Archiloop India Foundation | August 9, 2020 "Akash is an architect and a product designer from National Institute of Design who specializes in Furniture and Interior Design, and has hands-on experience in sustainable design and alternate building materials. He has been working as a Design Head for Trident Group of companies previously handling projects from the scale of Industrial Architecture to Retail Design. Currently, he is also associated with National Bamboo mission and M/s Aakaar Associates as a Design Partner. Studio Design-O-Pedia - A design cell formed with an idea of providing the complete and customized design solutions with all support services. The studio works at different scales - from product Design, architecture, to policy and planning level solutions. The intent is also to bridge the gap between design, execution and planning, resulting in a time-effective, cost-effective and smooth model of execution. Broadly divided into two wings, the first wing deals with the projects within human scale ranging from product, furniture and interior design and second wing deals with projects like public building architecture, residential architecture, planning and policy level studies and analysis." Webinar Video:- https://youtu.be/JygWoTge_z8 Presentation: - https://bit.ly/3w5kdIm Get Connected Instagram:- https://bit.ly/2PBEGEm YouTube:- https://bit.ly/2ZD3y1o Facebook:- https://bit.ly/3jnwP7Q LinkedIn:- https://bit.ly/3u0VbsO Twitter:- https://bit.ly/3curGtf Our Global network of attendees:- https://bit.ly/31rZHnK #stayintheloop #archiloopindia #AIF Archiloop India Foundation contactus@archiloopindia.in www.archiloopindia.in

1. Breathing with
Bamboo
Possibilities in Bamboo
Akash Bakshi Studio Designopedia
Archiloop

2. India is 2nd Largest in
Bamboo Production
after China
Collectively both countries
produce more than half of
total production in the world
____________________
We are also the second
largest Importer of Bamboo

3. Emerging Experiences
with Bamboo
Contents of the presentation:
● A brief Background about myself
● NID ENSAD Workshop
● Craft Cluster Development
● Bamboo in Practice

4. Remembering the
Legends

5. A brief
Background
Material Experiments

6. Anangpur Building Center
The Days of curiosity and
Learning

7. Responsible Design
Local Materials
Material Sensitivity

9. A Consciousness about materials is as
simple and rare as common sense.
Bamboo is sustainable
Does that mean using plastic is not??
Or its only a matter of context?
Would love your views on it in second part
of session.

12. ENSAD-NID
Bamboo Workshop
An Eyeopener: Bamboo
and Experience

13. Understanding Bamboo as a Material
Understanding Bamboo as an Expression
Creating an Experience
Form Follows Material

14. One Knife and you can
do wonders

16. Celebrating Elasticity
Forms in Nature
Dynamism

19. Perceive it
Use it

21. Understanding the
Grains

30. Breathing Bamboo
A Living Partition

31. Being in
Madhya Pradesh
The un-explored heritage

35. Introduction
with ‘The Basods’
People with curious eyes

36. Purpose of the workshop-
● Cross learning: To understand the skill set at disposal at the
Rahatgaon bamboo cluster by giving them training in
making new designs in bamboo for small hospitality as well
as mass consumption products, furniture and lighting
fixtures keeping in mind the current demands of the
market.
● To understand the infrastructural requirements (space,
tools, distribution etc.) at the cluster to produce high
quality products.
● To understand the ground level conditions (location,
bamboo quality & properties) and cultural backdrop of
the craftsmen to generate design briefs (usage, possible
markets etc.) and marketing strategies.
● To get an experience in working with craftsmen and
understand the challenges involved in craft based
production.
Harda Bamboo Craft Cluster Workshop
Based on an initial meeting with the Mission Director of MP State
Bamboo Mission Mr. B B Singh, we studied the existing range of
products made by the state’s bamboo craftsmen and have also
studied the work produced by other state clusters and work done
with bamboo both on national and international level. After this study
we have developed a few designs and offered a two day training in
making them to the craftsmen at the Rahatgaon bamboo cluster on
17th and 18th September, 2016.

