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Our vision
“Create awareness through training programs, research initiatives and empowering building artisans while promoting the use of traditional construction techniques for built forms.”
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About us
Sankalan is a non-profit organization spreading awareness to build with traditional construction techniques, empowering building artisans, and promoting the use of eco-sensitive materials.
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How we started
The journey of “Sankalan” team as part of Hunnarshala Foundation started immediately after the massive earthquake in 2001. While responding to the housing issues post earthquake, the team comprising of architects, engineers, master building artisans, got an opportunity to understand and implement spaces using traditional building practices under the umbrella of Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan. The know-how was further developed over the years by scientific validation of various traditional techniques and incorporating it into the modern context of creating built spaces. A focused and dedicated teamwork at Sankalan has helped it to create a niche in the built environment.
The Journey of
20 years
Sankalan was started with the same mission for promoting traditional construction techniques
2001-2002
This was the nascent phase, wherein the team was involved in the post-earthquake rehabilitation program of Kutch district, majorly working in the rural area. Earthen construction was further explored through scientific validations followed by publishing a guideline on stabilized earthen construction in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat. More than 3000 houses across 40 + villages were implemented using stabilized earthen construction techniques as part of the rehabilitation work through owner-driven concept wherein the beneficiaries are part of the building process.
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2003-2006
After the earthquake, the Government of Gujarat allocated land for relocating the affected citizens in the vicinity of Bhuj town, so that the population was not concentrated within the city limits. Sardar Nagar Awas Yojna is one such relocation site, which is now house to various communities. Around 400 houses were constructed using stabilized earthen construction techniques with a Decentralized Waste Water Treatment Systems (DEWATS) to recycle the waste water generated by the households.
In 2006 Indonesia was very badly affected by the Tsunami. A team from Sankalan was part of the rehabilitation consortium to conduct mapping exercise and training around 200 local masons and artisans on stabilized earthen construction and designing village level waste water treatment system. This training facilitated construction of around 2600 houses.
Promoting the eco-sensitive building techniques to construct Institutional facilities was an opportunity that could help in mainstreaming the traditional building practice. Craft Resource Centre – “Khamir” is an institution that supports the craft artisans of Kutch was constructed using stabilized and un-stabilized earthen construction techniques. Similarly, Sham-e-Sarhad, an eco-tourism resort managed by the village committee was constructed by the local artisan using natural building material.
In 2006 Indonesia was very badly affected by the Tsunami. A team from Sankalan was part of the rehabilitation consortium to conduct mapping exercise and training around 200 local masons and artisans on stabilized earthen construction and designing village level waste water treatment system. This training facilitated construction of around 2600 houses.
Promoting the eco-sensitive building techniques to construct Institutional facilities was an opportunity that could help in mainstreaming the traditional building practice. Craft Resource Centre – “Khamir” is an institution that supports the craft artisans of Kutch was constructed using stabilized and un-stabilized earthen construction techniques. Similarly, Sham-e-Sarhad, an eco-tourism resort managed by the village committee was constructed by the local artisan using natural building material.
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2007-2009
This was a phase when the team of Sankalan got an opportunity to work on restoration of mud forts in Al Ain, UAE. The Department of Culture and Tourism (formerly Abu Dhabi Authority of Culture and Heritage) invited the team to participate in restoring 3 mud forts, namely the Jahili Fort, Qasr Al Muwaiji and Qattara fort, which were being restored to house new functional building such as museums, designed by international architects. More than 150 building artisans, Master artisans and Engineers participated in these projects to restore the mud forts as part of Sankalan’s team. This project provided a global platform for the artisans to demonstrate their work, which was highly appreciated.
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2010-2012
After a decade of work with the involvement of building artisans, the vision of encouraging building artisans to organize and form separate identities in the form of proprietary, partnership firms were encouraged. This provided an opportunity to the artisans to work collectively towards providing specialized building solutions.
The patrons were encouraged and involved to support the use of natural building materials and the artisan companies by providing them work. This initiative also provided an opportunity to start "Sankalan" - Artisan Empowerment Unit within Hunnarshala, i.e., a unit dedicated to support the building artisans community by linking them to work.
