On 2nd April, the students of JD Institute of Fashion Technology got an opportunity to take a deep dive into the domain of architecture through a field visit. The students visited the office of Ar. Pradeep Sachdeva, who is a pioneer in the field of architecture. Jediiians learnt the nuances of architecture by witnessing the process of re-building the Kerala House through a 45 minutes long video. The students were accompanied by two faculty members from the interior design department to help the students better understand the complex processes.

The day proved to be a promising event for the students as they got the chance to learn the design and thought process that is involved in the restoration of the Kerala Visit. Another highlight of this field trip was the visit to the 300-years-old house. Our students were taken aback by the design execution and the grandeur of the architecture. This vintage structure is beautifully crafted and has a roof that tells the tale of unmatched craftsmanship. The age-old Kerala architecture was on display and the Jediiians got a glimpse of opulence through this vintage structure. What further added to their surprise was the fact that this house has been entirely made of timber and no nails were used.

What is absolutely breathtaking about this structure is the very fact that it has been moved from Kerala to the rural Gurugram. The house or Meda (commonly called in Kerala) has travelled almost 2600 km from a remote location in Kerala. The architect Mr. Pradeep Sachdeva collaborated with local carpenters with his lofty idea and after a year of hard work, the ancestral house has finally moved to the NCR region. The house was dismantled part by part and it was later re-constructed in the new location. While doing so, the architect has taken certain liberties in the design by adding some elements. He has added another floor and the house also has modern-day amenities. To quote Mr. Sachdeva, “The house has two floors and the ground floor was made in stone earlier. I replaced it with bricks. I also added toilets and electricity to the house.”

This field trip was significant for the interior design students as they were able to grasp the knowledge of the design process that goes behind the restoration of the old buildings. The interior design faculty, Ms. Rini Saha and Ms. Jasmine who accompanied the students answered all their inquisitive questions while explaining various aspects of the structure to them. This field trip was a success with active participation from the students. The Jediiians were elated with this visit and it showed on their happy faces.