VARANASI WEAVER’S ATELIER

AND HOUSING
Brief of the Project
Culture is what defines the community. Sometimes it resides in the architecture of the place
but also in the long living tradition of the art that signifies the beauty of the city. Its social
ways and habits and how the members go about their daily lives shape this culture, which is
again a reflection of the profession they pursue. The Art of Weaving is one of the intricate
art that personifies the oldest culture of the country. Nowadays, the textile market is getting a
marking boom in the production among the coming future generation and the importance of
handmade products and their delicacy have developed a keen interest of the fashion designers
around the world.

Varanasi besides being a holy place also holds the position of world famous centre of
handmade textiles. The ancient traditions of weaving are more preserved in Varanasi than
anywhere else.

But a recent study showed a significant decline in the subsequent years ,in the handloom
census because of the major shift of people towards other jobs or to the power loom. The rise
of power looms, increasingly fast fashion calendars, and the industry trend towards factory
production has lead to a 50% decline in traditional handloom over the past 10 years. The 800
year old traditional art of weaving is on the verge of extinction and the people involved are
living a pathetic life. Their traditional houses are turning to ruins since weavers have no
money to invest on their housing conditions. As a basic need of shelter, weavers do have a
roof over their head but increasing family sizes generations after generations have led to a
situation where they can neither move out of the existing living situation due lack of proper
income nor is it easy to live in the existing housing conditions.

Statement of Purpose

Handicrafts of Varanasi like Banarasi Saree has turnover in crores and also has huge export
value. But the lackadaisical public policy for long time towards weaver, has led their
marginalized population to create slums and live in sub-human environment. All the benefits
of the policies has been taken away either by Gaddidars (traders) or Grihasthas (master
weavers). The situation of weavers of Varanasi has become very vulnerable. After doing 12hr
work, compromising their health, they receive wages less than the construction labour who
works for only 6hr a day. Problem of debt from Gaddidars/ Grihasthas lead to cases of com

Since the Land there belongs to a king of Varanasi. He used to give land to the
bunker/weaver in the form of gift whenever they were in need. Because of this which the
weavers living there do not have any kind of property documents. And with the increase in
family size or disputes among the family lead to shifting of weavers in fringe areas.

People of weavers community are facing acute poverty, making it barely possible to make
their both end meet in a day to day life. With increasing competition in the field, availability
of cheaper, power-loom alternatives have hit the demand and manufacturing process of saree
pushing the workers into much worse conditions. Weavers are living a pitiful life do not wish
to pass on this art to their generations to come, hence the future of this tradition is at stake.

Relevance of the Project

Since there have been many studies on economic and social aspects of weavers but none of
them has focused on the physical characteristics of housing and its impact on weavers,
though weaving is a home based activity. Women working in the informal craft sector are
often largely invisible within the home. The project aims to bring greater visibility to these
women and to achieve formalization of their cutting and sewing roles—making them feel
equal and empowered.

Supporting the overall business development, the project also provides young artisans hands
on mentorship and their own business operations ensuring that business is ready for the
increased growth in market. It will also focuses on promoting traditional craft and supporting
sustainable livelihoods for handloom weavers by ensuring payment of fair wages and
provision of additional social services. In the atelier, people from different caste, religion and
sexes will work together being united at a place from different backgrounds. The vision is for
the facility to simultaneously provide Varanasi weavers access to vital needs like clean water,
social services and dedicated communal spaces that promote mutual understanding and
respect between men and women of every religion and caste.
Through the facility in Varanasi, the project intends to help handloom weaving artisans
reclaim their livelihoods—by providing them fair market access to compete with increasing
use of power looms and cheap factory labour.

It will also strive to elevate the perception and value of Varanasi handloom silk, bringing
awareness to and praise for the luxurious craft and the talented artisans who make it possible.
Built upon the belief that artisan tradition is powerful enough to generate profit as well as
impact positive social change, the project is designed to serve not only as a weaving facility
but also as a full-fledged community centre—where all weavers feel comfortable, happy, and
at ease.

Types of Project

Category of Use

The project will comes more under the category of housing with progressive facilities of
handlooms catering the entire community of the weavers residing. The handloom workshops
will rather help to create employment opportunities promoting their home based working
lifestyle. Since most of the handlooms weavers have their looms inside their houses, the
projects tends to create a perfect balance of working and living conditions of the Varanasi
weavers. The focus is not only on economical aspect but also physical characteristic of
housing and its surrounding environment as weaving is a Home Based Enterprises.

Function Based Project

The project will be focussing more on the functionalities of the weavers profession and their
way of working and living lifestyle but also it can be based on the concept and ideas aiming
at providing a better life with a better place.

Major Requirements

 Residential Dwelling Units

 Handlooms and Workspaces
 Community spaces
 Open Courtyards
 On-site Healthcare Facilities for Weavers
 Exhibition Spaces
Brief Idea of Two Electives

 Vernacular Architecture
Basically It is an architectural style that is designed based on local needs, availability
of construction materials and reflecting local traditions, but in the project it will be
implemented in the construction methods for affordable housing.
 Landscape Architecture
Landscape will play an important role in the congregation of the people from different
communities and in maintaining a healthy environment among the weavers.