An opportunity to work for the Qatar Museum Authority to restore the Old Qatar National Museum, a building constructed with stone and lime in the early 20th century came up where a team of Master Building artisans and Building Artisans were involved.
The patrons were encouraged and involved to support the use of natural building materials and the artisan companies by providing them work. This initiative also provided an opportunity to start "Sankalan" - Artisan Empowerment Unit within Hunnarshala, i.e., a unit dedicated to support the building artisans community by linking them to work.
An opportunity to work for the Qatar Museum Authority to restore the Old Qatar National Museum, a building constructed with stone and lime in the early 20th century came up where a team of Master Building artisans and Building Artisans were involved.
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2013-2015
Hunnarshala’s office complex has been an attraction for professional architects and architecture / engineering students, due to its design and use of various natural materials since it was constructed in 2009-10. Students and professionals were interested in understanding the sustainable approach of the practice with the use of natural materials within the contemporary applications. This created an opportunity to start conducting Introductory Training Programs on Construction Techniques wherein natural materials are used to build spaces. An influx of students and professionals, helped the team of Sankalan to continue offering structured and customized training programs.
As the practicing architects started incorporating natural materials in the contemporary building designs, work flow increased and this gave an impetus to empower more artisans to participate in projects of various scale and challenges pan India.
Research being an ongoing process at Sankalan, Master and PhD students from MIT, Boston collaborated to conduct joint research on thermal solutions for mass housing.
As the practicing architects started incorporating natural materials in the contemporary building designs, work flow increased and this gave an impetus to empower more artisans to participate in projects of various scale and challenges pan India.
Research being an ongoing process at Sankalan, Master and PhD students from MIT, Boston collaborated to conduct joint research on thermal solutions for mass housing.
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2016-2019
Being an environment conscious group, concern of conserving natural resources is of prime importance. Designing Decentralized Waste Water Treatment Systems has been an effort to assist institutions, communities and government organizations to recycle waste water generated by the built facilities. Few DEWAT systems of different scale and capacities were designed and technical support provided to institutions and government organizations.
Providing technical guidance to few promising building artisan entrepreneurs who have developed the capacities to implement projects of various scales was further strengthened. These years also saw experimenting and research activities to further enhance the range of techniques by adding efficient and traditional building systems such as Catalan structures.
Providing technical guidance to few promising building artisan entrepreneurs who have developed the capacities to implement projects of various scales was further strengthened. These years also saw experimenting and research activities to further enhance the range of techniques by adding efficient and traditional building systems such as Catalan structures.
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Today
Today Sankalan has established itself as a centre that promotes using natural materials through its training and research programs.
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Our impact in numbers
The purpose of an initiative is accomplished only when it has the capacity to make a difference in its work domain and lives of people it has touched.
20+
Years of our presence
3000+
Artisans Impacted
200+
Artisan Guilds
22000+
Participants awareness through training (students, professionals and artisans)
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Meet our team
Our team believes in -
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon.
Our Community
Board of Directors
Tejas Kotak,
Dr. Yogananda M. R.,
Mukesh Tank
Senior Advisor
Kiran Vaghela
Core team
Prajesh Jethwa – Senior Manager
Raj Chauhan – Senior Accountant
Pankaj Bhagat – Project Engineer
Namrata Gujarathi – Architect
Jitesh Singh - Jr. Architect
Disha Patel - Jr. Architect
Extended team (So Hath – 100 Hands team)
Poonam Chavda – Executive Director
Hemant Dudhaiya – Senior Consultant
Jignesh Gor – Senior Project Manager
Milap Gor – Project Manager
Bharat Chauhan – Senior Project Manager
Pradeep Rangani – Project Manager
Pratik Gadhvi – Project Engineer
Vasant Maheshvari – Master Carpenter
Rakesh Parmar – Master Artisan
Nathu Parmar – Supporting staff
Sanuben Parmar – Supporting staff
Admin support team
Pragati Solanki - Admin & A/c Asst.
