Faculty

Education

Areas of Expertise

Traditional and Vernacular Architecture~Traditional Craft and Cultural Heritage~Design Thinking and Design Education~Visual Communication~Vernacular Furniture

Courses Taught

Research/Design Projects in Areas of Expertise

• Project: Threads of Innovation, a collaborative project between CEPT University, India and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. Grant received from Diku – Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education, Norway. (2021-2025)
• Project: Celebrating Clay: generating new forms of cultural production for craft experiential tourism, Grant from Crafting Future Global Programme by British Council under the theme: Craft Tourism in partnership with The Clay Foundation The British Ceramics Biennial, UK. (2020)
• Project: Vernacular Furniture of North-West India - Phase 4: Haryana, Grant from South Asian Decorative Art and Craft Collection (SADACC) Trust, Norwich UK (2019-21).
• Project: Developing Strategies for ‘Craft Experience Tourism’ in Gundiyali, research and training grant from Manthan Education Trust (2018-19).
• Project: Vernacular Furniture of North-West India - Phase 3: Punjab, Grant from South Asian Decorative Art and Craft Collection (SADACC) Trust, Norwich UK (2018-20).
• Project: Re-imagine India - Heart-Beat - Warli Painting Project, Grant from Art Council England  (2017-19), in collaboration with The Clay Foundation, British Ceramics Biennial and Manchester Metropolitan University.  
• Project: Vernacular Furniture of North-West India - Phase 2: Rajasthan, Grant from South Asian Decorative Art and Craft Collection (SADACC) Trust, Norwich UK (2017-18).
• Project: Spatial reconfiguration of the workspaces with the craft community of Gundiyali, research and training grant from Manthan Education Trust (2017-18). 
• Project: Contemporizing Craft through Integration of Design, Innovation, Technology and Market (at DICRC), Grant from Indext-C, Government of Gujarat, India (2015-2018).  
• Project: Vernacular Furniture of North-West India - Phase 1: Gujarat, Grant from South Asian Decorative Art and Craft Collection (SADACC) Trust, Norwich UK (2015-16).  
• Project: Community Driven Innovation Training Program with craft community of Gundiyali, research and training grant from Manthan Education Trust (2016).  
• Project: Craftspeople Mapping at the National Craft Fair at Ahmedabad, Grant from Indext-C, Government of Gujarat, India (2016).  
• Project: Craft Innovation Training at Gundiyali, research and training grant from Manthan Education Trust and Indian Institute of Interior Designers (IIID), Ahmedabad Chapter (2015).   
• Project: National Craft Seminar at Vadodara, Grant from Indext-C, Government of Gujarat, India (2015)  
• Project: Narrative Ceramics, Grant from Indian Institute of Interior Designers (IIID), Ahmedabad Chapter (2014).  
• Project: National Craft Seminar and DICRC CEPT Pavilion at Ahmedabad, Grant from Indext-C, Government of Gujarat, India (2014).
• Project: Crafts of Gujarat (at DICRC), Grant from: Indext-C, Government of Gujarat, India (2010-2014).  
• Project: Indigenous Building Practices of Himachal Pradesh, Grant from: Australia India Institute (2011-2012) in collaboration with University of Melbourne, Australia.
• Project: Prathaa, Grant from International Zumtobel Group Award for Humanity and Sustainability in the Built Environment (2012).
• Project: Vernacular Architecture, Kumaon, Uttarakhand, Grant from Zurich (2009-2010).

Research Articles and Book Chapters in Areas of Expertise

Books:

• “Sahaj: Vernacular Furniture of Gujarat” (2018, co-authored with Mitraja Bais, Samrudha Dixit and Ben Cartwright), CEPT University Press,  Ahmedabad.
• “Prathaa: Kath-Khuni Architecture of Himachal Pradesh” (2013, co-authored with Bharat Dave & Mansi Shah) by SID Research Cell, CEPT University, Ahmedabad.
• “Matra: Ways of Measuring Vernacular Built Forms of Himachal Pradesh” (2008, co-authored with Dr Skye Morrison) by SID Research Cell, CEPT University, Ahmedabad.
• “Naqsh: The Art of Wood Carving of Traditional Houses of Gujarat – Focus on Ornamentation” (2004) by SID Research Cell, CEPT University, Ahmedabad.

Catalogues:

• “Vernacular Furniture of Gujarat: Catalogue” (2021, co-authored with Mitraja Bais, Samrudha Dixit and Ben Cartwright), CEPT University Press,  Ahmedabad.

