Weavers village: Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu/

Abstract

The handloom weaving tradition of Koorai Nadu sarees in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, stands at a critical juncture with only 30 active weavers remaining in a once-thriving craft ecosystem. This degenerative flux threatens not only a centuries-old cultural heritage but also the socioeconomic fabric of the region. The younger generation's reluctance to pursue this traditional craft stems from inadequate income, poor working conditions, and limited market access in the face of mechanized competition. This thesis proposes an integrated Weavers Village as a holistic intervention to revitalize the handloom industry while creating a sustainable model that preserves cultural heritage and improves livelihoods. The project encompasses a multi-faceted approach: a housing cluster for 28 weaver families where craft practice and display are integrated into residential spaces; a handloom center accommodating 53 weavers as a community workspace; a handloom school providing residential training facilities for 30 apprentices; craft workshops for visitor engagement; and a traditional marketplace fostering direct economic opportunities. The architectural intervention is conceived as a living museum where the boundaries between craft production, learning, exhibition, and commerce dissolve to create immersive experiences for both practitioners and visitors. By reimagining the spatial dynamics of weaving, the design honors vernacular building traditions while introducing contemporary elements that enhance functionality and comfort. Beyond physical infrastructure, the project addresses critical linkages between built environment, economic viability, and cultural sustainability. The proposal establishes pathways for knowledge transfer, creates platforms for direct market access, and positions the village as a cultural tourism destination—generating supplementary income streams for the community. The Weavers Village aims to recapture the spirit of place of traditional handloom clusters by establishing interdependencies between preservation and innovation, production and education, livelihood and heritage. This intervention serves as a prototype for revitalizing similar endangered craft clusters across India, demonstrating how architectural solutions integrated with economic and cultural considerations can transform communities facing extinction of their traditional practices. Keywords: Handloom Revival, Cultural Preservation, Koorai Nadu Sarees, Living Museum, Community Resilience, Craft Tourism, Vernacular Architecture, Sustainable Livelihoods