THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Give architecture students a wasteland and they will turn it into a hip haunt. At least that’s what the students of Kazhakuttom-based Marian College of Architecture and Planning have done. They have turned a area overrun by weeds into a hangout place for techies at Thampuranmukku near the bypass.
And a discarded bus named ‘Habeebee’ which was parked there for many years was also given a new lease of life with the students sprucing it up. The effort was part of an annual national competition by the National Association of Students of Architecture to develop an un-utilised urban space. They have named the project as ‘Veedhi’.
Thirty-eight third year students of the college identified the location a few kilometers away from their college. They then cleaned it up and used the objects recovered, such a liquor bottles and cycle rims, to create various installations. Coir and bamboo were extensively used to make a pavilion and sitting arrangements inside the bus. There are wooden tables and chairs, and wall paintings depicting different cultures.
“We wanted to develop the area into a public space where people and children can come and spend time,” said Aravind S, a member of the project which received the support of local people and the Corporation.
“A lot of techies working in Infosys, UST Global and Technopark reside in this area. They appreciated our effort and have offered to help us,” said Aliya Shahjahan, another project member.
A temporary electricity connection for lighting up the area was provided from a home in the neighbourhood. The students also plan to install solar lamps there.