Navrachana University launches a unique design challenge for students

Launches “Love in the time of an Epidemic – Design Challenge 2020”

As we all battle an enemy that we cannot see, smell or hear, our cities are beginning to resemble ghost towns, where streets are getting deserted and people are afraid to go out, lest they catch the Corona virus. Social distancing seems to be the only solution during such times. This in effect means that we have to maintain good distance from each other especially in public places.

Navrachana University has come out with a unique Design Challenge for the design students, (current or aspiring) to design public seating that brings people together and yet keeps them at safe distance from each other. This seating can be for public parks, footpaths, restaurants, auditorium or any public space. Basically its a idea level competition where they will present their idea in just one A3 sheet.

None of our public infrastructure is designed to keep people away rather all street furniture like benches, seats, open air auditoriums, restaurant sitting are designed to bring people together. And that’s what as humans we wants to be together with friends, family and sometimes even with strangers. Our existing public infrastructure will unfortunately only increase the spread of the virus.

But staying at home is surely not an option for long and this is where the Design warriors comes in. The mission for the students is “To design public seating that brings people together and yet keeps them at safe distance from each other”. This seating can be for public parks, footpaths, restaurants, auditorium or any public space situation that you may feel will benefit from such an intervention.

So the trick would be to encourage socialization of people without getting them close. Ironical right? Well, that’s what designers can really do. Come out with innovative ideas to solve social problems.

The competition is organised by School of Environmental Design and Architecture (SEDA), Navrachana University and is open to SEDA Students, SEDA Alumni and all the students from any course anywhere.

Results of the competition will be announced by the end of April. Winning entry will be published and promoted by Navrachana University website and all its social handle. Aim will be to catch the attention of civic authorities all across the country.

The title is inspired by the book “Love in the time of Cholera” by Gabriel García Márquez.