The art of belonging: De Earth’s exhibition spotlights community-centric architecture

Communities are fostered and nurtured by the spaces they inhabit. Belong, an exhibition by the architecture firm De Earth, seeks to spotlight the importance of eco-friendly structures that bind communities together, fostering a sense of togetherness and greater well-being. Slated to take place between 21st May to 24th May, the exhibit showcases a varied array of curated projects, models, videos and the usage of artificial intelligence and virtual reality in the realm of architecture. Visitors can access the exhibition from 3 to 6 p.m. at De Earth’s office in Kozhikode, Kerala.

“The exhibition will feature a range of projects, from small residences to large public projects, all rooted in De Earth’s philosophy,” explains Nishan M, one of the founding partners of De Earth. The exhibition was inaugrated on 20th May by Architect Tony Joseph of Stapati Architects, chairman of the Avani Institute of Design.

Visitors can experience upcoming projects like a children’s park called Lions Park in Calicut through virtual reality, a design for the Tagore Hall in Calicut, an education hub at Pinarayi, Kerala and models of several residences by De Earth. Award-winning projects like Freedom Square, an urban museum near Calicut beach and the Thalassery Heritage project, which won the award for the best public project design in Kerala, will also be present at the expo.

The exhibit celebrates its two-decade-long architectural practice, rooted in its design language that seeks to uplift and unite communities. The firm staunchly believes that it is essential to focus on effective planning and architecture to minimise the impact of climate change in our daily lives. One can expect spirited discussions and debates about the future of architecture and its role in fostering healthy communities to take place across the exhibition.

From a community park frequented by children and adults united in their pursuit of leisure, to wooden benches lining the streets and living spaces wherein one may converse — these spaces often emerge as a pivotal part of our individual lives, where those around us further enrich our experiences. Further expounding on the exhibit, one of De Earth’s founding partners Vivek Puthan Purayil says “Architecture is not just about buildings, it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and cultural equity within communities. Through Belong, we aim to showcase how our designs, rooted in philosophy, transcend mere structures to become integral parts of people’s lives, nurturing happiness and harmony. It’s a reflection of how architecture plays a vital role in mankind’s quest for advancement and well-being.” 

De Earth prioritises eco-friendly and culturally responsive designs through its projects. They aim to thoughtfully construct projects for both the private and public spheres nationally and globally. Nishan further states, “Our practice has worked on various scales of projects across the two decades and the exhibition focuses on how our philosophy is carried forward in different typologies.” 

Learn more about the exhibition through this link here: https://www.deearth.com/