Study Tours

2023-24

Chandrapur Study Tour

Date: 17-02-2024 and 18-02-2024

Total Participants/ Beneficiaries: 23

Teacher In charge: Dr. Neeta Lambe and Ar. Sneha Bodhankar

Objective of Tour –

To enhance the knowledge of the students about the particular place/study area/issues.
To encourage the experiential learning.
To enhance sensitivity towards various Architectural styles by documentation through other artistic means like photography, sketching and measured drawings.
The documentation becomes a part of our library and is a very useful resource for upcoming batches.

Students of First year, under 2nd semester design were taken to Chandrapur city, Maharashtra. 2 days study tour on 17th and 18th February 2025 with an objective of documenting Anchaleshwar gond fort historic monuments i.e. Anchaleshwar mahadeo temple and gond raja fort through architectural drawings and to enhance sensitivity towards ancient monuments design through photography, videography, sketching. Students are also prepared the drawings on site as per measurements.

Feedback – Students learnt documentation process involved in experiential learning

2022-23

Tour to Bastar

Date: 10.10.2022 to 15.10.2022

Place of visit: Bastar (Kondagaon , Chilkuti ,Jagdalpur , Chitrakoot falls)

Total Participants/ Beneficiaries: 3 teachers and 36 students

Ar. Isha Pawar, Ar. Sneha Bodhankar , Ar. Samruddhi Amte

Objective of Tour –Understand the Tribal Architecture in Indian context. , understand the process of ‘Settlement Documentation” as a part of Design process., Understand tribal cultural inheritance on their lifestyle , houses , and settlements, study the tribal Architecture of the Bastar region in terms of settlement layout, grouping of houses, dwelling designs ,material used construction techniques. To understand the activity pattern and its relationship to space organization.

The staff and the students started for the tour on 10 Oct morning and reached at Night at Johar Ethnic Resort , Kondagaon , Chattisgarh .

The students were briefed by Ar. Nisha Bothra and Mr. Jeet Singh Arya about the villages and artistry work .

Ms. Siona, District consultant for Development, Kondagaon district interacted with students , Followed by presentation by Ar. Nisha on Art Forms. Later the students explored the Museum in Johar Ethnic resort in which various Art Forms of Bastar region were displayed.

The students explored art work like Dhokara art (Lohashilpa)Tuma Art , Terracotta art and Basket weaving (entire process of making of art and study of the composite house where the artists work ). The students also visited C Mart, Anthropological Survey of India (Museum) TIC Tourist Information Center and Souvenir Shop, Bastar Art Gallery, Dalpat Sagar Lake , Heritage Walk ( Jaggannath Temple, Danteshwar Temple , Bastar Palace and BADAL campus .

The students also experienced mesmerizing beauty of Chitrakoot Falls (sunrise)

2019-20

Tour to Goa

Tour Destination: Goa
Dates and Duration: 12^th -18^th Jan 2020
Year and Semester: I Year, II semester
No. of Students: 55
Co-ordinators: Ar. Piyusha Rathor , Ar.Rashmi Thakre, Ar. Samruddhi Amte, Ar. Madhuri Gehani
Objective:

To document Houses of Goa through architectural drawings.
To enhance sensitivity towards Portugal Architecture by documentation through other artistic means like photography, sketching and painting.

Study tour to Goa was organized from 12^th January to 18^th January. Total 55 students were accompanied by four faculty members.

Day 1 i.e. 14^th January was marked with visiting of Fontainhas. It is an old settlement in Panaji which maintains its Portuguese influence, particularly through its architecture, which includes narrow and picturesque winding streets like those found in many European cities, old villas and buildings with projecting balconies painted in the traditional tones of pale yellow, green, or blue, and roofs made of red coloured tiles. Fontainhas’ heritage ambience represents the traditional Portuguese influence in the area.

Students documented the houses by means of sketching, videography and photography.

The students also experienced evening sunset at Baga Beach on same day.

Day 2 i.e. 15^th January started with visit to Fort Aguada is a well-preserved seventeenth-century Portuguese fort, along with a lighthouse, standing in Goa, on Sinquerim Beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea. On the same day the students interacted with Ar. Gerard D Cunha who is an Indian architect based in Goa, alumnus of the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, he is known for utilizing locally available materials and traditional construction techniques in harmony with its ecosystem.

The students were fortunate to be addressed by him. He has also won wide acclaims for the unusual and vernacular designs of two schools in Goa, Nisha’s Play School and Shiksha Niketan. , set in a lush green valley with a steep slope, created with different levels of spatial experiences connected vertically by a chute for children and stairs. The walls were made from recycled bottles arranged in artistic patterns was the main highlight of the outdoor amphitheater.

‘Houses of Goa’ museum, designed and curated by Ar. Gerard De Cunha , next to the school, was built in a triangular ship- like building made of laterite stones, The museum traces Goan architectural traditions, building materials and styles in an in depth manner.

