What’s Brewing at Ethos Foundation?

EthosFoundation · September 19, 2025, 7:13am

There’s something very significant awaiting us in Goa, and it connects beautifully with a journey that began years ago.

When Ar. Gita Balakrishnan first set out on foot, it wasn’t just about covering distances. Her inaugural walk from Kolkata to Delhi in 2022 was a call to action — to spark conversations on how design can build a more inclusive, equitable world. Every step became a dialogue, every halt an opportunity to listen, reflect, and engage.

Since then, her walks have come to symbolize much more than a physical act of moving forward. They embody the spirit of participation, of making space for unheard voices, and of showing that true change often begins outside boardrooms, on the road, amidst people.

Now, as she prepares to walk once again — this time toward something momentous in Goa — Ethos Foundation is proud to see her continue carrying the values we deeply believe in. It’s a reminder that our strides, big or small, can leave footprints of awareness, dignity, and inclusion.

Stay tuned as we take these steps forward — together.

EthosFoundation · September 24, 2025, 11:01am

Immersive Conversation with Educators

Ethos Foundation is set to host a series of immersive conversations that bring 16 educators from 16 architectural colleges across India to talk about the pedagogical framework in their respective colleges and to also discuss the key challenges in teaching and learning.

The conversations will cover the following theme:

Curriculum and pedagogy,
Professional preparedness and industry linkages,
Collaborative and community learning, and
Faculty development and empowerment.

These conversations aim to surface both the strengths that keep institutions moving forward and the systemic gaps that hold them back.

EthosFoundation · September 26, 2025, 9:51am

Report: Innovation Talk Series

The Ethos Foundation, in association with the Rainmatter Foundation, recently hosted its inspiring Innovation Talk Series on September 13, 2025. The session featured pioneers in social, digital, and material innovation, with the goal of mentoring aspiring individuals who have innovative project ideas but face challenges in bringing them to life.

Snehal Joshi, co-founder of Design Nonstop, spoke about using design as a tool for community empowerment. She showcased how simplicity and cultural roots can create powerful social impact, from designing accessible medical equipment to reviving folk and tribal art through Laakhi.

Joy Mondal, Head of WEsearch Lab, highlighted the role of technology in solving real-world challenges. His work, which includes AI tools to combat design plagiarism and digital safety predictors for urban spaces, offered participants a clear roadmap for taking ideas from concept to reality.

Tejas Sidnal, founder of Carbon Craft Design, shared his breakthrough in turning carbon emissions into Carbon Tiles. His talk emphasized the potential of reimagining everyday materials to combat climate change and reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint.

The session offered diverse perspectives on how to approach projects in different disciplines and bring them from a nascent idea to a real-world application. Participants gained valuable knowledge through a question-and-answer session, where they were able to interact directly with the mentors and get their doubts cleared.

Overall, the Innovation Talk Series served as a powerful platform for bridging the gap between innovative ideas and their real-world application, empowering aspiring innovators by connecting them with seasoned pioneers in social, digital, and material innovation.

EthosFoundation · October 1, 2025, 7:24am

Hey everyone! Gita, founder of Ethos Arcause is kicking off a powerful 100 km walk as part of International Purple Fest from October 4th to October 9th! She’s covering some serious ground: from Goa-Karwar border - Mashem - Karmal Ghat - Chinchinim - Salcete - Goa Medical College - Panjim bus stop - Campal Gardens - Entertainment Society Goa

We need your local expertise! We’re hunting for cool “Purple Pit Stops” right along her specific route where she can drop in for a quick hello and chat about Universal Design. Think schools, special needs centers, orphanages, or churches/community hubs—any welcoming spot!

Do you agree or disagree that incorporating Universal Design principles from the start of a project (e.g., a building, a website) ultimately saves time and money compared to making accessibility modifications later?[poll type=regular results=always public=true chartType=bar]

Agree (It saves time and money)
Disagree (It adds complexity and cost upfront)
[/poll]

EthosFoundation · October 6, 2025, 4:53am

Report – September 2025

This September was nothing short of inspiring at Ethos Foundation — a month of fresh ideas, bold conversations, and powerful representations that brought our vision of design for impact to life.

