Author: Utkarsha Purushottam Ranbhor
Site Location: Etikoppaka, Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Institute: Pillai HOC College of Architecture
Advisor: Ar. Ashwathy Rajagopal

description

“Like nature, cultural heritage evolves and adapts, but can also face extinction without care. In today’s dynamic world, intangible heritage like wooden toys; are cultural treasures. As plastic toys threaten this craft in Anthropocene, challenge is to preserve and reimagine its relevance. This project creates space where tradition and innovation merge, ensuring survival and revival of this timeless art by establishing a model of flexible, scalable upliftment that can be replicated across other clusters in India.

A design approach that allows for adaptation and growth in response to evolving needs of the artisans and communities. It responds to the unique socio-economic context of clusters, allowing for localized adaptations that respect the craft’s heritage while ensuring its relevance in contemporary markets. By offering spaces that can be reconfigured and repurposed as needed, the center empowers artisans to continuously innovate and sustain their craft in face of changing market dynamics.

In essence, this project embodies the spirit of flexibility and resilience. It recognizes that to sustain the legacy of traditional clusters, architecture must evolve in harmony with cultural and economic shifts that define the artisans’ world. This approach not only preserves the craft but also ensures that it thrives in future and contributes to the global economy of India.

drawings

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