INI Design Studio’s Post

For our next ‘Changemakers’ feature, we are highlighting Monish Siripurapu and his work at Ant Studio and CoolAnt. Monish, a Solar Decathlon India jury member, is the CEO and Founder of Ant Studio. Ant Studio has developed AeroLeaf™, a terracotta building envelope system that promotes natural cooling through evaporative surfaces and a nozzle effect. Shaped like a leaf, it shades, ventilates, and cools spaces by channelling air along its porous, water-storing modules.  The studio recently used this in a commercial project in Bilaspur Chhattisgarh. The building is oriented towards the southwest direction, with more emphasis on the west than the south. Its facade is designed to capture part of the sun as it moves from south to west. The resulting design is a parametric facade where sunlight enters the building for most of the day, creating a beautiful interplay of light and shadows. All this without obstructing the view from the inside! #SDI #ChangeMakers #SDIchangemakers #DesignChallenge #StudentCompetition #NetZeroEnergy #NetZeroWater #NetZero #EnergyEfficiency #Architecture #Engineering #Buildings #Construction #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #BuildLess #BuildSmart #WhatsItAllAbout #smartwaystobuild #buildlessbuildsmart

Shaping Safer Cities through Architecture! The Department of Architecture at NIT Hamirpur, in collaboration with AIESEC, successfully hosted a one-day workshop focused on Creating Crime-Free Cities through Architectural Innovations. The workshop highlighted how thoughtful urban design and strategic planning can play a pivotal role in fostering safer and more inclusive communities. Experts and participants explored innovative approaches to integrate safety measures into city layouts, public spaces, and infrastructure. This initiative represents a powerful step toward blending architectural excellence with social responsibility, paving the way for a more secure and harmonious urban future. 🌍 #ArchitectureForChange #CrimeFreeCities #UrbanDesign #NITHamirpur #AIESEC

The Lepakshi Hanging Pillars: Engineering Marvel or Mistake? In the small town of Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh, India, there's a temple called the Veerabhadra Temple. This temple, built in the 16th century, is famous for its stunning architecture. But one thing stands out more than anything else: a pillar that doesn't touch the ground. The Mysterious Pillars: Inside the temple, there are 70 stone pillars, but one of them hangs slightly above the floor. People often slide a piece of cloth or paper under it to see if it really is hanging, and it always passes through. This floating pillar has puzzled many for years. Is it a clever piece of engineering or just a lucky mistake? Engineering Marvel: Some believe the hanging pillar shows how advanced the builders were. They think the pillar was made this way on purpose to show off their skills and understanding of weight and balance. If this is true, it means the builders of the temple were incredibly smart and knew exactly what they were doing. Architectural Mistake: Others think the hanging pillar might be a mistake. Maybe the pillar was supposed to touch the ground like the others, but something went wrong during construction. Or maybe the ground shifted over time, causing the pillar to lift slightly. This idea suggests that the hanging pillar could be an accident that just happened to turn out well. The Ongoing Mystery: Whether the hanging pillar is a brilliant piece of ancient engineering or just a happy accident, it still fascinates everyone who sees it. It reminds us of the amazing things people could do in the past, even without modern technology. What do you think? Is the hanging pillar a clever piece of engineering or just a mistake? Let us know your thoughts! #india #innovation #engineering #design #education #technology

Glimpses from the conference held at CEPT University on Urban Design in India. Ar. Saumil Mevada, Director - Urban Planning / Architecture, INI Design Studio, discussed Urban Expansion in the context of Rajkot Smart City development, which has been envisioned and developed as a city having world class, smart physical infrastructure with utilities that are environment friendly, sustainable, functionally smart and technology driven. As architects and planners, we bear a vital responsibility in shaping our built environment with sustainability at its core. Emphasizing the same, Ar. Saumil spoke about the project entailing both preserving and cultivating open spaces like parks, waterfronts, and recreational areas to foster a lively public sphere and uphold ecological equilibrium. Additionally, the strategy focuses on the promotion of mixed land use, aiming to optimize land efficiency and cluster complementary activities in proximity to each other. #architecture #urbanplanning #urbandesign #urbandevelopment #sustainability #cept #ceptuniversity #rajkot #smartcity #gujarat

Jharkhand’s architectural heritage is a captivating reflection of its rich history and cultural diversity, blending influences that have evolved over centuries. Let's learn about Jharkhand's architecture with this blog - https://lnkd.in/gqcrrF_C #architectureofjharkhand #jharkhand #architecture

Baagan Dooar isn't just an architectural project - it's my love letter to Silchar and a vision for sustainable tourism in Assam. By blending our rich cultural heritage with an innovative eco-friendly design, I hope to create a space that not only attracts visitors but uplifts our entire community. I've put my work into words. You can read the full article by following the link below. 👇 #SustainableArchitecture #AssamTea #ArchitectureThesis

This is the talk regenerative architecture

Amitabh Sarma: Pioneering sustainable architecture and urban development in Assam✨ Amitabh Sarma, Proprietor of Akar Foundation, shares his journey of transforming spaces through sustainable design, community upliftment, and innovative urban development in Assam. Read More - https://lnkd.in/dnJACFX6 Video - https://lnkd.in/dYNenFk7 AMITABH SARMA AKAR PMC & CONSTRUCTION Indrajeet Saoji Rashmi Naicker #coworkingspaces #coworkingarea #coworkinglife #officelife #officespaces #offices #commercialdesignitp

We designed a window module that seamlessly integrates tradition with innovation. At its core are inverted funnel-shaped, handcrafted mud pots, which enhance ventilation and lighting while adding a distinct character to the architecture. Using the Venturi effect, the module facilitates air exchange—drawing cool air indoors and naturally expelling hot air. The unique shape also diffuses sunlight, creating soft, glare-free illumination while maintaining thermal comfort. These pots are crafted by the skilled local potter community of Jharkhand, molded and fired with traditional techniques to ensure durability and thermal efficiency. After being transported to the site, the pots are carefully embedded into the structure using locally sourced materials, ensuring a stable and seamless integration into the design. The result is a perfect blend of functionality and aesthetics. By merging local craftsmanship, scientific principles, and sustainable construction, this project celebrates heritage while redefining modern architecture. #terracotta #jharkhand #india #sustainable #architecture #architect #greenbuilding #zeroenergy

Innovation in Water Management: Spotlight on India’s Stepwells India’s stepwells are some of the most remarkable examples of ancient water engineering and architecture. Built as far back as 600 AD, these structures served dual purposes: they provided access to water and acted as community gathering spaces. Stepwells were designed to manage fluctuating water levels in arid regions. Their intricate, multi-tiered staircases allowed people to reach water even during dry seasons. But these were more than just functional—they were architectural masterpieces, often adorned with carvings and elaborate designs. One of the most famous stepwells is the Rani Ki Vav in Gujarat, a #UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its design is not only practical but also a testament to the ingenuity and artistry of its time. These structures remind us that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about understanding the environment and designing solutions that adapt to it. Stepwells may be centuries old, but they still offer lessons for managing water scarcity in a sustainable way. Photo credit to Wikipedia. #Water #Sustainability #Stepwells #AncientEngineering #WaterManagement #QanatSeries #Innovation