Day 3 i.e. 16^th January the students experienced the vastness of The Basilica of Bom Jesus, a Roman Catholic basilica located in Goa, India, and is part of the Churches and convents of Goa UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basilica is located in Old Goa, former capital of Portuguese India, and holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier.

Visit to Kala Academy at Panaji, designed by Architect Charles Correa, which is Goa’s cultural institution & center for performing arts was equally thrilling. The students observed and noted the spatial organization in grid pattern and the interesting play of volumes. The illusionary paintings on the walls were mesmerizing and worth appreciating.

Other students went to Paradsinga near Saoner to study a Activity Center and were accompanied by Dr. Sampada Peshwe and Ar. Priyanka Sambare. The place was a traditional house around 200 years old surrounded inside with – plants, dried paper, the people and their pets. The house had a foundation of mud and okra pulp and was built mostly from stone, and wood and bricks and the rich wooden Columns.

The people were working on seed calendars. The concept was very unusual and impressive. After the month end, instead of throwing it in the garbage, it would be planted and grown in a plant. The students were fortunate to observe the entire processing of the paper, at the House which was very diligently converted into a workplace. It had self designed machines which could be used manually.

The entire aim of their project was to provide a living to mentally traumatized women of their village to ensure their well being and provide employment to them. The overall experience was very exciting since it enabled the students not only to know about the innovative art of paper processing but also the organization of spaces of composite nature i.e. Living and working in same premises.

Tour to Udaipur

1. Tour Destination: Udaipur and Mount Abu, Rajasthan
3. Dates and Duration: 12^th -18^th Dec 2019
5. Year and Semester: II Year, IV semester
7. No. of Students: 58
9. Co-odinators: Ar. Seema Burele and Ar.Harpreet Saggu.
11. Objective:
- To learn and understand the heritage of Udaipur through spatial planning, building elements and climate responsive design strategies applied in palaces.
- To understand the concept of spiritual center, the space requirements, importance of landscaping and building form.
To interact with architects from the city to understand their design philosophy through projects.

Study tour to Udaipur and Mount Abu was organized from 12^th December to 18^th December. Total 58 students were accompanied by two faculty members. Heritage walk was organized in collaboration with INTACH Udaipur Chapter on 14^th December 2019 guided by Mr. Gaurav Singhvi , Co-convener Udaipur INTACH Chapter. Students explored architectural spaces and its characteristics while moving within City Palace Museum. Shri. Bhupinder SinghAuwa explained about its History and its water supply systems which are still working within the premise.Mr.Rahul Shukla showed how the restoration is done today, using the ancient techniques. He further explained practically the three layered plastering technique used in the palace.

Interactive session with cities well known architects Ar. Sunil Laddha and Ar. Rahul Daiya energized the students with their work by understanding the design approach and detailing done in their project. ‘Stone ideas’ the only destination for natural stones, finished and unfinished with different textures were also visited. The direct application of the same textured stone as a cladding material was seen in one of the residential project visited by student. Interactive session with an alumni Ar. Swati Makhija added another feathers to the cap of SMM College of architecture.

Ms.Iti Kachhava explained about the architecture of Jagdish Temple.She further added on the vastushastra of the temple. Students explored Jagmandir, Bagaur Ki Haveli &Gangaur Ghat. Folk dance of colourful Udaipur and walk through the old city area was very well enjoyed by all.

Students also visited the Bramhakumari Spiritual centre at Mount Abu and other centre situated on Abu road, where in they studied the accommodation facility, kitchen and dining area, meditation hall and other transition spaces within the campus. The campuses on Abu road have solar plant which is used for kitchen activity, for electricity generation and other purposes too.

Students overall enjoyed the tour along with studying and exploration of historical places, culture of the place, architectural characteristics, methods of restoration, services of olden times still running smoothly, uses of natural stones as a cladding material and design approach of architects through their projects.

Bangalore Study Tour Report (6th Semester)

There were 63 students accompanied by 3 teachers- Ar. Akanksha Agarwala, Ar. Anuradha Bhute, Ar. Sneha Tirale

The sixth semester design Brief focuses on Botique Hotel as the Major Design Proble). The study tour was planned accordingly to Bangalore to understand the various aspects of planning of Hotels such as context of the city, Site level Functions, Cirulation, Zoning and Services etc. The identified study areas were La Marvella Hotel, Davanam Sarovar Portico Suites, Johnson Howard Hotel. We visited National Gallery of Modern Arts, Indian Musical Experience – A Museum of Musical Experience. An interactive Session was also conducted with Ar. Sanjay Moye to give students an insight about planning of Hotel.

We visited Orion Mall and Indian Musical Experience which gave students some entertainment time to revive themselves out of the busy schedule. All in all, it was a good experience for all and also some fun. Tours are good occasion for students and teachers to bond together

Start your inspired journey
with SMMCA

Get in touch

About SMMCA

Smt Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture offers a five year degree course in Architecture (B.Arch), two year post graduate course (M.Arch in Architecture Education and Urban Planning) and Ph.D. in architecture.