Mechanical installation in the Himalayas.
Thesis Project / Live Client Implementation.
Imagine standing eye-level with a bird. Stretch your arms wide, its wingspan doubles that reach. An experience where wonder replaces understanding, transforming a fleeting interaction into a lasting connection with the wild.
Contextual Inquiry
Himachal Pradesh, a popular summer destination in nothern India, draws tourists for its stunning Himalayan views and natural beauty. Despite being a rich habitat for diverse flora and fauna, tourists often remain unaware of this biodiversity. To address this, the forest department aims to enhance visitor education by using design interventions in spaces like nature parks and zoos.
The mountains are home to magnificent birds of prey that soar above the valleys and peaks, maintaining the region's ecological balance.
These are birds with wingspans ranging from 7 to 10 feet, yet very few are aware of them, and fewer still have seen them up close.
① Griffon Vulture
- Wingspan: upto 9.8 feet
- Flies at 5,000-11,500 feet
- Nature's cleanup crew, feeding on carrion
② Golden Eagle
- Wingspan: upto 7.7 feet
- Soars at 12,000 feet
- Powerful hunters with remarkable eyesight
③ Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture)
- Wingspan: upto 9.8 feet
- Soars up to 24,000 feet
- Drops bones from heights to access marrow
The Vision
Transform passive observation into visceral encounter. Life-size kinetic sculptures let visitors experience the true scale and presence of Himachal's raptors, turning facts into wonder and wonder into care.
A Personal Note
This project is different from my usual design work. It connects directly to my childhood.
I grew up on an engineering college campus surrounded by forest. I spent hours watching animals and building mechanical sculptures. That combination shaped how I see the world.
Since this was my final thesis in undergrad, I wanted to combine these passions and push myself to build something real for people to interact with. I ideated multiple concepts that used mechanisms and motion to create curiosity and wonder for visitors.
When I learned tourists in Himachal Pradesh were missing the region's incredible biodiversity, including declining raptor populations, I saw an opportunity.
I designed a kinetic installation that turns passive viewing into active engagement. The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department approved it and commissioned its fabrication and installation.
What started as a thesis became real.
Evolution of the Mechanism
The mechanism evolved from initial sketches through low-fidelity prototypes using popsicle sticks, paper, and PVC pipes to refine the wing movement. A fully functional analogue prototype validated the physics before translation into technical specifications and fabrication guides. These directed a team of technicians who assembled the final version in welded metal with high-torque motors and sensors.
Selected Iterations showing progress in material choice and mechanisms.
First working prototype.
Pictures of the built installation:
📍Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India.
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