AT A GLANCE
Varun Thautam
Area of Practice:
OVERVIEW
Through live projects and research, I observe and abstract the essential lessons and didactic methods of the preserved vernacular cultures and artisans to find meaningful applications in modern architecture. As an active apprentice to several master craftsmen, I bring over a decade of hands-on experience in mud construction techniques, advanced masonry techniques for vaults and domes, and plasters with lime and mud. As a researcher and educator, I have conducted more than 100 design-build workshops and volunteering programs on construction sites and universities in Canada, the USA, Mexico, and India, to connect more than 2500 students from around the globe. As a Design-Build consultant, I have several international award-winning projects, having presented my work at more than 30 universities worldwide.
EDUCATION
M-Arch (McGill Unicersity), B-Arch (IIT Roorkee)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Professor | Master’s Program in Bioclimatic Design – 2017-2019
Full time International Professor | Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro, México – 2014-2019
Architect | ITESM, Campus Querétaro, México – 2013-2014
Junior Architect | Biome Environmental Solutions, Bangalore – 2012-2013
Junior Architect | ADA Architects, Saskatchewan, Canada – 2008-2009
Junior Architect | Auroville Earth Institute, Auroville, India – 2008
Intern | Olson Kundig Architects, Seattle, WA, USA – 2008
INTEREST AREAS
Natural building, Community design, BIM, Urban design, didactics
CURRENT PRACTICE AT SRISHTI
Developing coursework for the Design Earth Lab
TEACHING PORTFOLIO
Form and Structure (Contextual Enquiry), Model making workshop, Form Studies (Contextual Enquiry)
CREATIVE PRACTICE & OUTREACH
Independent architectural practice, as a designer and builder/mason since 2012.