Outcomes

The collaborative developed a basic understanding of form, shape, and material. Throughout the workshop, every aspect of the laminated tile shell technique was explored through handson experiments. The reinterpreting theme of the workshop led to a relevant approach to thinking about the materials. The lectures, discussions, and hands-on interaction with the materials gave rise to various insightful thoughts.

Terracotta tiles have been used in many ways in today’s time, but the true capabilities and possibilities of the material are lost. The tiles are much more than a cladding on the wall. Understanding geometry was the most crucial part of learning as it is important for deriving the form. The basic properties of geometric shapes guide the formation of the 3d forms. Accuracy is the most difficult and important point to develop while performing hands-on. A negligible error in laying the tile or defect in fixing of the guide can lead to deformation and structure might collapse. As it was seen in the Ellipsoid, days of effort and hard work collapsed in seconds. The form collapsed before the chicken mesh was applied, resulting in brittle failure. The consistency of the cement plaster was watery because of which the bond of PoP between the tiles weakened. It was quite

a disappointing moment but it was not the end of the ellipsoid. The form was made again with more speed and a better understanding of the material.

To break the vertical bonds in laying the tile is the primary rule for any bond-forming construction. The tile is staggered in the second layer and is clad in the direction perpendicular to the first layer of tile. The interactive sessions and visits to places such as Hunnarshala, Khamir, etc. gave a view of the materiality around the context of Bhuj.

The collaboration allowed many informal communications with people from different backgrounds. The endless conversations during those tea and coffee breaks and the bonfires in the late evenings. It was quite a learning experience to work on the ongoing construction at the site. Working on the roof while looking at our form from a bird’s eye view was very encouraging. The way the other artisans and the workers worked on-site, made us wonder how quickly they can construct these structures with utmost precision and finishing. In all, it was an experience that involved our senses to work with the materials through experiencing and learning.