IIT Kanpur 5 Days Workshop on “Earthquake Resistant Practices”

Introduction

The 16th National Workshop for Undergraduate Students of Architecture was hosted by the National Information Centre of Earthquake Engineering (NICEE) at IIT Kanpur from 1st June to 15th June 2024. Aimed at enhancing students’ awareness of earthquake safety and providing a conceptual foundation in earthquake-resistant design, the workshop selected five students from the fourth year of Pillai College of Architecture to participate in this valuable experience.

Workshop Overview

The workshop featured a hybrid format, combining online technical sessions followed by offline studio sessions on the IIT campus. A total of 34 students who had completed six semesters of their architecture programs participated in the event, representing institutes from Maharashtra, West Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, UP, Assam, and Nepal.

Structure of the Workshop

1. Online Technical Sessions:
   • These sessions took place from June 1st to June 2nd, 2024, led by experts including Dr. Harikumar from Geo Hazards International, New Delhi; Dr. Vasudha Gokhale and Dr. Meera Shirolkar from Dr. B. N. College of Architecture for Women; and Dr. Atanu Dutta, Principal of Jorhat Institute of Science and Technology.
   • Participants received PDFs of the NICEE publication and additional reading materials for review before attending the studio sessions.
2. Offline Studio Sessions:
   • These sessions occurred from June 11th to June 15th, 2024, on the IIT Kanpur campus.
   • Students were divided into 17 groups, ensuring that no two members from the same college were paired together to foster collaboration among students from different institutions.
   • Resource faculty members, including Dr. Meera Shirolkar, Dr. Vasudha Gokhale, Dr. Sujata Mehta from Dr. B. N. College of Architecture for Women, Dr. Bhavna Vimawala, and Dr. Nehal Desai from Sarvajanik University Surat, and Dr. Nayanmoni Chetia from Jorhat Engineering College, mentored the students in hands-on design studios.

Day 3

Introduction to Design Problem

• The day began with faculty introductions and a briefing on the design assignment. Participants were tasked with designing an office complex on a one-hectare site in Gandhidham, a city in the Kutch district of Gujarat, categorized under seismic zone V. The design brief emphasized functionality, structural integrity, and aesthetics while challenging students to effectively integrate earthquake-resistant features into their designs.
• Dr. Durgesh Rai, Coordinator of NICEE and Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, delivered a session on the significance of architectural practice from a seismic perspective, setting the tone for the students as they started working on their design assignments.
• Dr. Hari Kumar presented a lecture on the societal impacts of earthquakes, enriching the students’ understanding of the broader implications of their designs.



Day 4

• The design process continued with faculty guidance, allowing students to refine their concepts and address feedback from instructors.

Day 5

• The schedule included a visit to the IIT Structural Engineering Lab, where students learned about various earthquake engineering technologies and witnessed PhD students presenting their research.





Day 6 (Final Jury Day) and Evaluation

• The designs prepared by the participants were evaluated on 15th June 2024, by a jury comprising professionals from both architecture and structural engineering.
• In the initial round, the jury shortlisted six designs for further presentations that effectively integrated earthquake-resistant features while maintaining functionality and addressing climatic considerations. This list included Darsh Ranawat, Chiara Karnik, and Afreen Sable from Pillai College of Architecture.


• After the presentations, finally the Top 3 groups were announced.
  1. First Position
     Ms. Chiara Niket Karnik, Pillai College of Architecture, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
     Mr. Anantjeet Singh Nagpal, MNIT, Jaipur, Rajasthan
  2. Third Position
     Ms. Afreen Ashfaq Sable, Pillai College of Architecture, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
     Ms. Vedanshi Ostwal, Chandigarh College of Architecture, Chandigarh, Punjab





Conclusion

The workshop was a significant opportunity for our students to gain insights into earthquake-resistant design principles and collaborative practices in architectural design. We appreciate the efforts of IIT Kanpur and NICEE in organizing this impactful event, and we look forward to further opportunities for our students to engage in similar enriching experiences.