Prachi Ranka
BSc in Interior Design & Decoration, Bangalore
Varya: An Experience Centre – JD Design Awards 2024
Prachi Ranka is a BSc Interior Design & Decoration student at JD School of Design, Bangalore. Her brilliant project, “Varya: An Experience Centre,” won Best Sustainable Design at the JD Design Awards 2024. It showcases GI-tagged products from Karnataka’s rich heritage through a seamless blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology.
ILLUSTRATIONS
It is the experience hub for GI-tagged products from Karnataka—Channapatna toys, Ilkal sarees, and Mysore sandalwood. Guided by many of the several rich cultural heritages available across Karnataka and moving further from here, this concept would take the visitor on a virtual journey via their senses to understand and realise the spirit of the rich traditions of this region.
The interactive thematic focus of the centre, “Regional Roots,” is completed with interactive displays and state-of-the-art technologies such as AR and VR. These have been thoughtfully incorporated so that one gets to learn and be engaged without losing the authenticity of the craftsmanship of these GI products. Some interesting features that have been incorporated into its design include furniture designed from Channapatna toys, Ilkal sarees used for lighting, the aroma of incense sticks made of Mysore sandalwood, and so on. Each element of the design shall evoke an immersive setting that showcases the rich artisanal heritage of Karnataka and is equally engaging and informative.
JDDA 2024
Varya’s material and aesthetic choices thus remain firmly based on traditional craftsmanship and modern sustainability. The mood board combined rich hues such as gold, red, and earthy tones, inspired by the Karnataka landscape and GI products. Intricate patterns and textures come with display areas for GI products in futuristic ways of presentation.
The material board showcases recycled and eco-friendly materials that serve as representations of sustainability. Cork and concrete flooring, glass recycling, and eco-friendly fabrics are employed in forging modern furniture and accessories that are sustainable. This choice testifies to how much the conversation about the environment is committed to and how traditional and innovative materials can live in peace and harmony.
Varya’s design has become emblematic of the best example of how sustainable practices could safeguard and promote cultural heritage. It’s not about celebrating tradition in craftsmanship; it sets a precedent as to how cultural preservation and modern design work in tandem for a sustainable future.
Varya stands for much more than the showcasing of Karnataka’s GI-tagged products; the design personifies a future time when heritage and innovation move hand in hand to set up the new standard for both sustainable and culturally sensitive design.
Prachi Ranka
BSc in Interior Design & Decoration, Bangalore
www.jddesignawards.com