it is truly worthwhile.
Tiny little Stories
Creating miniature worlds allows Ruchika Nambiar to continue to play childlike games of make-believe
The Richness Of Handmade
Amit Vijaya and Richard Pandav are committed to bringing together many hands and hearts through their clothing label ‘amrich’
The perfect balance
Aniruddh Mehta is as much graphic designer as visual artist, and he tries to do justice to both through his work at Studio Bigfat