B Arch programme at IAPNU has since academic year 2021-22, introduced a 4-week course based on field work during immersion activity at a chosen location. It is akin to a Related Study Programme (RSP) conducted every summer and winter, however is of longer duration as it involves a design proposal and strategies for intervention. This summer from 24th June to 9th July, a group of third year students went to a cluster of villages called Sem-Thandi in Uttarkashi district at Uttarakhand. It was an immersion activity conducted in collaboration with New Delhi based organization – Development Alternatives (DA). DA has earlier engaged with this rural community through livelihood generation activities and disaster resilient construction technology intervention programme. The students stayed with the villagers in homestays experiencing local culture and lifestyle very closely. They studied buildings and village cluster as vernacular typology and its transformation in terms of spatial arrangement, functionality and construction technology. They also explored the idea of systems thinking in rural habitat with connect between water and wastewater systems, solid waste management, and other settlement attributes with livelihood potential and eco-conservation. Lastly, they prepared proposals for design and development intervention. Students also visited DA headquarters building at New Delhi which has incorporated alternative, eco-friendly and cost-effective methods, technologies and solutions.
