| Subject | Design Dissertation |
| Year | 5th |
| Session | 2024-25 |
| Date | 11th July, 2024 |
| Time | 09:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. |
| Venue | Conclave 2 |
| Faculty coordinator | Prof. Ajita Deodhar |
| Attendees | 5th Year students |
| Speakers invited | Dhruv Ravi Gowda (Graduation year – 2024), RV College, Bengaluru Faiz Kasu (Graduation year – 2024), PiCA |
PiCA Thesis Forum is a lecture series where recent graduates present the process and outcome of their final-year Design Dissertations. It offers a platform for Design Dissertation discussions and the exchange of ideas.
This year’s thesis forum featured two distinguished presenters, Dhruv Ravi Gowda and Faiz Kasu, who shared invaluable insights from their unique and impactful projects. The forum was attended by the 5th-year B.Arch. students of PiCA, offering them an opportunity to learn about the depth of research and dedication required for their own thesis work.
The session began with an introduction and welcome by 5th-year Class Representative Vishnu, who warmly introduced the speakers and set the stage for an insightful discussion.
1. Dhruv Ravi Gowda – NIASA Award Winner
Dhruv Ravi Gowda, a NIASA award recipient, presented his thesis, Asasavatate at Srirangapatna. His project aimed to create a space dedicated to afterlife rituals and a crematorium, highlighting the cultural and emotional resonance of such a location. Dhruv emphasized the critical role of regular site visits in understanding both the site and the community it serves. He shared his experience of visiting Srirangapatna nearly every weekend, which allowed him to overcome challenges in understanding the site and connect with the local community deeply rooted in its traditions.
When Prof. Smita Dalvi asked how much time was allocated to research, Dhruv explained the significant time dedicated to understanding both the spatial and user-specific aspects of the site. He revealed that 75% of his thesis work was initially completed by hand before transitioning to digital representation. His approach underscored the importance of immersive, hands-on research, particularly for sensitive, site-specific projects, and encouraged students to recognize the value of in-depth exploration.
2. Faiz Kasu – Invigorating informal scrap market.
Faiz Kasu, who selected his thesis topic, Invigorating informal scrap market. Two weeks into the semester, discussed his experiences in tackling a large-scale urban and architectural project. Guided by his mentor, he explored the challenges of designing for a market and river-adjacent area in Kurla, with a focus on urban renewal and giving back to the community. He advised students to start putting ideas on paper early, sharing how sketches and ideas were documented as he progressed in his research.
Faiz’s project spanned from macro to micro studies, revealing the multiple layers and aspects involved in a comprehensive market study. His process included frequent site visits, user interviews, and needs assessments, all of which were crucial in understanding the community’s requirements. His reflections highlighted the importance of iterative research, continuous site engagement, and on-the-spot sketching, particularly for projects involving active community participation.
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, where students posed questions that Dhruv and Faiz answered thoughtfully, further enriching the discussion. Vishnu expressed gratitude to the speakers for their time and insights. Prof. Smita Dalvi then felicitated Dhruv and Faiz, presenting them with books as tokens of appreciation.
