Second Place Winner
Factory of Innovations
Design by
Vinay Ekkaldevi
Vinay Ekkaldevi
Ar. Vinay Rajesh Ekkaldevi, originally from Mumbai, India, graduated from Rachna Sansad’s Academy of Architecture. Prior to pursuing architecture, he completed a Civil Engineering diploma at KJ Somaiya after completing his 10th grade. Currently, he works as an Architect at Pekins Eastman.
Celebrating Creativity & Vision
Winner’s Spotlight: An Exclusive Interview
Discover the story behind the victory — from concept to creation.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your educational background?
Hello, I am Ar. Vinay Rajesh Ekkaldevi, From Mumbai, India. I have graduated from Rachna Sansad’s Academy of Architecture, Before joining architecture I have pursued Civil Engineering diploma from KJ Somaiya after my 10TH Grade. Right now I am working as an Architect with Pekins Eastman.
Could you provide an overview of your thesis project? What was the main concept or idea behind it?
The Thesis project of Factory of Innovation focuses on diverse issues and challenges India is currently facing, be it rapidly increasing population leading to over consumption of goods generating tremendous amount of waste, or on other hand increasing number of struggling young population with talented creative minds (in form of startups) which demand base, resources, support , experimentation etc. Hence developing A Factory of Failures, which hosts to give second life to waste, second life to failed ideas, failed innovations etc
Idea was how can architecture bridge the gap between current situations and challenges coming up in the country by building a platform for it.
What aspects of your thesis project do you believe demonstrate innovation or creativity in architecture?
Thesis uses the concept of Autopoiesis in Architecture wherein the design is based upon certain systems and each system acts as a trigger for other to function and so on forming a wholesome cyclic co dependent arrangement. Outcome/waste/by product of one system acts as a start point for second and outcome/by product of second forms to be start point of third system, not only making it efficient but at the same time brings in diverse issues/challenges that could be solved homogeneously when clubbed together.
Following to which Thesis focuses on connecting threads of growing waste, innovative youths (start ups), Research Data and Public engagement, which eventually form to become 4 systems i.e. Waste system, Innovation system, Data system and Public system.
The study of Events under each system further led to generation of initial conceptual diagrams inform of level inserts, façade inserts and circulations inserts. Hence the strategic configuration of inserts forms to be the base to articulate through these systems forming interesting sectional configurations, zonal planning etc
What impact do you hope your thesis project will have on the field of architecture or the built environment?
Building such intervention would definitely act as key in making the world a better place to live. As it not only tackles the one but multiple scenarios, though being self sustaining in itself. The waste getting used for innovations using the available Data(statistics, active users, target audience) alongwith experimenting/auctioning it on Public, forms to be the core principle impacting at ecological, economical and social level in today’s era.
Building such multiple interventions at different locations focusing on local waste, local industries, local innovations following the principle of previously mentioned systems and inserts can form a major revolution of Today’s era
Looking back, what were the most valuable lessons you learned from undertaking your architecture thesis?
Be clear with What? And Why? During the initial months of research rather focusing how?
Let the answers of What and Why guide the answers for how and where to build it.
Apart from researching and colleting data, keep connecting threads of information and later go wild with imagination. Believe in architecture which has solution for every answer(imagination) of your What, Why and How.
What are your aspirations and plans for the future as an architect?
My aspiration is to focus on various current issues/scenarios going forward, and how can we as architects provide wholesome solutions not only through design but also through understanding the intangible aspects like cultural, social, ecological impact it could generate among the people.
What advice would you give to students who are currently embarking on their architecture thesis projects?
My advice is, Be honest with your research and your study. Have discipline in your work, and just trust the process. The outcome would definitely be great.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience or your vision for the future of architecture?
Architecture needs to be headed with lot of passion and dedication. It’s a creative process and takes time to grow, so just believe in it and be focused.
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