Zone 5 ZNC 67th Year NASA India: Echoes of Deccan

The Zonal NASA Convention (ZNC) of Zone 5, held from October 25th to 27th, 2024, at Aurora’s Design Academy, Hyderabad, stood out as one of the most engaging chapters of the 67th year of NASA India. With the theme “Echoes of Deccan”, the event celebrated the rich architectural legacy, cultural vibrancy, and contemporary relevance of the Deccan region, creating a platform where history and modernity resonated together.

Zone 5, one of NASA India’s largest zones, brought together architecture students from numerous colleges to participate in a dynamic mix of workshops, keynote addresses, competitions, and panel discussions. Each activity was carefully crafted around the central theme, encouraging students to explore the Deccan’s architectural traditions while critically examining how they inform present-day design practices.

The convention emphasized learning beyond classrooms. Students engaged in hands-on workshops that introduced innovative building techniques, heritage documentation, and design ideation rooted in regional identity. Keynote speakers—eminent architects, scholars, and practitioners—offered deep insights into the evolution of Deccan architecture, highlighting how its syncretic styles continue to inspire contemporary thought and practice.

The theme “Echoes of Deccan” resonated throughout the event, not only as a historical reflection but as a call to reinterpret and adapt traditional wisdom to modern challenges such as sustainability, climate responsiveness, and cultural continuity. Panel discussions further enriched this dialogue, with students actively participating and contributing fresh perspectives to the discourse.

The convention also served as an invaluable networking hub, enabling participants to connect with peers, faculty, and professionals from across the zone. Beyond academics, it celebrated the spirit of NASA India—collaboration, creativity, and community—through cultural evenings, informal interactions, and collective experiences that fostered bonds extending beyond the convention days.

As the curtains closed on Zone 5 ZNC 2024, it left participants with more than just memories—it sparked renewed inspiration to engage with architecture through the lens of context, culture, and continuity. The event truly embodied NASA India’s vision of nurturing young architects who are not only skilled designers but also thoughtful custodians of heritage and innovators for the future.