Monographs and Reports:

• Jain, R., Thakkar J., Jain L., and Devpura R., (to be published in 2021). Craft Experiential Tourism Toolkit. Ahmedabad, Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University.
• Thakkar J. and Jain, R. (2020). HEART:BEAT The Warli Project, Monograph. Ahmedabad, Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University.
• Jain, R., Sathyanarayan, M., Thakkar J., Jain L., and Devpura R., (2020). Craft CoLABorative Fellowship 2018-2019. Ahmedabad, Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University.
• Sathyanarayan M., Jain, R. and Thakkar J., (2017). Tatva: Community Driven Innovation Project. Ahmedabad, Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University.
• Sathyanarayan, M., Jain, R., and Thakkar J. (2016). Craft Innovation Training Programme with Terracotta Craftspeople of Gundiyali. Ahmedabad, Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University.
• Jain, R., Gharge, D. & Thakkar, J. (2014). IDE²AS: Craft Innovation Training Toolkit. Ahmedabad: Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University.
• Thakkar, J., Dave, B., and Shah, M. (2013), Field Report - Indigenous Architecture and Building Practices in Himachal Pradesh, India, Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC) CEPT University and The University of Melbourne, Australia.
• Thakkar, J., Shome B. Saraswat, S., (2013). “Kharadi Kaam": Wood Turning and Lacquer Craft in Dholka, Gujarat. Ahmedabad, Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University.
• Thakkar, J., (2013). Indigenous Building Practices of Kumaon, Uttarakhand. Ahmedabad, Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University.

Articles and Papers

• Thakkar, J. & Jain, R. (2019) Experiencing Craft and Culture: an emerging cultural sustainable tourism model in India as part of Cultural Sustainable Tourism book by Springer under Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ATSI) series. (DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-10804-5_3) Published in: Cultural Sustainable Tourism.
• Sathyanarayan , M., Jain R. and Thakkar J. (Volume 1, Issue 2 in 2018), Continuing traditions through frameworks of craft design innovation education and training, Journal of Heritage Management, Sage Publishing (Published in association with the Centre for Heritage Management, Ahmedabad University), ISSN: 24559296.
• Thakkar. J (2018) POLEMICS - ‘INDIANNESS’- a discussion column with key designers in India on issues that concern the profession and the discipline, bi-annual journal -[IN]SIDE published by Matter in collaboration with H & R Johnson (India). Volume 01 Issue 02.
• Thakkar. J, Hegde. G, Jain. S, and Rudolff. B, (December 2017) Documenting Indian Vernacular Heritage,  (PAPER ID : ICOA1882) BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg; Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), Ahmedabad; and DRONAH Foundation, Gurgaon for Session - ST03: Protecting and Interpreting Cultural Heritage in the Age of Digital Empowerment in 19th ICOMOS General Assembly And Scientific Symposium, New Delhi, India.
• Jain, R. & Thakkar, J. (November, 2017). Experiencing Craft and Culture : an emerging cultural sustainable tourism model in India. International Conference- Cultural Sustainable Tourism, CST 2017. IEREK: Thessaloniki, Greece.
• Thakkar J. and Routh R., (2017), Re-engaging Vernacular Building Practices - Facilitating the revitalization through a systematic approach, South Asian Vernacular Architecture Conference Proceeding, Bhopal.
• Shah M. and Thakkar J., (2017), The Himalayan vernacular: Kath-khuni architecture, Sahapedia.org  (www.sahapedia.org/the-himalayan-vernacular- kath-khuni-architecture).
• Thakkar J. and Deshpande M., (2016), Craft Design Collaborations in Interior Architecture Practices: A model of collaboration, Insite, October 2016, Vol 9, Issue 10, 23-26.
• Thakkar, J. and DICRC Team (2015), Traditional Crafts Collaborate with Contemporary Design Techniques, I A & B (Indian Architect and Builder), India, ISSN: 0971-5509, October 2015, 80-89. 
• Dave, B., Thakkar, J. and Shah, M. (2013), SEIN UND ZU-HAUSE-SEIN IN DER BERGEN, archithese: International thematic review for architecture, Zurich, ISSN: 1010-4089, 3 May/June (3), 72-77.
• Dave, B., Thakkar, J. and Shah, M. (2013), Architectural and Cultural Aspects of the Sacred: Wood-and-stone temples of the Western Himalaya, INTACH: Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, New Delhi, ISBN: 978-93-82343-09-7.
• Dave, B., Thakkar, J. and Shah, M. (2012): Details of Resistance: Indigenous Construction Systems of Himachal Pradesh, Context: Built, Living and Natural, Journal of the Development and Research Organisation for Nature, Arts and Heritage, DRONAH, ISSN 0973-502X, Vol. IX (1), Spring/Summer 2012, 5-17.
• Dave, B., Thakkar, J. and Shah, M. (2011), Indigenous Building Traditions of Himachal Pradesh: ABACUS, ISSN 0973 8339, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Monsoon, 6(2), 14-20.
• Thakkar J. (June 2010) Wood and Stone: The vernacular architecture of Himachal Pradesh, GEO Magazine, India, Germany 

