Handstorming is the alter-ego of its more cerebral version and geared towards a collective hands-on experience that makes and constructs in real time and space. It was the main mode of operation in our workshop with NYU AD students and produced some impressive and practical tools and objects.

Architecture academics makes it difficult for the student to understand the practicality of the profession. This hands-on approach was taken by urbz and the team so that the students could understand the depth of it.

Since 2016, students of the Engineers for Social Impact studio at NYU AD (New York University's campus in Abu Dhabi) have spent one week handstorming in Dharavi, Mumbai. The idea is to research, observe, ideate and handstorm during the week-long workshop, the learning of which are further researched and developed in the studio upon their return to Abu Dhabi. These annual Handstorm workshops in Dharavi generate incremental innovations that improve the quality of life in this massive settlement.

Exploring the visual anatomy of Dharavi's fishing village.

Over the last few months, we at urbz have been talking about interventions to engage with the ecological and economic aspects of the mangroves. So we went on an expedition to explore the mangroves near Dharavi.

In this article, we situate ourselves in Chile and examine homegrown neighbourhoods in various terrains.

An afternoon rendezvous with Vasu Mama, as he narrates about his long-lived and rich life in Dharavi, his current routine post retirement, his values, ideas and opinions about Dharavi and its future.

All you need to bring along are your hands, a desire to produce something useful and beautiful which you feel the residents would love to use and loads of enthusiasm.

Local contractor Amar Madhukar Nirjankar constructs the most affordable house for one of his clients in Bhandup's homegrown neighbourhood.