Artisan Village: nexus between architecture, crafts, and craftsmanship

Abstract

In the rich tapestry of Southern Punjab, a region that encompasses artisanal heritage and cultural depth, the value of traditional craftsmanship and vernacular building techniques often remains buried by the challenges of industrialization and globalization. The rapid shift from traditional to contemporary practices overshadowed the harmonious balance with the environment, creating a rift that echoes both culturally and ecologically. This thesis proposes an Artisan Village that emerges as an exemplar of neo-vernacular architecture along the Multan-Lahore Road. It seeks to bring craft, craftsmanship, and architecture together, revealing the hands of craftsmen who created it. Traditional craftsmanship is perhaps the most tangible manifestation of intangible cultural heritage. The aim is to craft a living entity of architecture that not only houses local artisans and their crafts but also becomes a crafted piece of neo-vernacular architecture; rooted in its tradition yet shows a way forward. The thesis emphasizes the intrinsic connection between the natural resources of a location and the built environment along with the intricate relationship between the craftsmen and material. It asserts that the fundamental act of making craft is reflected in the profound act of an artisan handcrafting a structure. The project highlights the crucial role of craftsmen in integrating Southern Punjab's cultural expressions into the artisan village's very fabric while utilizing time-honored techniques. It seeks to challenge our modern architectural norms that tend to overlook indigenous skills and local materials, advocating for a more balanced and eco-friendly approach. The architectural typology of the artisan village has been chosen to align with the dual goals of preserving the intangible cultural heritage and promoting traditional craftsmanship and regional architecture practices. The approach for the thesis is to understand vernacularism in history, learning from it and utilizing the local materials but in a more stabilized way along with integrating the crafts within the architecture. The village will be a journey through craft architecture rooted in tradition acting as a living lab, confirming that eco-friendly architecture and traditional craftsmanship can successfully coexist. Overall, the project provides a model for developing environmentally conscious buildings that are also culturally and contextually rich.