Presented Papers and Invited Lectures in Areas of Expertise

Lectures and Presentation

• Thakkar J, (Jun 2021), Craft Innovation - a systematic approach, organised by Pearl Academy and Association of Designers of India (ADI) as part of Design Lounge Series.
• Thakkar J, (Mar 2021), Crafting the future of design education, by School of Design, AURO University.
• Thakkar J, Shah M, (Feb 2021), The sustainability of indigenous building craft practices: Kath-khuni architecture of Himachal Pradesh, as part of the symposium “Building craft traditions in Tibet and the Himalayas” organised by The Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW).
• Thakkar J, (Jan 2021), Fourth wave in craft education, a podcast of Garland Magazine.
• Thakkar J, (Dec 2020), online discussion on Future of Crafts organised by Fashion Revolution India and British Council in the session"Impact & Action: How the pandemic has affected experiential events".
• Thakkar J, (Dec 2020), Craft + Design = DeCraft, National Institute of Fashion Technology Gandhinagar.
• Thakkar, J. (Nov, 2020), Masterclass  in Traditional Knowledge Systems - Traversing through traditional Indian wooden habitat: exploring architecture, life, and crafts of western India, INTACH Heritage Academy, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, New Delhi.
• Thakkar, J, (May 2020), Celebrating Clay: Revival of crafts post pandemic, as part of a symposium titled “A (UN) Certain Future: a strategy for re-building the Craft Sector” organised by India Craft Week in association with the British Council.
• Thakkar, J. (Jan, 2020), Masterclass  in Traditional Knowledge Systems - Sustainable Kath-Khuni architecture of Himachal Pradesh, INTACH Heritage Academy, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, New Delhi
• Thakkar, J. (Dec, 2019), Jivan chakra: exploring narratives in vernacular furniture at the seminar titled Bhartiya Shilp and Architecture under Bharat Vidya Prayojana of IGNCA in collaboration with ‘GREHA’ at IGNCA, New Delhi
• Thakkar, J. (Dec, 2019), Death and Rebirth of furniture and memories in-between at the Raw Talk Series and panel discussion titled, ‘Of Empty Chairs, Frayed Photos and other such Bits and Bobs’ long with Sarita Sundar, Hanno and Vrunda Pathare, Godrej Archives.
• Thakkar, J. (Oct, 2019), Redefine Design as part of the ‘Lecture Series’  in the foundation program at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Gandhinagar.
• Thakkar, J. (Aug, 2019), Indigenous sustainable construction practices: Kath-Khuni architecture of Himachal Pradesh at First National Workshop on Green Hill Habitat, at IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand, organised by IGBC and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• Thakkar, J. (Jan, 2019), Craft-Design Innovation: an inclusive  approach at the Fourth International conference on creativity and innovation at/for/from/with grassroots [ICCIG 4], IIIM, Ahmedabad.
• Thakkar, J., Dixit S., Sathyanarayan M. (Jan, 2019), Circle of life: folk stories of vernacular furniture at Urban Design and Architecture [UDA] section at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival [KGAF], Mumbai.
• Thakkar, J. (Oct, 2018), Masterclass  in Traditional Knowledge Systems - Traversing through traditional Indian wooden habitat: exploring architecture, life, and crafts of western and northern India, INTACH Heritage Academy, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, New Delhi
• Thakkar, J., Jain R., Dixit S., (Dec, 2018)  Vernacular Furniture of North-West India: an insight through narrative, Raw Collaborative 2.0, Ahmedabad
• Thakkar, J. (Sep, 2018), Emerging craft practices and their role in making the city. Expanded Practices Symposium, organised by the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning at Cornell University.
• Thakkar, J. (Sep, 2018), Relevance of craft in design education in the indian context, ASIDE - A Symposium on Interior Design Education by Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID) Jaipur.
