In a city grappling with hazardous air quality, particularly during winter, the question, “How can homes breathe easy?” has become increasingly urgent. It’s a question that architects Depanshu Gola and Abhimanyu Singhal, partners at Architecture for Dialogue and Godrej Design Lab Fellows 2024, began exploring in 2021.
Abhimanyu Singhal | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Their journey took them to Madanpur Khadar, one of Delhi’s most densely populated slums, where the indoor air quality often equals or exceeds the outdoor pollution levels. Here, many women still cook with biomass, a significant contributor to indoor air pollution, exacerbating respiratory illnesses and creating a dire need for cleaner environments.
Depanshu Gola | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Through their project, BreatheEasy, Depanshu and Abhimanyu have devised retrofitted spatial interventions that aim to improve indoor air quality without requiring extensive overhauls. These solutions are cost-effective, scalable, and rooted in the socio-economic realities of the communities they serve. It’s this kind of innovation that aligned perfectly with the ethos of the second edition of Conscious Collective, held by Godrej Enterprises Group in Mumbai from December 13 to 15, 2024. The event featured 60+ speakers, 25 installations, 15 talks, and 10+ workshops. Over 3,000 architects and designers registered, along with participation from nearly 40 conscious start-ups, underscoring the event’s pivotal role in driving dialogue and collaboration within the sustainability and design sectors.
Immersive experience created by Svabhu Kohli and Aaron Myles Pereira. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Themed ‘Bridging Horizons for a Sustainable Future’, the event brought together thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers to address critical social and environmental challenges through sustainable practices and groundbreaking installations. This year, the event emphasized ecological responsibility from its inception. In collaboration with the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW), studies on sustainability in urban living and the built environment were prominently featured, encouraging attendees to reconsider their lifestyle choices. Organisers adopted an “enough” approach, ensuring that resource consumption was minimised without sacrificing cultural or visual impact. Materials from previous exhibitions were reused, unnecessary venue alterations were avoided, and every effort was made to reduce the event’s carbon footprint.
“The idea behind Conscious Collective is to build a community where we can find solutions to the challenges of global warming by demonstrating better ways to build and use materials sustainably,” said Nyrika Holkar, Executive Director of Godrej Enterprises Group. “We want it to inspire thoughtful choices without compromising on quality or value.”
Artisanal paper lamps | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The event offered a rich tapestry of experiences, including over 20 unique installations by architects, designers, and students, each reflecting innovative approaches to sustainability. One of the most captivating installations was ‘Rain’ by artist Manav Gupta, which used traditional clay lamps, or diyas, to depict the geometry of falling raindrops, symbolising the fragile balance of ecosystems. Another notable installation, the ‘Beehive Garden Project’, underscored the role of bees in sustaining biodiversity through its clever use of earthen cups, or kulhads, fashioned into beehive structures.
CoolAnt, a biophilic air cooling and purifying installation. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Among the standout contributions was CoolAnt, a biophilic air-cooling solution developed by Noida-based Ant Studio. CoolAnt employs terracotta, a porous clay material, to facilitate evaporative cooling, effectively lowering ambient temperatures without relying on conventional air conditioning. Principal architect Monish Siripurapu explained that the system not only cools but also purifies the air, merging traditional techniques with modern needs. “Our architecture focuses on climate-responsive design, using local materials and traditional methods to minimise energy dependency and reduce the carbon footprint,” he said. “At Conscious Collective, we showcased recycled terracotta cooling systems, which we’ve implemented in projects like a commercial space in Jaipur. This project alone offsets 40,000 kg of CO2 annually, and we aim to scale these efforts to 10,000 projects, potentially offsetting 400 million kg of CO2.”
Plant music by Tarun Nayar. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The event also highlighted the Godrej Design Lab Fellowship Program, a platform that has nurtured emerging talent in sustainable design, material innovation, and socially impactful projects. This year, five fellows showcased their work, including Murubi, a project by Baroda-based designers Jaymin Panchasara and Shwetha Iyengar, which focuses on handcrafted products that blend timelessness with sustainability. Another project, STUDIONORTH, led by Rahul Bhushan, drew from ancient Himalayan building techniques like dhajji dewari and kathkuni, methods that are not only earthquake-resistant but also environmentally sustainable. Nitisha Agrawal’s Smokeless Cookstove Foundation provided a socially impactful solution by training marginalized communities to create zero-cost, improved mud cookstoves that reduce indoor air pollution and promote self-reliance. Meanwhile, Bhakti Loonawat and Suyash Sawant’s project Anomalia combined bioplastics with large-scale 3D printing of clay composites to develop sustainable materials for architecture and design.
Engaging discussions featured thought leaders like Dr. Ken Yeang on nature-based architecture and Sanjay Puri on circular design, while a panel with BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and Jamshyd Godrej explored sub-national climate action.
One of the most compelling examples of sustainable design presented at the event was the Noka Village Community Center, located in Rajasthan’s Barmer district. Designed by Sanjay Puri, the building is a remarkable case study in adapting architecture to its natural surroundings. Constructed entirely from sandstone sourced locally in Jodhpur, the center not only minimizes its environmental impact but also blends harmoniously into the desert landscape. Its library, encased in stone screens, stays naturally cool by reducing heat gain. Water scarcity was addressed through a nine-lakh-liter rainwater harvesting tank, which collects enough water annually to sustain the building’s gardening and essential facilities without any external supply. The excavated earth from the tank was repurposed to create berms that shield the structure from the desert heat, while a rooftop garden enhances insulation and fosters biodiversity. Despite outside temperatures soaring to 42 degrees Celsius, the library remains comfortably cool without fans or air conditioning, demonstrating the power of sustainable design.
Adding a research-driven dimension to the event, the Conscious Trend Report was launched in collaboration with CEEW, providing valuable insights into sustainable living and design practices. From immersive installations to grassroots solutions, Conscious Collective 2024 offered an inspiring glimpse into the future of sustainability, underscoring the power of thoughtful design to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Hexa Deck | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The future of Conscious Collective likely includes embracing emerging technologies, such as virtual collaborations and hybrid events, to connect with a broader, global audience. This approach ensures that sustainability and innovation remain central to its mission.
Inclusivity will also remain a cornerstone of the initiative, amplifying diverse voices from various communities, industries, and cultures. By doing so, Conscious Collective aims to cultivate a holistic and equitable approach to design and sustainability. As it evolves, the initiative will continue to build on its strong foundation.
Published - January 10, 2025 04:31 pm IST
