Join us at Arthshila Ahmedabad for a talk with Lakshmi Swaminathan, author of the book, ‘A Call to Return: A Journey with Didi Contractor’. The session will be preceded by a film screening of ‘Earth Crusader’.

DETAILS
Date: 28 September 2024 | Saturday
Time: 4.30 pm onwards.

A Call to Return emerges from a collection of transcripts of conversations that Didi had with students and admirers in the last decade of her life. Collated by her student Lakshmi Swaminathan, this book covers Didi’s biography, philosophy, approach to architecture, ecology, tradition, and the creative process. The session will explore this ecologically sensitive approach to architecture with Lakshmi throwing light upon the making of the book, the many different teachings of Didi Contractor, and their relevance in various contexts.

Lakshmi Swaminathan is an architect from Chennai. After her architectural graduation, she worked in an office and taught in design schools. Her interest in mud buildings opened an opportunity to apprentice with Didi Contractor for four years. In May 2024, Lakshmi’s book, ‘A Call to Return: A Journey with Didi Contractor’ was published. Currently she lives in Tiruvannamalai where she undertakes earthen building projects.

Earth Crusader: This film is based on an eminent architectural practitioner Mrs. Didi Contractor. She studies vernacular traditions and is still involved in designing practical adaptations for contemporary sustainability, training young artisans and reviving local skills. Her projects include building over 16 homes, a community clinic a center for compassionate living, a craft market, a residential resort and the Sambhavana institute for Public Policy. She is known for architectural designs in Adobe that embody her evolving ethical, ecological and aesthetic values. She gives lectures about practical adaptations for contemporary sustainability, training young artisans and reviving local skills and tells about her experience in the construction of buildings.

Venue: Arthshila Ahmedabad
2-G, opposite Ahmedabad Management Association, Panjrapol, Ambawadi – 380015.