RURAL DOCUMENTATION TRIP TO ANEGUNDI-BUKKASAGARA-HAMPI IN COLLABORATION WITH INTACH ANEGUNDI

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING THROUGH INDUSTRY COLLABORATION AND VISIT

Faculty coordinator: Ar. Roshini M and Ar. Sanjeev Koppar
Activity: Rural documentation trip to Anegundi-Bukkasagara-Hampi
Place of Activity conducted: Anegundi, Bukkasagara and Hampi
Students: 4th semester A
No of Students: 42
No of Faculty: 02
Date: 6th -9th February 2023

About the Event/Activity:
Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Design organized a 3-day immersive rural documentation training program in collaboration with INTACH Anegundi-Hampi Chapter for the 4th semester students as a part of the AD-III and HOA-IV curriculum from 6th to 9th February 2023.

As a part of the HOA-IV studio, three groups consisting of 6 students documented – 3 undocumented Indo-Islamic style structures at Anegundi, namely – Gagan Mahal, Lalith Mahal or Laxmi Mahal and Vinayaka temple.

As a part of the AD-III studio, nine groups consisting of 5 students each were divided into different groups based on parameters like base map, physical infrastructure, social infrastructure, water infrastructure, land use, activity mapping, street character, vernacular housing typologies and design proposal for the existing infrastructure in the Bukkasagara village.
The groups collected all the data through sketches, videos and photos which will be collated for analysis, interpretation and design proposals and interventions.
ITINERARY OF THE TRIP
6th Feb 2023 - DAY 1
• Interaction with Shama Pawar, INTACH Anegundi-Chapter and guided tour by Ar. Vijay Bellary and Mr. Kumarappa (the local guide at Anegundi).
For HOA-IV:
• Gagan Mahal - Sketch, photo and video documentation - 1 group (5-6 students). 
• Lalit Mahal - Sketch, photo and video documentation - 1 group (5-6 students).
• Vinayaka Temple - sketch, photo and video documentation - 1 group (5-6 students)
For AD-III (Case Study Analysis of Anegundi) - 1 group

7th Feb 2023 - DAY 2

• Interaction with Mr. Hulgappa, Gram Panchayath member of Bukkasagara village and Shama Pawar to get an idea of the setting, context, history, and surroundings of Bukkasagara.

For AD - III (Documentation of Bukkasagara) (40 students divided into small groups of 3-4)

• For UNIT 1 of the syllabus- Socio- economic survey, measured drawing of traditional houses (4 houses), socio cultural study, activity mapping (based on time and the kind of activities during the day) and study of street elevations, land use, infrastructure (social, physical, water, electricity) and vegetation mapping (hills, types of trees).
• For UNIT 2 of the syllabus- Detailed study of the square in front of GP office, design proposal for identified public spaces: I&B Building and GP square.

8th Feb 2023 - DAY 3

• Missing data collection at Bukkasagara.
• Sightseeing at Hampi – Vijaya Vithala temple, Lotus Mahal, Elephant stables, Mahanavami Dibba, Group of Monuments at Hemakunta Hill and Virupaksha temple.

Outcome of the study trip:

The students had a hands-on learning experience at both the sites of Anegundi and Bukkasagara. The village of Anegundi acted as a model example, where the students were taken to see adaptive reuse structures of vernacular houses and saw the sustainable practices adopted by the community to promote the banana fiber making process. The students also witnessed the traditional line-making process technique.

The students learnt to work in groups and handle all the challenges and issues of working and documenting on site at Bukkasagara village. The interviews and questionnaire surveys gave the students an understanding of the activities, traditions and cultural life of the villagers. The documentation of vernacular typologies highlighted the spatial planning, the typical vernacular elements of the village, the construction techniques, and the building materials.

All the data collected will be documented in the form of sheets and videos for further analysis, interpretations, and design interventions.

Another significant outcome of the study trip was the signing of the MoU between School of Architecture, REVA University and INTACH Anegundi- Hampi Chapter to ensure future collaborations and sharing of knowledge on heritage related themes. A detailed report of the documentation project will be submitted to INTACH Anegundi for further discussions and execution on the site.

 I would like to thank our Director, Prof. Vidya Srikanth for her immense support in encouraging such initiatives.