This is a dossier containing some representative projects selected from approximately 50 projects done under the Indian Institute of Architects Kozhikode chapter’s pro-bono program called “On to the Streets”. The ongoing IIA program intends to aid architectural design of public projects – specifically those that were to be built by municipal and district authorities in Kozhikode and would be used by and be visible to a larger public.  The program began in 2014 under the chairmanship of Architect Vinod Cyriac and the patronage and partnership of Pradeep Kumar, a Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from Kozhikode (2006-2021).1 The program has continued over the last decade through subsequent chairmanships of Brijesh Shaijal, Vivek P.P and currently Naufal C. Hashim.

The ‘On to the Streets’ program originally had two intentions, both of which dealt in differing degrees with architecture and the architect in the public realm. First, it hoped to get architects to design spaces that were not exclusively commissioned and experienced by a select private clientele. The hope was that the users of the project would be a public who would get to experience what “good design” feels and looks like. In this sense it was a demonstration of what ‘architecture’ and architects could do. The second was intended at the architect themselves. The architect would get to look back at their own project ‘from the street’ so to speak – their work being used by, looked at and perhaps even critiqued by a larger and diverse group of stakeholders.2

The architects of these projects, also key office bearers/managers of IIA Kozhikode as well as this pro-bono program, believe it offers a model beyond Kozhikode and Kerala - for how the profession can engage with local and state administrators and bring about a larger public appreciation of the profession of architecture. The Kerala Design Policy Summit held in January 2023 that intends to legislatively bring in a design policy for the state of Kerala (ranging from posters and logos to architecture) is seen as a concrete step by them towards this direction.3, 4 This dossier is intended to further research and investigation into this model of governmental and public engagement.

History & Logistics of the Projects

The program had its origins when the then MLA Pradeep Kumar asked Vinod Cyriac to help him complete the infrastructure upgradation project at Government Vocational Higher Secondary School (GVHSS) at Nadakkavu, Kozhikode which was funded by the Faizal and Shabana Foundation.5 This collaboration turned into a personal relationship where Mr. Kumar recognized the advantages of an architect’s involvement. Therefore, a majority of the projects right from 2012 including many of the projects in this dossier where brought about by a collaboration with the MLA, funded both by MLA funds allotted by the state government and philanthropic giving from foundations and individuals.

Once a project is accepted by the IIA, it is assigned to an architect-member of IIA Kozhikode chapter. The member proceeds to meet, discuss and make presentations to the stakeholders of the project. There is typically a point person who has brought the project to the IIA -  for e.g. the sitting MLA or the district collector - who acts for all purposes as the primary ‘client’. This person not only introduces the architect to the stakeholders/users of the project but makes sure the architects’ drawings and specifications are followed on site. This is because in this arrangement the architect is in an advisory role and does not have a formal role as project architect. In the case of these projects documented here, the architects point out that despite some limitations, the presence of a strong political or administrative patron/point person (largely Pradeep Kumar MLA and in the case of Udayam, the District Collector) who backs the architects ensures most design decisions are carried through on site. The presence of a publicly minded contractor, for e.g. the ULCCS, who also usually work without a profit is also pointed out as a crucial factor.  Although Pradeep Kumar is no longer the sitting MLA, one evidence of the popularity of this project seems to be the number of projects that is brought to IIA Kozhikode by local authorities (District, city and panchayat level) for pro-bono design.6 The Kozhikode chapter only accepts around 20 projects a term.

Reflections/Comments/Ongoing Questions

In terms of the first goal, it is fair to say (see newspaper reports) that the program has brought a degree of attention from the political and administrative class in Kozhikode as to what ‘architectural design’ could do for an institution’s stakeholders and its public perception. Projects like the Freedom Square occupy prime spots in the city and is thoroughly thronged by crowds and used formally for public events ranging from the city’s literature festival to political rallies.  IIA cites the interest by local authorities to get architects involved, either formally through empanelment of architects or through the On to the Streets project as one evidence of success. As to the question of critical introspection of their own practice, a later assessment will have to be made by the architects themselves. However, almost all the projects in this dossier have won awards designated for public architecture from the state and national IIA. Vivek, the former chairman of the IIA argued that these projects bring an exceptional level of attention and accolades to architects, even established ones like his. This, he argues, is a net positive for firms.7 Naufal, the current chairman mentioned that it is not enough merely to be a publicly minded architect to justify the hours necessary to work on these projects - being an engaged citizen committed to making a difference is equally important.8

All the architects seemed to equally revel in the ability to add to the public good, what most of them mentioned as seeing their architecture “make a real difference.” Brijesh and Nimisha Shaijal, architects of the Karaparamp school expressed having a sense of fulfilment from teachers and school children expressing renewed enthusiasm for teaching and learning as well as in seeing how the renovated school and grounds have turned into a community asset - a place where social functions are organized and where locals like to spend evenings. Kirthi and Satheesh mentioned being delighted by the medical staff at Udayam who remarked to them that the residents of the shelter were far more settled and less prone to abscond than those at similar government facilities. Naufal alludes to similar feelings wherein the auditorium has become not just an infrastructural asset for the fishing community but a source of community pride and a place to spend time socially.9

There are also questions and challenges ‘On to the Streets’ raises for the future. Vinod Cyriac mentioned that one of the legitimate criticisms raised within the IIA in 2014, was that it would contribute to an existing public culture of architectural design as a ‘free service’ that need not be remunerated. The supporters of the project made the case at that time that the pro-bono project program was the only way to demonstrate concretely what architecture could contribute to the public and in a very public way. As the demand for pro-bono services have risen, IIA Kozhikode has sought to make the case to the state government that they need to pay for architecture services and that the existing fees for empaneled architects (often less than 2%) is far too less for the effort required to deliver a good product. This back and forth has prompted the state minister in charge of tourism and public works, also from Kozhikode, to initiate the Design Policy Summit in 2023 with a view to change these conditions for good. These discussions are expected to lead to a draft government policy document later this year and are expected to be presented to the state legislature within the next two years to be made into law.             

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Shaijal, Brijesh, and Nimisha Shaijal. Karapparambu School, Kozhikode. Design Ashram Consultants LLP, 2019.
Vivek P. P., and Nishan M.. Freedom Square. Calicut: De Earth, 2021.
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