The SNS Lecture Series 19.0 returned with a bang under the Ethos–Rainmatter partnership. Ar. Zeenat Niazi showed how circular thinking transforms challenges into opportunities, while Ar. Pooja Khairnar inspired with her call for contextual and inclusive design. With over 1,058 registrations, the energy was electric — a generation ready to design for a future that cares.

The Innovation Series saw ideas come alive, hosted by Ethos Arcause with Rainmatter Foundation. From Snehal Joshi’s stories of design empowering communities, to Joy Mondal’s tech-driven breakthroughs, to Tejas Sidnal’s game-changing Carbon Tiles — the session was packed with inspiration. Participants walked away with real strategies to turn concepts into reality.

The Immersive Conversations with Educators gathered 16 educators from 16 colleges across India in one powerful dialogue. Voices from across the country shared insights on pedagogy, industry linkages, collaborative learning, and faculty empowerment. The result was a set of honest conversations that celebrated strengths while boldly acknowledging gaps in architectural education.

As colleges and students form an integral part of our universe, we are thrilled to share that new Arcause Clubs have joined our journey this month! Bhartiya Vidyapeeth and Rachana Sansad came on board as fresh signings, while our partnership with Brick School of Architecture was proudly renewed, reaffirming a shared vision for design with purpose. And the momentum doesn’t stop there — today we are at Dayanand Sagar, sparking conversations on walking the talk and rethinking accessibility. Each new collaboration is a step toward building a stronger, more inclusive movement, and we couldn’t be more excited.

At the Arcause Club Showcase, students stepped forward with creativity, ideas, and action, presenting projects that highlighted how design can shape a better world. It was a celebration of youthful energy, innovation, and the growing movement of Arcause Clubs across campuses.

At the Purple Fest, a vibrant national celebration of inclusivity, Ethos Foundation will be represented by Ar. Gita Balakrishnan. From cultural showcases and adaptive sports to hard-hitting discussions, the fest will be a movement in itself, and at Ethos Foundation, we are proud to disseminate our vision of accessibility and equity for all.
Rainmatter_Report_September_compressed.pdf (5.2 MB)

EthosFoundation · October 7, 2025, 3:47pm

The APNA Arcause Purple Walk—Goa 100 was flagged off by Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Ramesh Tawadkar, Minister of Social Welfare, Subhash Phal Desai and Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities, Guruprasad Pawaskar in Canacona.

This walk is not just about covering distance—it’s about creating conversations on accessibility, empathy, and inclusive design. Aligned with the spirit of the International Purple Fest, India’s premier festival of inclusivity, architect Gita Balakrishnan has embarked upon this unique walk where all the conversations, interactions, and activities aim at sensitizing the citizens and prioritising universal accessibility over several other aspects of the environment.

At the government library and the primary health care center located in Balli, lively discussions unfolded with staff, patients, and citizens—focusing on accessibility as a right, not a compromise. The team, along with Gita, highlighted simple design interventions that can make public buildings more welcoming and functional for all.

Founded by a 21-year-old, the tribal school “Shree Balram Residential High School, Canacona, Goa” stands as a testament to the power of individual initiative. Gita interacted with students and teachers, sparking conversations on how universal accessibility can transform learning spaces.

Along the way, she connected with residents, vendors, daily wage labourers, and maintenance staff, turning the walk into a moving forum for dialogue and learning.

This is just the beginning!

Stay tuned as the Purple Walk continues to build awareness, inspire change, and make accessibility everyone’s business.

If you’re nearby, come be part of the movement! Join Gita and the Purple Walk team for the closing ceremony at Campal Garden on 8th October at 4:30 PM—let’s celebrate accessibility and inclusivity together.