KOCHI:
Painted in unconventional colour patterns, seven auto-rickshaws have begun plying in the city as part of the upcoming Kochi Design Week (KDW) beginning this Thursday with the generating new-age ideas about building sustainable infrastructure.
Ernakulam District Collector P Suhas flagged off the multi-hued three-wheelers at a function in the collectorate at Kakkanad today ahead of the December 12-14 KDW that is slated to discuss the latest trends in design and architecture. The rickshaws, which will provide free transportation between Ernakulam and adjacent Bolgatty Island which is the KDW venue, have been designed by students of the International School of Creative Arts (ISCA) as a knowledge partner of the three-day event.
Sporting pink, blue and yellow among other colours after securing special permission from the motor transport department, the three-wheelers will also ply along other parts of the city. Done using poly art and floral design, the painting caters to popular tastes, according to Edwin Johnson of ISCA who led the design team. “The idea is to woo as many people. That is why we have gone for attractive colours and off-beat designs,” he said.
Billed as India’s largest annual international festival of its kind, Kochi Design Week, gives creative minds a platform to meet and brainstorm on new facets in design and architecture. The meet, now into its second edition, will witness the assemblage of more than 5,000 design professionals, architects, interior designers, thought leaders, policymakers and government officials besides the general public. Curated by leading experts, KDW will chiefly hold sessions on design and architecture, exhibitions and installations.
For registrations, visit http://kochidesignweek.org