About IIACD

The International Institute for Art, Culture and Democracy (IIACD) is a Bengaluru-based not-for-profit research institute. IIACD was founded in 2008 by a multidisciplinary group of academics and practitioners with collective expertise in healthcare, education, management, design, new media arts, technology, folklore, cultural anthropology, traditional arts and crafts, vernacular architecture, cultural heritage, conservation and tourism studies and practice.

About the Gavipuram Pilot Study

The main objective of this study is to digitally capture and preserve the rich vernacular heritage of the Gavipuram area in Karnataka. The tradition of vernacular architecture is fast disappearing and giving way to unsustainable dwellings which are not based on sound environmental principles. Karnataka’s local architecture is closely aligned to its climate, natural vegetation, local materials and sociocultural practices. The pilot study is an effort to preserve local architecture and evolve a sound heuristic of sustainable building principles.