LIVING AND LEARNING CENTER FOR HANDLOOM

GUIDE: AR. BINUMOL TOM

ARCHITECTURE THESIS 2019-2020 | SREYA.A | S10 BARCH

INTRODUCTION
Kannur is a coastal city in the south Indian state of Kerala. It was an important trading
Centre in 12th century and were mostly ruled by Kolathiri Rajas. This place is famous for
communist politics and temple festivals. It is known as Land of Looms and Lores.
Azhikode is a small village in Kannur district and is famous for its handloom industry. The
quality handloom products, locally known as ‘Kaithari’, are made by hand by the weavers
with the help of handloom machines.
Azhikode is a coastal village situated in Kannur district of Kerala. The northern end of the
village is called Azhikkal. Villages like Alavil, Manal, Chirakkal, Puthiyatheru and
Valapattanam are connected to Azhikode. Vankulathvayal is one of the commercial centre in
azhikode. Because of quality and fame of Kannur handlooms, Kannur is commonly known as
the ‘Manchester of Kerala’. Kannur handloom industry includes the co-operative societies
both industrial and primary; khadi units and unorganized individual units.
So basically, the need for this project proposal is to provide facilities for to carry out the
weaving process, giving training for the younger generations with stipend and giving
employment for the weavers. Production and selling of this handcrafted product within in
Kerala. This will increase states cultural, socio-economic aspects.

AIM
•The project is aimed to design a self sustainable weaving centre for the weaving
community in kannur .
•To develope and promote handloom and its products by providing handloom textile
museum..

OBJECTIVES
•To study the vernacular settlement of weavers which has evolved in reponse to living and
cultural patterns adn sugguest steps to maintin and conserve this heritage
•To study the reasons for declining of the handloom industry in kannur
•To understand the tangible and intangible elements which is needed to prevent further
decline of the industry.
•Provide a platform for skill development of artisians to strengthen new skills and develop
new ones
•To provide a platform for the weavers and nift students to exhibit their skill and to market
their works.

SCOPE
The project focus on the upgradtion of the weaving indutry of kannur and helps to develop a
better marketing place.
REQUIREMENTS
Administration
Handloom Museum
Workshops
Exhibition space
Recreational space
Residential areas
Boutiques/shops
Food court
Library
Handloom unit
POSSIBILITY
The handloom industry is passing through a crisis. The project, aimed at boosting the
tourism and also intends to revive the handloom industry in the land of looms. Under this
project, all the houses will be redesigned to give it a uniform look and the families will be
provided the facility to work. As part of this project, a handloom museum will also be set up.
The industry is in a crisis and the new generation people are hesitant to come to this field.
However, this project would give the handloom industry a new face and it will definitely
attract more people to it thus benefiting the weaver community financially.