VES College of Architecture, Mumbai, recently held the 8th edition of its annual inter-collegiate festival, SHUNYA 8.0 “ĀYĀMA” with participation from students across educational institutions in the region. The fest was a week-long celebration of architecture, technology, art, sustainability and culture through featured workshops, expert interactions, competitions, creative activities and community engagements.
The event offered students a platform to learn, experiment and collaborate beyond the conventional architecture curriculum.
‘Converse’ programme brought students into interaction with architects, artists, technology professionals, entrepreneurs and creative practitioners. Speakers included Arzan Khambatta, architect and sculptor known for his distinctive metal sculptures, Rasik Raman Das, author and life-skills coach, Ar. Gerard D Cunha, known for his innovative work in vernacular architecture, Karan Mehta, who spoke about the growing role of digital content and storytelling, and Santosh Bade, who spoke about architectural photography.
Technology and new-age design also featured prominently through hands-on workshops and sessions on 3D printing, AI in Architecture, AR and VR, parametric and computational design, digital tectonics and additive fabrication.
Alongside these, alumni-led interactions, debates and quizzes, and activities encouraging students to engage more closely with and explore their own campus environment broadened the scope of participation across the festival.
The festival also celebrated artistic expression through a diverse range of workshops, spanning Macramé, Lippan Art, Digital Sketching, Silhouette Painting, Ink Illustration, Mandala Art and Resin Art, alongside Western Dance and other performance activities.
The celebrations concluded with an alumni meet and farewell ceremony, bringing together past and present members of the VESCOA community and marking an important moment for graduating students. The evening also featured academic awards recognising the accomplishments of faculty, staff and students, followed by cultural programmes that brought the five-day festival to a close with music, dance and student performances.
Together, these initiatives reflect VESCOA’s commitment to learning that extends beyond the classroom, combining creativity, participation and social responsibility. From the Waste Collection Drive promoting responsible disposal and recycling to the diverse activities at SHUNYA 8.0, the week encouraged students to engage, express themselves and contribute meaningfully to their community.
Speaking about the occasion, Dr. Prof. Anand Achari, Principal, VES College of Architecture, said, “SHUNYA 8.0 embodies our belief that a festival of this scale should bring together learning, creativity, celebration and camaraderie while cultivating an enduring spirit of inquiry. By bringing technology, art, professional discourse and community engagement together, the festival encourages students to engage with diverse modes of thought and appreciate the complex interplay of disciplines that is increasingly essential to their learning and development today.”
