There is so much about Goa that attracts thousands of visitors each year – from its beaches to its culture and more.
And now, a Goan architect has taken Goa's housing to a prestigious national event – the India Art, Architecture, Design Biennale 2023.
Goan architect and educator, Tallulah D’Silva, who has been practicing architecture for over 20 years, is now focusing on slow and sustainable architecture (which includes designs inspired by nature), and using mud as the main material for construction.
Through her work, she also educates people about sustainability, and the impact of modern architecture on ecology, etc.
Recently, her work was noticed, and she was among 80 women architects to be featured at the India Art Architecture and Design Biennale, 2023 at Red Fort, Delhi, at the exhibition titled ‘Samatva—Shaping the Built.’
The event has been curated by Swati Janu, Social Design Collaborative and organised by the Ministry of Culture.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
The exhibition looks at female representation in architecture – according to ArchitectureLive!, 60% of students of architecture in India are women, but only 20 per cent practice.
The event also celebrates the 100th anniversary of Eulie Roy Chowdhary, the unsung hero in the designing of Chandigarh city.
60% of students of architecture in India are women, but only 20 per cent practice.
Tallulah’s work, which is rooted in activism, architecture and academia, focused on land rights, sustainability and protection of the Goan ecology.
For this Biennale, she has displayed mud blocks made from five different kinds of soil found in Goa, and how she uses them for construction.
Tallulah informs that her work with mud in Goa addresses the issues of mining and quarrying for sand and laterite stone, and the alternatives to building thereof, using soils available in Goa.
These mud blocks are made using specific soils local to Goa – soil with natural gravel, sand, clay, etc.
“Goa has soils with red, yellow, white and black pigments. There is also the black clay from the saline banks of coastal rivers. In Goa, people built with soils available in situ," informs Tallulah.
"Even if soils were sandy, a little clay available from the nearby fields was added to make it workable to build load bearing walls,” she says. She further adds that building with mud is also cost effective.
There is a notion that mud houses are not long lasting, and are difficult to maintain. But, people have been using mud to build houses for thousands of years.
However, there is a notion that mud houses are not long lasting, and are difficult to maintain. She points out that people have been using mud for thousands of years.
“Goa has its own tradition of mud building – be it cob or rammed earth. The material – mud – was always sourced from the backyard, it had a long life and even at the end of its life, most of the material could be reused or upcycled,” states Tallulah.
She opines that today’s cement concrete houses are hot and need constant air conditioning, repair and maintenance.
“Cement concrete houses last for barely 50-60 years. And, at the end of their life, most of the material becomes debris and is not easy to recycle. Today, people are becoming aware of the hazards of lead-based paints and how cement is causing pollution, and is the most destructive material on the planet,” says she.
Focusing on the theme of Biennale, Tallulah is one of the few practicing female architects in Goa. She states that there are many reasons for this, such as marriage, child birth and care, etc. It could be because of the fact that it is still a male-dominated profession.
“Some organisations like the IIA (Indian Institute of Architects), particularly the one in Goa, has not seen a woman at its helm till date, even though there are very capable and competent women,” states Tallulah.
However, she is hopeful about the current times, saying, “Young women architects from Goa are not shying away from the many opportunities that are coming their way with no prejudice to their gender.”
The first 'India Art, Architecture, Design Biennale 2023' opened in December 2023.
The event, organised by India's Ministry of Culture, aims to showcase traditional, grassroot artisans as well as contemporary designers, curators and thought leaders cutting across age, gender & genre lines.
The exhibits, accompanied by interactive installations, have been designed in both physical and digital forms for an immersive experience.
India Art Architecture and Design Biennale 2023 is open from 10 am to 5 pm at the Red Fort, Delhi, till the March 31, 2024.