• Thakkar, J. (Aug, 2018), Craft and Design in an Indian Context. Orientation Program at the Institute of Architecture & Planning, Nirma University, Ahmedabad.
• Thakkar J, (Nov, 2017), A synergistic creative approach in warli craft practices through Heart:Beat project. keynote speaker to the Congress - “CERAMIC VALUES: Can Ceramics make a difference?” led by Ulster University, Stoke on Trent, UK in collaboration with British Ceramics Biennial, Staffordshire University, The potteries museum art gallery - co-funded by Creative Europe Programme of European Union.
• Thakkar, J. (Sep, 2017), Role of Crafts and Heritage in Interior Architecture Education. Institute of Architecture & Planning, Nirma University, Ahmedabad.
• Thakkar, J. (Aug, 2017), Interior Design: An Indian Context. Orientation Program, Anant National University (ANU), Ahmedabad.
• Thakkar, J. and Jain, R. (July, 2017), Redefining the educational perspective on crafts and heritage in Interior Architecture domain. International Conference on Heritage Management Education and Practice: Exploring Connections across Disciplines and Stakeholders. Centre for Heritage Management, Ahmedabad.
• Thakkar, J. (Apr, 2017), Redefining position of crafts in India. Keynote speaker at Varna 2017, K.S.School of Architecture, Bangalore.
• Thakkar, J. (Feb, 2017), Interior Design Education. Archiprix - Ahmedabad - CEPT 2017, Ahmedabad.
• Thakkar J. (Oct 2016), Model of Policy framework in Craft Sector, National Participatory Workshop "Safeguarding and Reviving Cultural Industries in Uttarakhand" under "Dharohar" (Ministry of Culture Project ), IIT Roorkee.
• Thakkar J., Iyer M. and Desai U., (Oct 2016), Sustainability and Habitat Education, WIPRO Western Region Sustainability Symposium, Theme: Sustainability in Higher Education, Ahmedabad.
• Thakkar J., (July 2016), Pol ni Adhbut Kashtkala, Dhal ni Pol no Varso Workshop, Mahila Housing Sewa Trust, Ahmedabad.
• Thakkar J. (Mar 2016), Journey of Indian wood crafts - Traditional built heritage to contemporary craft-design innovations, 2016 World Wood Day Symposium - Nature & Culture: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Peaceful Coexistence and Sustainable Development” At Nepal Academy, Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Thakkar J. (Mar 2016), Understanding crafts through an institutional framework of research, Department of Humanities and Social Science, IIT Kanpur.
• Thakkar J. (Jan 2016), Re-defining Building Crafts A holistic approach, Advisory Meeting of Community, Craft and Heritage Division, INTACH, Delhi.
• Thakkar J. (Oct 2015), Model of Policy framework in the Handicraft Sector, Consultative Workshop on Policy Challenges in the Handicrafts Sector in Gujarat at GIDR, Ahmedabad.
• Thakkar J. (Aug 2015) Research Action Model for Craft : An Institutional Framework for Dharohar: A Workshop on Craft and Skill Development for Sustainable Design CUDD, IIT Roorkee.
• Thakkar J. (May 2015), Role and Future of Design, Career Guidance Seminar on "Opportunities in Civil Engineering, Architecture and Design", organised by Gujarat Institute of Civil Engineers and Architects (GICEA), Ahmedabad.
• Thakkar J. (Jun 2015), Traditional and Vernacular Architecture of Gujarat at South Asian Decorative Arts and Crafts Collection (SADACC) Trust Norwich, United Kingdom.
• Thakkar J. (Jan 2015), Future of Craft, at National Craft Seminar 2015 ‘Karigari: Crafting the Future’, part of ‘Garvi Gurjari National Craft Fair and Summit 2014’ organised by Ministry of Cottage Industries, Government of Gujarat, India.
• Thakkar J. (Sep 2014) Launch of Building Craft Lab (BCL) at SID Foundation Day, Faculty of Design, CEPT University, Ahmedabad.
• Thakkar J. (Aug 2014) Relevance and importance of Digital Technology for promotion of Craft, at iNDEXT-C, Government of Gujarat, Gandhinagar.
• Thakkar J. (Feb 2014), Role of DICRC in promotion of Craft, National Craft Seminar 2014 - "Paramparaa: Future Craft Traditions”, part of ‘Garvi Gurjari National Craft Fair and Summit 2014’ organised by Ministry of Cottage Industries, Government of Gujarat, India.
