In this exclusive session, Anurag Bhandari, principal designer of Ek Kalakaar Design Studio, sheds light on the importance of a sustainable and circular design approach in today’s scenario. He opens with a candid observation on the general apathy toward sustainable practices in design. Emphasizing on mindful usage of resources to showcase the art of making the best from the waste, he shows how sustainable designs can also be “cool & trendy.” From pointing out the landfill problems to explaining how Ek Kalakaar tackles waste, this session is a must-watch for sustainable design enthusiasts.
The current rate of overconsumption and resource exploitation far exceeds the Earth’s capacity to regenerate. If every Indian consumed resources like an average American, humanity would need nine more Earths to sustain that level of consumption. Circular design emerges as a necessary alternative to the prevailing linear production-consumption-disposal model.
Designers practice circular design by embedding sustainability across a product’s entire lifecycle: they source materials responsibly, manufacture with minimal waste, enable reuse, repair, and remanufacturing, and ensure the product can be dismantled and absorbed back into a material ecosystem.
Designers must shift from a product mindset to a system mindset by considering the environmental implications of material sourcing, use, and disposal right from the outset.
Anurag narrates a personal trajectory, from salvaging food in the U.S. to working in steel industries in India, revealing firsthand experiences of industrial waste and pollution. Constraints like financial hardship led to experimentation with found and discarded materials, sparking a practice built entirely around waste-led design.
Anurag runs Ek Kalaka Designs, a studio focused on using industrial and post-consumer waste, such as tyres, slag, FRP sheets, plywood scraps, and electronic waste, to create aesthetically compelling and functional furniture and interior spaces.
Architects and designers are encouraged to take a stand, not just by designing sustainably, but by influencing clients’ choices. The speaker emphasizes that good design today must consider repairability, recyclability, and the environmental footprint of materials.
Circular design is not a new concept. India has long practiced versions of it in domestic life, such as repurposing old clothes. What’s needed is a collective and conscious scaling up of these instincts into systemic, creative, and professional practices. Designers must collaborate, innovate, and push back against unsustainable norms. Circularity isn’t a trend; it’s a necessity. Further, only by embedding it into our design ethos can we begin to restore balance to a planet strained to its limits.
Tucked within the leafy lanes of Sagar Society, Hyderabad, this 7,450 sq. ft. villa rises as a contemporary residence deeply anchored in tradition and nature. Three towering trees frame the structure at its entry, their organic silhouettes tempering the scale of the built form and setting the stage for a home that balances architectural gravitas […]
Rooted in a newer extension of the vibrant city of Ahmedabad, this abode represents a fine tune of modern design sensibility with timeless material expression and spatial volumetric connections. A home for a family of 4 which balances openness with privacy, functionality with aesthetics and luxury with warmth. The physical orientation of the east facing […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
“Even within the smallest green lies all the purity and freshness of Eden.” This idea became the seed for Eden Moss, a home nestled in an ecological environment and imagined as a breath of freshness, evoking the scent of mud after rain, and seamlessly intertwined with nature while still embracing comfort and contextual charm. Nestled […]
Adorn, a home filled with earthen design and the laughter of a family of four, nestles in the peaceful neighborhood of Selvapuram, Coimbatore. “On one side, it shares boundaries with cozy family homes; meanwhile, the other side opens to expansive fields dotted with tall trees.” The fresh air scented with greenery sets a calming atmosphere […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]
The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]