The Unexpected Sweetness

Artistic pattern made from empty beer bottles embedded into the walls at Institute for Management in Government

Kerala has succeeded in localizing its governance in a lot of aspects, in spite of the risks involved. Mr. S M Vijayanand told us about how ‘panchayat’ system is working in Kerala. The localized framework with budgets allocated to cities themselves, make the state governments stand on their toes. Local authorities can help make their areas better, as there would be a better understanding of the potentials and problems and a natural competency as well. Today’s second lecture was from Ar. Shailaja Nair, who gave us interesting ideas on climate responsive design attributes in Kerala. Being an architect myself, this lecture was very interesting for me. She told us about how the allocation and sizes of windows, roof forms, gables, courtyards, etc. could amplify the use of natural elements to get comfortable indoors. One interesting thing that she pointed out was, how artistically beautiful were each corner in Kerala and how arts and decorations come up once the survival aspects are taken care of. After all, South Asia has had ancient sciences like Vashtushashtra and Ayurveda, and the artistic richness here is well-known.

After the lectures at LBC, we went to Mother’s Veg Plaza, which is very popular in Trivandrum for an authentic South Indian two-course meal with various layers. The food is served on a big banana leaf, starting with a series of pickles and chutneys on side of special Kerala rice, puris and fruits, ending with layers of delicious desserts of four types of payasams. The series of sweet desserts and few sweet chutneys of pineapple and coconut were the unexpected surprises for me! With that range of flavors and the unique spices of Kerala, it was an amazing experience!

After the burst of flavors in mouth and a full tummy, we went to visit the Institute for Management in Government. There we saw a five-storied building with Laurie Bakers’ low-cost building construction techniques with filler slabs and brick walls with lattice works. After IMG, we went to visit Ar. P B Sajan and Ar. Shailaja Nair’s house made up of low-cost construction techniques as used in LBC. I was amazed by the interior and flow of spaces in the house. It has an attic-like space for bedroom and the living and bedroom don’t have any windows; just has bamboo curtains along the slanted openings. The whole structure looked like a temple from outside, and felt like one from the inside!

The contrasting structures, both made up of local materials and technology at IMG

Permeable pavement at IMG, preventing accumulation of groundwater

Tuna and the triangular stairwell, IMG

Me and the colorful beer bottles, IMG

The Mango, IMG

The temple-like exterior of Mr. and Mrs. Nair's house

The window-less living room with bamboo curtains

The small courtyard among the interesting play of levels and spaces at the Nair house

The connection between four different levels of spaces at the Nair house