Book Summary
Learning the basics of design for the Indian students of architecture at the
entry level can be offered through an array of methods and interpretations.
This book is a demonstration of one of those pedagogical stances using the
Heuristic method and the teacher’s expressional guidance. In this
pedagogy, the idea of a student ‘making a mistake’ resulting in a guilt-
ridden participation is ruled out right from the inception. Consequently,
while teaching the course, it was observed that almost all students owned
up their ideas while creatively working on the development and
transformation of the exercises. This is where the teacher enters as a guide,
suggesting, “What if, done like this or why do not try it the other way
around”. The book is inspired by the reminiscent responses of many of the
students who had gone through the Basic Design I and II courses at CEPT
University in Ahmedabad. Prof. Miki Desai has authored this book with the
exercises and supportive illustrations that constitute the documentation of
the work that was produced in a span of 30 years commencing from 1981.