What role do you think crafts play in shaping a city’s cultural identity and sense of community?
Crafts are the soul of a city—they shape its identity, reflect its roots, and bring people together. From the hands that create to the hearts that cherish them, crafts foster a deep sense of belonging. They turn spaces into stories and cities into living cultures.
As a Chhattisgarhi, I’ve seen how Bastar art does more than decorate—it defines us. It’s the voice of the tribes, the pride of the region, and the reason Chhattisgarh feels like home. When crafts thrive, communities connect, and cities come alive with meaning.
Do you think architecture schools should collaborate with local artisans to teach traditional construction techniques? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Architecture schools must collaborate with local artisans to preserve and pass on traditional construction techniques. Architects shape the future—and if they are disconnected from the past, we risk losing the soul of our cities.
In the race for urban development, we often trade identity for imitation. Cities begin to look alike, and the essence of our heritage fades. India is not just a land of buildings; it’s a land of stories, hands that craft, and traditions that breathe life into stone and space.
By learning directly from artisans, students don’t just gain skills—they inherit a legacy. This connection sets the tone for a future rooted in culture, where progress doesn’t erase the past, but builds upon it. Teaching tradition is not a step backward; it’s a step toward creating cities that feel like home.
Do you think hands-on experiences would help you understand the link between traditional crafts and architecture? If so, why do you think they are important?
Yes, hands-on experiences are essential to truly understand the link between traditional crafts and architecture. Seeing a craft is one thing—but touching it, shaping it, and working with the materials allows you to feel its purpose, precision, and poetry.
It builds respect for craftsmanship and reveals how these age-old practices naturally align with sustainable and context-sensitive design. It teaches that architecture isn’t just about creating spaces—it’s about creating meaning.
What subjects or modules would you suggest adding to the curriculum to foster a deeper appreciation for craft in architecture?
The subject I would like to add is vernacular architecture in which students need to work to understand the traditional culture and techniques of different cities . Training students to document traditional crafts through drawings, photography, writing, and video—helping preserve intangible heritage and building a design vocabulary grounded in context.
Also Hands-on Craft Workshops
In collaboration with local artisans, these workshops would immerse students in real-time processes like pottery, carpentry, weaving, metalwork, or stone carving, fostering tactile learning and cultural respect.
-Srishti Agrawal , First year student, National Institute of Technology Raipur