Pushing Boundaries: Exploring Innovation and Advancement through Research and Development at ASADI Architecture College.
ASADI has experienced faculty and active researchers with substantial research output and publications in established International Journals and strive to carry out relevant and impactful research in diverse areas of Architecture, Planning, Urbanism and Technology.
Research at ASADI addresses critical issues and reflects upon regional discourses about architecture and urbanism and aims at contributing to the advancement of knowledge that informs architectural and design practices, that contribute to the creation of livable environments, and that reflects an ethical responsibility toward the environment, culture, and society.
ASADI looks at research within two perspectives:
a) Research that seeks to comprehend the future through a better perception of the past, i.e., research that tests accepted ideas,
b) Research that probes novel ideas and concepts that will shape the future, i.e., research that develops new visions and conceptual understandings.
Therefore, the research focus at ASADI is wide in scope and addresses a spectrum of issues that are technically oriented, conceptually focused, and/or philosophically and historically driven in the field. The students and faculty actively participate in National & International conferences and seminars. ASADI has hosted several workshops, lectures and conferences to establish a research driven learning environment at the school. CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
ASADI is proud that every student contributes significantly to this noble cause; the telling example is their low cost housing project intended to provide shelter for the billions of homeless people in the world. Similarly, ASADI strongly believes that the students should be involved in R& D work from the early stages itself. Also very important is the fact that the school should promote a sense of concern in the minds of the students for the needy. The project “Home and Hope for the Billion” is a major project envisaged after a great deal of thought process.
Sri. Binoy Viswam, Former Minister of Housing, Government of Kerala, has been a major force in the development of this project. He has already addressed our students and the concerned faculty members of the need to develop this formidable and at the same time novel project of this stature.
This project, which initially started last year, continued to this year wherein seventy students submitted their individual designs based on their independent analysis of their R & D work. A month back, three senior architects, Ar. Sajan Pulimood, Ar. Jayanand Kilikar and Ar. Saira Mathew short listed 12 best designs from the shortlisted entries.
Though a relatively young institute, ASADI with its own unique philosophy and techniques has already caught the attention of academic leaders in the country and accolades continue to flow in.
Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) is a pioneer in the country in creating awareness of going green in all aspects of construction industry. It was established in 2001, when the green building concept was totally a strange thing to the country, though green building movement had developed in many other countries including US, Australia and few parts of Europe. After launching IGBC, the first green building was constructed in 2003 for the IGBC head quarters in Hyderabad, making it the greenest building in the world that year. From just 20000 Sqft of green building footprint in 2003, today IGBC has been able to rate more than 4.7 billion Sqft of green building under different rating systems.
Last year IGBC launched a special rating for Villages with an objective of making the entire country green , based on the awareness that India still lives in the villages in spite of rapid urban development. Several Villages in the North East and North region in the country have already been converted in to Green Villages under IGBC Green Village Rating. IGBC has impressed upon the present Panchayath committee to make the Mulavukad Panchayath as the first Green Village in Kerala and possibly the first in South India in case the project is swiftly progressed.
The IGBC Kochi Chapter has taken initiatives in this regards and already undertaken a detailed survey of the entire Village as a first step. This has been possible by the active involvement of the Panchayath President Ms. Viji Shajan and all other dedicated Ward members. The copy of the initial Survey is attaching herewith.
The second phase of the project includes developing a detailed plan based on thr suggestions received from each ward member and the third phase comprises of estimation of cost for the proposed development activities. The 3rd year students of Asian School of Architecture and Design Innovation ( ASADI), Vytila, volunteered to take up the task of preparing the conceptual development plan towards the greening of Mulavukad Village towards securing IGBC Platinum Certification
Mulavukad Grama Panchayath is a small village situated very close to Cochin city comprising of two islands named as Mulavukad and Vallarpadom. The village is in the developing stage and it requires lot more infrastructure development and facility up gradation for the betterment.
Plastic and solid waste is the major waste from villagers. Most of the plastic is disposed off by throwing it to rivers and backwaters. The water bodies are contaminated due to this and resulted in degradation of marine resources .One of the major problem faced by the Panchayath is the non availability of land for disposing the waste .Thus the systematic control of waste and waste management becomes a major priority.
In order to promote organic cultivation of vegetables, grow bags can be given to all houses. This can be initiated and promoted through “Kudumbasree” units and this may help them to gain some additional income. The Mulavukad Co- operative bank, agricultural department and Panchayath are interested in supporting organic cultivation and conventional “Pokkali” cultivation in the village.
Mulavukad Panchayath is declared as an ODF. But, more developments in the field of sanitation are necessary. The Panchayath is vigilant in implementing the best practices in this area. More modern toilets and bio toilets can be installed in various public places.
The existing Main roads and link roads are not enough to serve the transportation requirements across the village. Development of Main road, Link roads, constructions of new roads and bridges , construction of sewage canals are one of the major concern area.
The “Keraleswaram” bridge needs immediate maintenance. Infrastructure development in “ Anganvaadi” and Govt. Schools should be taken care. Lack of good play grounds and other related infrastructure is another major issue in the Panchayath. The development of cultural centers, arts and sports hubs needs to be addressed.
In order to promote renewable resources of energy, Solar street lamps across the Panchayath are recommended.
