This isn’t your typical architecture talk—it’s a journey with a nomadic firm that calls both Ladakh and Ahmedabad home. Splitting their year between rugged mountain landscapes and vibrant cityscapes, they’ve roamed across India’s north, gathering wild stories, quirky lessons, and plenty of inspiration along the way.
Join us for an inspiring evening where Faiza Khan and Suril Patel spill the secrets behind their travel-infused practice. From unexpected detours to eye-opening encounters, discover how each adventure has shaped their unique design philosophy.

" Architectural conservation in the Indian subcontinent, has in recent years gradually moved  beyond monumental structures towards vernacular architecture. These spaces are gaining  prominence within anthropological research and are valued for the material praxis they embody.  Vernacular buildings are becoming a site for study, not only for their relationships with the local  ecosystems but also for their feasibility and sustainability vis-a-vis the resources they draw upon.  They are indexes which connect the local to the regional, the tangible and intangible cultural  heritage, and finally rediscovering a narrative around commons. As fragile ecosystems in various  parts of the Himalayas are finding ways to deal with climate change and a global economy,  vernacular spaces are trying to rediscover erstwhile practices and formations in order to survive."

A travel based design studio to understand the vernacular architecture of Ladakh  and design in response to it. Vernacular built forms all over the world are observed to  be intuitive, sustainable and community driven. The workshop prompts the students  to explore context responsive buildings within the background of Ladakh, its local  materials and their craft. Ladakh being at the cusp of a very fast cultural-economic shift  makes it a place to explore the true potential for this project.

A travel based design studio to understand the vernacular architecture of Ladakh  and design in response to it. Vernacular built forms all over the world are observed to  be intuitive, sustainable and community driven. The workshop prompts the students  to explore context responsive buildings within the background of Ladakh, its local  materials and their craft. Ladakh being at the cusp of a very fast cultural-economic shift  makes it a place to explore the true potential for this project.

In 2016, we, Faiza and Suril, had an opportunity and a profound learning experience while conducting Solar and Earth building course at SECMOL campus for a group of young minds who were interested in climate responsive construction techniques in Ladakh. It was a two year long course, training and equipping the students with all aspects of passive solar and earth building construction which they can then practice independently and confidently. The course was organized and assisted by Sonam Wangchuk and Konchok Norgay who have been teaching passive solar and earthen construction techniques and propagating natural building construction in Ladakh for years. Several students from this course have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs, and practicing sustainable construction in Himalayas.