hjd institute kera an educational osasis in dry desert kutch by Pavan Ladkani from india

HJD Institute of Technical Education and Research is located on the outskirts of Kera village, Kutch, Gujarat, India. Having an educational institute of international standards with state-of-the-art facilities and education was a vision of the board of Shree Kanji Karsan Halai Trust, natives of Kera village. To provide for the vision, an institute with the contemporary and sustainable design concepts along with utilizing the locally available materials, lush green grasslands (in the midst of dry-desert Kutch) and vernacular skilled labor merged with advanced construction technology, was taken into consideration.

The institute comprises of buildings for different uses, i.e. Enginnering, Diploma, Workshops, Administration, Hostels, Dining halls, Canteen, etc. Apart from the built environment, the semi-built canteen and un-built spaces such as plazas, playgrounds, etc. were designed such to provide the students and staff maximum interaction with nature and surroundings. Special local artisans were hired to build the canteen on the principles of vernacular Kutch architecture, called the Bhoonga. (A Bhoonga is a traditional hut made with mud-bricks plastered with mud and roof made with thatch, constructed in circular form to defend from the scorching summer heat and keep the hut as cool as an A/c).

The institute is now a benchmark and ambition for the prospective students from far and wide the state and even country to pursue graduate education. It also has become a symbol of pride for the people of Kera and Kutch as it also attracts a number of visitors to marvel such a structure in the midst of nowhere. This has also inspired the people to build such magnificient buildings in other fields such as residences, commerce, arts, administration, hospitality, healthcare, etc. Many projects in these fields are under planning and some way under construction.

The natural Kutch oasis is going greener and merrier with such buildings around, providing more for the people than ever before.