An study tour for First and Second year students was conducted from 28th Jan 2011 to 8th February 2011 to Thiruvanathapuram in Kerala.

The four day workshop conducted by COSTFORD aims at introducing students to cost effective building practices in rural areas. There would be lectures on topics such as Social Action and Architecture by Nalini Naik, Designs by Laurie Baker by Shailaja Nair and Technology and Building Options. Site visits would include visits to various Baker structures like Centre for Development Studies, The Hamlet and Loyola Church and other COSTFORD sites. There will be hands on sessions to demonstrate construction of filler slab, rat trap bond, bonding, mud and bamboo.

Students would visit structures that have architectural, historical and cultural importance like India Coffee House, Natural History Museum, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Thaikottaram, Krishnapuram Palace, Kudair Palace, Kanakunnu Palace, Sri Chitra Art Gallery and Napier Museum. The group would be taken for a backwater boat ride in Kollam where they would be taken to small villages to see traditional houses and other village activities. There would be a Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performance for the students for them to be exposed other art forms of Kerala. Traditional local meals would also be served.