37. DAY-1
9.00 am - 9.45 am
We started the workshop by giving a small orientation of
placement of craft sector in context of market and their value
and role. We also told them about our plan for the two days
and asked about their interest areas. We had asked to local
authorities to ask the craftsmen to bring a sample of their work.
After looking at the variety of craft samples, we decided to
divide the craftsmen into four groups each covering and
exploring different categories of craft. The groups were:
GROUP#1: Hospitality Furniture
GROUP#2: Small hospitality & consumer products
GROUP#3: Lifestyle products in weaving
GROUP#4: Weaving and material preparation related support
for the rest of three groups.
10.00 am - 10.15 am
After looking at the products already made at the cluster, we
selected some products for further design improvement and
others as sample explorations that could be developed into
completely new products. We also had designed few
concepts before going for the workshop. We then decided
what tasks to give to each group and exact products they will
be working on so that time could be utilised efficiently and we
can study the work pattern of the craftsmen in detail and their
understanding & interpretation of design related instruction
given to them.
Activities During The Workshop
10.15 am - 1.30 pm
We started prototyping different designs with each of the
group and gave detailed instructions to each member of the
group defining their individual task and their role in overall
making of the products by their group. Following products
were put into prototyping:
GROUP#1 • Valet Mirror • Room Partition • Woven top stool
GROUP#2 • Candle with stand • Cube Table Lamp • Cable
manager
GROUP#3 • Weaving free-form exploration • Bamboo seat
cushion • Structural and utility based weaving
GROUP#4 • Bamboo chick weaving • Bamboo split for
weaving and furniture groups.
2.15 pm - 8.00 pm
As the prototypes began to advance, we felt the need to
assign individual tasks to each craftsmen for effective
utilisation of their time. So we gave each craftsman individual
task with a deadline and told them clearly the next stage of
their work so that they can coordinate their timing and speed
with each other. A few trips were also made to the nearby
local market to procure some additional exploratory material.
We also felt need to improvise some tools as they were not
available at the cluster and were very crucial to complete the
prototype and explore maximum potential of the craftsmen.
So we spent the last hours of the day in preparing jigs to bend
the bamboo next day. Additionally some of the material
needed overnight drying and preparation to take it to next
stage, we prepared the material for overnight setting and
concluded the first day of the workshop.

39. DAY-2
8.00 am - 9.00 am
While waiting for the craftsmen to assemble for work, we
reflected on our learnings from the first day and observation on
the material and cultural backdrop of the place. We
improvised on our designs accordingly and planned the
prototype completion by the end of the day.
9.00 am - 1.30 pm
The material was processed and ready for next stage of
prototyping. We gave individual instructions to the craftsmen
with deadlines. By this time we had a clearer understanding of
individual skills and potential, so we divided the task
accordingly to get maximum output and polish the personal
skills of the craftsmen. We had also identified important tools
that are very crucial for getting quality product out of this
cluster. We informally presented the work-in-progress to the
Harda DFO and his team and communicated our observations
to them verbally. We also discussed different resources
available in the area like natural pigments, vernacular finishing
materials, other craft clusters of different materials and
medium (textile, wood etc.). We discussed different species of
bamboo and wood available in the area and their properties
and usage.
Activities During The Workshop
3.00 pm - 4.00 pm
The last hour of the workshop was spent in assembling the
prototypes together from individual parts that were being
made by different craftsmen. Had a detailed discussion with
each craftsman individually on improving quality and
productivity explaining the needs and expectations of end
user. We documented all the products made during the
workshop and concluded with further instructions for second
prototypes. Additionally we asked the craftsmen to practice
the new techniques, structures and proportions that were tried
during the workshop.

41. Reflections and constraints
● Based on our experience at the cluster we have following
reflections to share. We have also identified a number of
constraints that are keeping the craftsmen from producing
high quality goods.
GROUP#1: Hospitality Furniture Reflections.
● The material needs some more explorations in form and
properties to make more usable and marketable products.
● If designs are planned for production beforehand, we would
have exact specific material requirement even before we
start making the furniture out of it. This “harvesting pattern
aligned design” means the bamboo can be grown and
harvested according to design requirement of each product
making bamboo an agricultural and industrial resource.
● The group skill and speed is good, they just need appropriate
tools for quality and speedy production.
● Introduction of modularity and standardised design and
template-jig based production will make a big difference in
both efficiency and quality of goods.
● New set of joineries can be developed to make high-end
and export quality products.
CONSTRAINTS
● Following tools are very important to make good quality
furniture: - Lathe Machine - Sander - Basic hand-tool kit for
furniture makers - Workshop table - Metal Fabrication facility
(basic) - Sawhorse - Needle files - Rasp Surform - Circular Drills -
Clamps (table and C)
Harda Bamboo Craft Cluster Workshop

42. GROUP#2: Small Hospitality & Consumer Products
Reflections
● These are easy-return and very small investment products
that can be immediately put to production as they require
less infrastructure and time to make.
● Creating export ready products.
● Micro detailing and finishing is the key factor to be kept in
mind while putting a design to production. This means a very
high level of skill and quality management (template based
production, and standardised design) is required to make a
difference and identity in this segment. Export Standards
CONSTRAINTS.
● Due to lack of appropriate tools, almost 50% of their time is
spent in preparing basic material for the products. Following
tools are very important to make high quality consumer
products: - Split Jig - Split finishing machine - Hand held tools -
Work stations.
● Also the weaving techniques are very constrained and lack
variety. A co-learning and collaborating set-up with local
weavers under a designer’s guidance will be very effective in
bringing variety and versatility in this segment.
● A workshop specifically with weavers from other states with
rich weaving and basketry traditions like Kerala, Manipur etc.
will be highly useful.

