Department of Architecture had organised a First Year Orientation Week 2025–26 under the theme “Urban Nomads: Learning on Location”. The orientation program was designed to introduce students to architecture through experiential learning, creativity, teamwork, sustainability, heritage, and observation-based activities.

1. Psychology – Team Building
   An interactive psychology and team-building session was conducted to help students understand their strengths, weaknesses, communication styles, and group dynamics. Through engaging activities and discussions, students developed collaboration skills and learned the importance of teamwork in architectural practice.
2. Tree Plantation at Anandvan
   Students participated in an environmental awareness initiative at Anandvan, NIBM, involving tree plantation and sustainability-based activities. The session encouraged ecological sensitivity and introduced students to concepts of environmental responsibility and community participation.
3. Rolls & Rise Workshop
   A hands-on structural activity where students created tall structures using newspapers. The workshop focused on creativity, structural balance, problem-solving, and teamwork while introducing students to basic concepts of form and stability.
4. Photography – Capturing the City
   This activity introduced students to architectural photography and urban observation. Students explored the city and documented built spaces through photography, learning composition, framing, light, and visual storytelling in architecture.
5. Sustainable Clothing Workshop
   Students designed and created theme-based costumes using sustainable and recycled materials such as newspapers, jute, cardboard, and ropes. The activity encouraged innovation, sustainability awareness, and creative expression.
6. Hunnar Gurukul Visit
   A site visit to Hunnar Gurukul provided students exposure to traditional construction techniques and indigenous building materials. Students observed brick construction methods and gained an understanding of sustainable and context-responsive architecture.
7. Mandala Art Workshop
   The mandala art session focused on mindfulness, patience, concentration, and creativity. Through intricate patterns and compositions, students explored artistic expression and visual balance.
8. R.K. Laxman Museum & India House Visit
   Students visited the R.K. Laxman Museum and India House to understand the relationship between art, architecture, culture, and storytelling. The visit enhanced observational learning and appreciation for heritage spaces.
9. Architectural Sketching Workshop
   A basic architectural sketching and scribbling workshop introduced students to freehand drawing techniques and visual representation. Students learned to express spatial ideas through quick sketches and observational drawing.
10. CDSA Campus Visit
    Students visited the CDSA Campus to study sustainable campus planning, institutional architecture, and environmentally conscious design practices. The visit encouraged analytical observation and documentation.
11. Reflection of Master Architects
    An engaging activity where students sketched iconic buildings and explored the works of renowned architects. The exercise helped students connect architectural forms with design philosophies and architectural history.
12. PMA – Madhushala Visit
    This architectural site visit involved interaction with practicing architects to understand the design concept, process, and execution of a built project. Students also documented the project through sketches and discussions.
13. Caricature Workshop
    A creative caricature workshop encouraged students to experiment with architectural representation using expressive illustration techniques. The activity promoted imagination and visual communication skills.
14. Suzlon One Earth Visit
    The proposed visit to Suzlon One Earth aimed to expose students to sustainable and environmentally responsive corporate architecture, highlighting green building concepts and innovative workplace design.
15. Architectural Sketching – Watercolour Workshop
    An advanced sketching workshop focused on architectural rendering using watercolours. Students explored colour application, textures, and presentation techniques to enhance visual communication skills.
16. Heritage Walk – Shaniwar Wada
    The heritage walk at Shaniwar Wada introduced students to Pune’s historic architecture, urban character, and cultural heritage. The activity encouraged documentation, observation, and understanding of historical built environments.

 Hands-On Learning in Action! 

As part of the BMT–II (Building Materials & Techniques) subject for First Year, the School of Architecture and Planning, Vishwakarma University, Pune, conducted a full-day Hands-On Workshop on Timber Roof Truss Construction on 15 April 2026.

Guided by Ar. Dhruvang Hingmere (Workshop Key Person, Hunnar Gurukul) and coordinated by Ar. Amita Deshpande, students engaged in immersive learning through the execution of traditional timber joinery techniques and structural systems.

 Students actively participated in the construction of King Post, Queen Post, and Collar Trusses at a realistic scale, gaining hands-on exposure to timber tools, joinery detailing, and structural assembly processes.

 The workshop emphasized experiential learning, teamwork, and the transformation of architectural drawings into built form—strengthening students’ understanding of construction systems through practice-based learning.

An impactful step towards craft-based and experiential architectural education!

 Learning by Making – Timber Joinery Workshop 

As part of the BMT–II (Building Materials & Techniques) subject for First Year, the Department of Architecture at Vishwakarma University conducted a Hands-On Timber Joinery Workshop.

Guided by Ar. Amruta Naidu (Workshop Key Person) and coordinated by Ar. Amita Deshpande, students explored timber as a construction material and learned traditional joinery techniques through hands-on making.

 Students created timber joinery models and a staircase model, gaining insights into craftsmanship, precision, and construction detailing.

 The workshop emphasized experiential learning, helping students connect theory with real-world building practices.

 Hands-On Learning in Action! 

As part of the BMT–I (Building Materials & Techniques) subject for First Year, the School of Architecture and Planning, Vishwakarma University, Pune, conducted a 3-day Hands-On Workshop on Material Exploration (29 Sept – 1 Oct 2025).

Guided by Ar. Amruta Naidu (Workshop Key Person) and coordinated by Ar. Amita Deshpande, students explored sustainable and vernacular construction techniques through activities like mud mortar preparation, brick arches, jaali work, and wattle-and-daub panels.

 Learning by doing, students built arch benches, a jaali wall, and wall panels, gaining real-world construction insights.

 An engaging step towards practice-oriented and sustainable architectural education!