Center for Uru Building Practice – Keeping Afloat a Traditional Craft of Shipbuilding in Kerala, India | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

Beypore, a coastal town in Kerala, India, is home to a rare and exceptional group of artisans known as Uru boat makers. These artisans have devoted their lives to the meticulous art of creating handmade Uru boats, a craft that has been handed down through the generations. Creating these magnificent boats is a difficult process that takes two to five years to finish and requires the cooperation of fifteen to twenty-five skilled workers at any one time. 

Remarkably, a lot of these artisans start building boats at the young age of 17, having inherited this precious skill from their ancestors. The Beypore Uru boats are more than just boats; they are a living testament to the region’s glorious maritime past. Unfortunately, this invaluable craft runs the risk of becoming extinct in the face of modernization and changing times. This design thesis presents an ambitious architectural project that can address the socio-economic issues of the area to counter this threat and investigate the potential of Uru boat manufacturing as a cornerstone of cultural preservation and economic growth.

Design Process

The primary goal of this project is to examine the potential role of architecture in the revitalization and enhancement of the forgotten craft of Uru boat building in Beypore. The main objective is to improve this craft’s historical significance while simultaneously modernising its practices.

Concept: Cheena Vala, or cantilevered fishing nets, were introduced to Kochi between 1350 and 1450 AD by traders from Kublai Khan’s court or Chinese explorer Zhang He. These nets, gracefully poised and aligned along the beaches, create a breathtaking spectacle against the sunset. The design concept is inspired by these Chinese fishing nets in Kochi, making Uru’s construction itself an artistic endeavour.

The project will explore the complex relationship between the Modern yacht-making process and the Uru boat-making process, to uncover loopholes in the wooden dhow-making industry to achieve sustainable growth. 

Climate-Responsive Design: Kerala’s architecture utilizes natural ventilation and cooling strategies to regulate heat and humidity, with features like high ceilings, large windows, and elevated floors promoting air circulation.

Cultural Elements: The project blends traditional Kerala architectural features with contemporary design and construction methods, exploring optimum forms and program arrangements within the museum’s intricate woodwork and intricate woodwork.

In terms of industrial architecture, the project will also look at how traditional craftsmanship and sustainable shipbuilding methods can work together. It will specifically concentrate on the steel construction of boatshed facilities and integrate modern shipyard techniques.

Final Outcome

Despite its enormous potential in the tourism and industrial sectors, the Beypore uru-making industry is still not receiving enough mainstream attention and support. The industry is currently in a precarious state, thereby an integrated development proposal that ensures its long-term growth and empowers the marginalised artisans who carry on this age-old tradition is necessary. Thus, there are four key objectives of this architectural intervention.

Heritage Preservation: To promote the social, economic, cultural, and ecological significance of Beypore’s traditional shipbuilding culture in order to accelerate and revitalise it. By doing this, the project hopes to ensure this special craft’s long-term viability and the preservation of its rich history.

Economic Empowerment: To bolster the local economy by tapping into the tourism potential of Uru boat manufacturing. This includes establishing a sustainable market for Uru boats and associated goods, as well as job opportunities and skill development initiatives.

Cultural Promotion: To celebrate the Uru boat-making tradition as an integral part of Beypore’s cultural identity. This involves creating spaces that showcase the history, artistry, and craftsmanship behind Uru boat manufacturing, thereby attracting cultural enthusiasts and tourists. 

Environmental Sustainability: To align Uru boat manufacturing with the global push towards sustainable industries by implementing eco-friendly practices. By adopting green shipbuilding practices, Beypore can help India realise its goal of becoming a worldwide centre for ecologically conscious shipbuilding by 2030.

Conclusion: Through an integrated development proposal, the project ensures a long term growth and empowerment of the uru-making industry. It promotes and preserves the long-forgotten craft of Uru (fat boat) manufacturing in Beypore, thereby enhancing its heritage value.

[This Academic Project has been published with text submitted by the student]