A pioneering sustainable building project from India has gained international recognition by winning a €20,000 grant from the Swarovski Foundation. The award was granted as part of the Design for Sustainability initiative, a collaboration between the Swarovski Foundation and the United Nations Office for Partnerships.
The winning project, titled ‘Bioclad: Confluence of Biomaterials and Digital Craft,’ was conceived by a team of design professionals from the National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad. The team—comprising Ayushi Thakkar, Surabhi Kanetkar, and Yash Jhawar—developed a modular bio-cladding system using locally sourced, renewable materials, which are both biodegradable and carbon-negative.
Designed with digital fabrication techniques, the system incorporates waste byproducts such as bagasse, groundnut shells, and corn husks, creating a new avenue for eco-conscious façade solutions. It merges traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technology to address urban environmental challenges, particularly in the Indian context.
The project stood out among more than 1,300 global entries from over 80 countries, all evaluated by an expert jury for their impact on sustainable development goals. Bioclad was chosen as one of three grant recipients, with the funding aimed at helping the team further develop and potentially commercialise their innovation.
The Swarovski Foundation, through its commitment to fostering creative solutions for sustainability, seeks to empower the next generation of designers and architects. This recognition not only highlights the potential of bio-based cladding systems but also reinforces India’s role in driving environmentally responsible design on a global scale.
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