Mumbai, India
Mumbai, India
Tākṣaṇya
Tākṣaṇya, Sanskrit for ‘child of a carpenter’, is about the transference of culture between two generations of carpenters of the Suthar community in Bikaner, India. Being a member of this community, Jaykishan Mistry confronts the fading cultural identity and increasing demand for labour wages using the position of post-colonial agency. Researching local and Western sovereign influences, he uncovers how collective existential purpose is induced by a post-colonial drive towards social and economic autarky. Tākṣaṇya’s design strategy adds economic and political value to the Suthars’ native culture and hand tools by securing labour wages through manual crafts and a cultural identity that aligns with larger sustainability goals.
Text: Esteban Gomez Rosselli
Carpenter 1: Din Dayal Suthar
Carpenter 2: Om Suthar
Photographs: Jeroen Van De Gruiter
Exhibited at Dutch Design Week 2022
Published: https://www.designacademy.nl/page/2442/t%C4%81ksanya
Private Residence
Designed for a family from the city of Bikaner, Rajasthan, this private residence is situated in a tropical agrarian landscape. It follows traditional Indian Vastu principles, with private and semi-private rooms arranged around a central courtyard. The courtyard, envisioned as a ceremonial space, becomes the central for festive gatherings, where the extended family comes together around a Vrindavan — a mini forest of holy basil.
Render: Archiviz
Model: Tolaram Suthar
Vastu Consultant: Prakash Meghji
General Will
[Deep sea mining is a growing subfield of experimental seabed mining that involves the retrieval of minerals and deposits from the ocean floor found at depths of 200 metres (660 ft),[1][2] up to 6500 meters (21,325.46ft).]
_ according to wikipedia
Deep-sea mining of poly metallic nodules is a contemporary anthropogenic issue. The project exposes the notion or rules of “general will” and “common heritage of mankind”. It allows the public to confront with these human rules which can have a catastrophic effect on the marine life to make batteries for our future technology.
The proposal is a device which shows the original nodule along with the metals that can be extracted form it. A device to learn; like an ancient orrery.
It is animated with recorded audio interview with scientists who are researching the impact of mining it.
Video 1: Robert Andriessen
Photograph: Veronika Motulko
Exhibited at Venice Design Biennale 2023: https://www.venicedesignbiennial.org/editions/venice-design-biennial-2023/auto-exotic-part-ii
Exhibited as part of ‘Pedagogies of the Sea’ at MAAT Lisbon, 2021
GMO Box
A critical approach to genetic mutation of timber for capital generation by abusing craft.
Trans-genic paulownia, an invention of biotechnology, is a hybrid of multiple paulownia trees. Created by introducing genes from donor species to a host species creating sequences that would otherwise not be found in the genome, a process known as recombinant DNA. These new lab-grown paulownia specimens are designed to suit the specific end-user need, primarily created to shorten the growth time of the tree from 25 years to about seven years of full maturity.
The box takes the shape of a plastic box, but made with paulownia wood. An interpretation of mass manufacturing in wood industry.
Cabin
Compact cabin is designed for a family retreat in Maharashtra, using prefabricated panels for efficient construction. The layout follows Vastu principles, promoting harmony and well-being. Openings are strategically placed in alignment with the sun path and prevailing winds to enable passive cooling throughout the year. The exterior is clad in aluminium for durability and a clean, modern appearance, while the interiors feature birch plywood to create a warm and calming environment—ideal for rest and reconnection.
Status: Ongoing
Collaboration: Chooyal