• Thakkar J. (Jul 2013) Jatra with wood artisans, Relevance of Human Skills Based Crafts in Interior Design, Interactive workshop by Institute of Indian Interior Designers, Ahmedabad Chapter.
• Thakkar J. (Sep 2013) Importance of Craft and its role in design, A Workshop on craft collaboration organised by Craftroots at Ahmedabad Haat.
• Thakkar J. (Apr 2012) Learning from the Walled City of Ahmedabad, International Symposium On Heritage Management,  Asmita Samvad - A Dialogue On Heritage And Identity, Ahmedabad University.
• Thakkar J. (Jan 2012) DICRC Overview, Oikos Asia Meet 2012, Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Sustainable lifestyles, Ahmedabad.
• Thakkar J. (Nov 2011) Revival and Re-engagement of Space Making Crafts (Building Crafts) within Creative Industries, India Urban Conference -2011 (City in Public Culture), Infosys Campus, Mysore.
• Thakkar J. (May 2011) Understanding Space Making Craft and its application within Interior Architecture, Politecnico di Milano, Architecture and Planning (DIAP), Milan, Italy
• Thakkar J. (May 2011) Craft Expressions: Wood Carvings of Traditional Houses of Gujarat, l’École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), The French School of the Far East Gujarat & Sindh Studies, Paris, France
• Thakkar J. (April 2011) Space Making Craft in Heritage Conservation, Round Table Conference at Casa de la India & University of Valladolid, Spain
• Thakkar J. (April 2011) Looking beyond the obvious: learning from the ordinary houses, TEDx Presentation at Shri Padmapat Singhania University, Udaipur, Rajasthan
• Thakkar J., Morrison S. (Jan 2010) An Analysis of Kath-khuni Architecture as a Sustainable Humane Habitat in Himachal Pradesh, 11th International Conference on Humane Habitat (ICHH) 2009 by International Association for Humane Habitats (IAHH) at Rizvi College of Architecture, India.
• Thakkar J. (Oct 2009) Wooden Vernacular Architecture of Kumaon, Uttaranchal Masters in Interior Architecture & Design (MIAD), CEPT University
• Thakkar J. (Sep 2009) Ornamental Forms in Traditional Architecture of Gujarat, Masters in Interior Architecture & Design (MIAD), CEPT University
• Thakkar J. (Aug 2009) Wood in vernacular and traditional buildings of India, School of Interior Design, Faculty of Design, CEPT University, India
• Thakkar J., Morrison S. (Mar 2009) Matra:  A journey back home, National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
• Thakkar J., Morrison S. (Feb 2009) Making of Matra, Sinhgad College of Architecture, Pune, India
• Thakkar J. (Jan 2009) Field Work and Research in Himachal Pradesh,  CEPT University, India
• Thakkar J., Korjan D (Jan 2009) System Design: Conceptual Framework, Faculty of Design, CEPT University, India
• Thakkar J., Morrison S. (Jan 2009) Vernacular Architecture of India, Bharti Vidyapeeth College of Architecture (BVOC), Belapur, Navi Mumbai, India
• Thakkar J. (Dec 2008), Kath-khuni in Himachal Pradesh: Documenting and Practicing Tradition, IASTE Conference: Interrogating Tradition organized by University of California, Berkeley & Oxford Brookes University, Oxford United Kingdom
• Thakkar J. (Nov 2008) Matra- a Yatra (vernacular architecture of Himachal Pradesh), Royal College of Applied Science & Technology, Ras-Al-Khaimah, UAE, Canadian University of Dubai (CUD), UAE, Islamic Azad University (IAU), Dubai, UAE
• Thakkar J. (Nov 2007) Spaces and its Construction in Vernacular Built Forms of Himachal Pradesh, D. C. Patel School of Architecture (IED), Vallabh-Vidhyanagar, Gujarat.
• Thakkar J. (Sep 2007) Making of Matra: Built and unbuilt spaces, Seminar: Interior Design Traditions in India, CEPT University, Gujarat
• Thakkar J. (Mar 2007) Ornamental forms in traditional buildings of Gujarat, National School of Interior Design (NSID), Rajkot, Gujarat
• Thakkar J. (Nov 2006), Role of visual communication in Interior Design, Indian Institute of Interior Design, Ahmedabad

Professional Honors, Prizes, Fellowships, Grant-in Aids