Studio Mumbai

the EPFL is just a short metro ride away from home, and luckily they host one of the larger architecture programs in switzerland, behind ETH in Zurich of course. perhaps they are the largest in Romandie (french speaking part of switzerland.)  almost one month ago i attended a lecture there. it reminded me of being back at the u of m with students packed into the back of the lecture hall and many of them sneaking out early to get at the free wine and treats downstairs. it was their first week back at school- lets just say i was feeling very good that it wasn't me!

Palmyra House [Helene Binet]

i knew the lecture would be in english when i read the bio: "... architect Bijoy Jain studied and worked in the U.S. and Europe before returning to his native India to open Studio Mumbai..."

Palmyra House [Helene Binet]

being a "process" gal, his lecture was very inspiring. Studio Mumbai has developed a process of design-build that creates a true architecture of place. the studio employs many local craftsmen as an integral part of the design process, creating meaningful spaces that take advantage of traditional crafts that leave minimal traces on the earth- hand labor is favored over large machinery. in a way, it is a return to traditional methods but also creating something new and unique... "a rediscovery of their tradition"  rather than creating copies of western architecture that are truly place-less.

in addition to the lecture, Studio Mumbai has many objects from their studio on display in the work-place gallery at epfl. that night was the opening and it was amazing to view many working models, full scale prototypes, material samples and tools. this room made me want to get my hands dirty!

in searching for some video clips of the studio's work i ran across a 'related video' about Teronobu Fujimori, a japanese architect who has a similar working process using traditional japanese methods of craft.

this plaster replication of an "in-between space"from a mumbai neighborhood was constructed for the venice biennial. a beautiful representation of how magical these tiny neighborhood spaces can be. in one part you are actually walking through someone's living room...