Gopal Ratna
Collaborators
Aayam Architects, Ahmedabad;
Andblack Design Studio, Ahmedabad;
Antz Studio, Hyderabad;
Aranya Architects, Vapi;
Blocher Partners India Pvt Ltd, Ahmedabad;
Buland Shukla Architects, Goa;
DADA & Partners, Delhi;
Essteam Design Services LLP, Surat;
Eunoiadesigns, Mumbai;
group DCA, Delhi;
Hiren Patel Architects, Ahmedabad;
Mihir Thaker Architect, Mumbai;
Pranav Patel Architects, Anand;
R+R Architects, Ahmedabad;
SP+A Sameep Padora And Associates, Mumbai;
Spasm Design Architects, Mumbai;
Studiodot, Bhuj;
Studio LAB Language. Architecture. Body, Mumbai;
The Grid Architects, Ahmedabad;
Vāstu Shilpā Consultants, Ahmedabad.
Patrons/Individuals or organisations supporting Sankalan
CEPT, Gujarat
Mrudhugandh Training Centre, Maharashtra
The Art Village, Maharashtra
IPSA, Gujarat
MIT, Boston
MSU, Gujarat
L. J. U, Gujarat
P P Savani, Gujarat
Anant National University, Ahmedabad
Indus University, Ahmedabad
Tejas Kotak,
Dr. Yogananda M. R.,
Mukesh Tank
Senior Advisor
Kiran Vaghela
Core team
Prajesh Jethwa – Senior Manager
Raj Chauhan – Senior Accountant
Pankaj Bhagat – Project Engineer
Namrata Gujarathi – Architect
Jitesh Singh - Jr. Architect
Disha Patel - Jr. Architect
Extended team (So Hath – 100 Hands team)
Poonam Chavda – Executive Director
Hemant Dudhaiya – Senior Consultant
Jignesh Gor – Senior Project Manager
Milap Gor – Project Manager
Bharat Chauhan – Senior Project Manager
Pradeep Rangani – Project Manager
Pratik Gadhvi – Project Engineer
Vasant Maheshvari – Master Carpenter
Rakesh Parmar – Master Artisan
Nathu Parmar – Supporting staff
Sanuben Parmar – Supporting staff
Admin support team
Pragati Solanki - Admin & A/c Asst.
Gopal Ratna
Collaborators
Aayam Architects, Ahmedabad;
Andblack Design Studio, Ahmedabad;
Antz Studio, Hyderabad;
Aranya Architects, Vapi;
Blocher Partners India Pvt Ltd, Ahmedabad;
Buland Shukla Architects, Goa;
DADA & Partners, Delhi;
Essteam Design Services LLP, Surat;
Eunoiadesigns, Mumbai;
group DCA, Delhi;
Hiren Patel Architects, Ahmedabad;
Mihir Thaker Architect, Mumbai;
Pranav Patel Architects, Anand;
R+R Architects, Ahmedabad;
SP+A Sameep Padora And Associates, Mumbai;
Spasm Design Architects, Mumbai;
Studiodot, Bhuj;
Studio LAB Language. Architecture. Body, Mumbai;
The Grid Architects, Ahmedabad;
Vāstu Shilpā Consultants, Ahmedabad.
Patrons/Individuals or organisations supporting Sankalan
CEPT, Gujarat
Mrudhugandh Training Centre, Maharashtra
The Art Village, Maharashtra
IPSA, Gujarat
MIT, Boston
MSU, Gujarat
L. J. U, Gujarat
P P Savani, Gujarat
Anant National University, Ahmedabad
Indus University, Ahmedabad
Network Agencies
Network Organizations
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Our Values
Integrity, Equality, Teamwork, Innovation, Passion and Quality are the values at Sankalan.
Research
Creating a vibrant research environment where innovation, technical know-how, precision and documentation flourishes.
Promote
Promoting building artisans and validated traditional construction techniques that gel seamlessly with contemporary built spaces.
Empower
Sankalan values building artisans, empowering them to become independent entrepreneurs and provide specialized services in a conducive environment
Disseminate
An effort to create awareness, among students and practicing professionals, on traditional building practices that are sensitive towards nature.
Preserve
Preservation and conservation of built heritage by prudent and appropriate use of building techniques.
Collaborating
Joining hands with like-minded people to expand and extend its reach by collaborating to accomplish a common cause.