43. GROUP#3: Lifestyle products in weaving
GROUP#4: Weaving and material preparation related
support for the rest of three groups
Reflections
● More colors and gradients need to be explored.
● Cross Cluster learning
● Material handling and skill needs to be improved. •
Standardization of design and template based
production will be very helpful.
Lantana stem Weaving
Harda Bamboo Craft Cluster Workshop
CONSTRAINTS.
● Split making machines are needed.
● Basketery training with other state and medium
needed.

44. Budhni Wood
turning
Reviving a craft

45. ● Turned wood toys has been the specialty of this small
place in Madhya Pradesh, called as 'Budhni". The place
has prominent importance, as it is regarded as
constituency of CM Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan.
● This place was earlier, very well known for manufacturing
toys from the locally grown wood moreover,tiny colorful
strollers for kids
● .The art of locals craftsman, earlier was locally evident,
which has drastically declined over the years.
● It is painful, rather than retaining the occupation of
craftsmen, occupational shift is evident.
● At present, there are only 6-7 family working as the
craftsman since their ancestral market is majorly
replaced by plastics and giant retail companies.
Ironically, It is the right time to retain the art, as it depicts
the image of the city. These craft-men use lac colours
and, unique natural methods of coating wood
furthermore, they use local CP Teak from jungles from
the local area which they used to get illegally,
● Due to scarcity of raw material, low profits, plastic
competitors and lack of policies for intangible heritage
they are struggling to earn bread and butter and are
rapidly, trying to switch to other modes of earning.
● If we do not help the cluster, it might become only a
part of history with an end to unique and sustainable
coating techniques they use.
We identified a bamboo cluster in a small village called
Timarni and had linked both clusters. A training program has
been imparted to the locals, we were amazed to know, these
craft-men, irrespective of there educational qualification are
eager to preserve their vanishing heritage, they use a material
which is exponentially cheap and strong enough to replace
teak wood.

46. Facilitation
of CFCs
Products, Market

48. Finished Wood Alternative
Market acceptance by greater
market
Rediscovering the Image of
Bamboo

63. Plan of Action
Phases

64. Outline Plan

65. Development of strategy: Holistic vs Focus area

66. After successfully completing the pilot project, since we
would have a team and better understanding of cluster
capacity, we would like to take the cluster into live
ongoing projects we are taking up as a company.
Some of the innovative approaches we would like to
explore further with bamboo are:
More than human scale: Explore architectural/space
possibilities This phase complies with usage of bamboo in
ongoing architectural and interior projects with definitive
clientele. This would comprise of
A. Hospitality tents: Luxury glamping set up including tent
structure, furniture and theme related utility products.
(TO START WITH THIS CATEGORY in first phase)
B. Architectural facade-railing and internal wall
cladding: since bamboo experimentation on
architectural scale is relatively new there is a lot of scope
of achieving new horizons. The project we do would
become briefs to launch new products. after adding
another dimension of modularity to it
● Human Scale: Furniture, artifacts, lighting products
● Less than human scale: Lifestyle accessories, souvenirs,
corporate gifting, toys, detailed product development.
Scope Identification

70. Structure screen with
suspended tents casting a
shadow on tent.

72. Creating curves out of straight bamboos
With identical repeatitive components

73. Where do you see a Hyperbolic Paraboloid in
Everyday Life?

76. A surface contact joinery for variable bamboo diameters

77. Salient Features

78. Alternate Joinery system to reduce installation time.

79. Can be assembled in less than an hour with less ladder work

83. Tying the Splits for floor

86. Floor treatment

90. Applications:
Hospitality & Events
High end hospitality festivals, melas, luxury
travel programmes and wedding or corporate
events.
Can be carried to the locations, assembled for
usage and flat-packed again to store.
Luxury Personal Accommodation
Personal accommodations in Farm houses,
orchids or the land where construction is not
allowed as per land use.
Can be a mobile habitable asset for personal
use.
Medical & Education centers.
Can be used as a low cost housing or a
temporary housing pertaining to a project.
Can also be used as a temporary and mobile
rural education or medical camp.
Emergency situations
Can be used in the pandemic situations or at
the time of natural calamities where quick
temporary accommodation is required and
can be mass produced at low cost.

91. In Practice
Selling the Bamboo Story

92. A Mediteranion Facade

93. Bamboo Cover casting shadows

94. Bamboo and Modern Architecture

95. A Modern Facade with Bamboo Cover and Side Wall

96. Screen on top and on wall

97. The Groove between the
screens

98. Screens and Shadow

99. Next step is to create
bamboo systems in
architecture minimizing the
use of steel and using
bamboo as a structural
material.

100. Pushing a step
further...
The Bamboo Staircase

101. Complete Staircase perceived as one
object.

102. From the top

103. Crime Partner

104. Akash Bakshi Studio Designopedia
Archiloop
Akash Bakshi
Studio Designopedia
7000 623 863
thedesignopedia@gmail.com
https://studiodesignopedia.weebly.com/
Instagram: Studiodesignopedia
A.k.a.s.h.b.a.k.s.h.i