Kursusinformation

People and Nature
Kotagiri, India

The Nilgiri Mountain range with its unique biocultural diversity, is the first Biosphere Reserve in India recognised by the UN. It is occupied by several tribal communities that have protected and known the Shola forests and grasslands for thousands of years. Nestled here is the campus for the Keystone foundation, an NGO that has been working to empower indigenous people and the local community by building socio-ecological resilience since 25 years.  Over the years, they have developed their campus with spaces for developing livelihood security, agriculture and food security, land and community rights, community health and development, and conservation of biodiversity through the socio-ecological growth of all life in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

Now that this campus is close to completion, Keystone foundation requires a ‘People and Nature Centre’, an interface between its work and the general public. The building is envisaged as a reception to welcome visitors and raise awareness about the work of the foundation, and will have spaces for education and interaction such as classrooms, workshop spaces, permanent exhibition spaces, audiovisual section and more.

Students will have the opportunity to work with a real site and real requirements and receive inputs and feedback from people on the ground in South India on design development including materials and construction details. A site visit is not offered as part of the course, but will be supported if funds become available. Virtual site visit data will be shared.