Bangalore, June 04, 2025: In response to the looming public health crisis caused by rising temperatures and intense heat waves, a two-day event in Bengaluru confronted one of India’s most pressing urban challenges: Heat Stress, and its impact on informal sector workers, who struggle with limited access to shelter, cooling, water and sanitation.
Organised by People First Cities, an initiative by Purpose, and in a creative collaboration with the ATREE Heat Shelter Contest, Sweat & Concrete took place at the community Space Sabha, Bengaluru. The event was conducted in a largely bilingual format (Kannada and English), making it inclusive and participatory for visitors across demographics.
The exhibition was built around the unveiling of the prototype of Neralu Heat Shelter (Neralu translated to ‘shade’ in Kannada), the winning design from a national contest run by ATREE to provide a tangible solution to the issue of heat stress. Designed by architects Sagar and Ankrtiya, the Neralu Heat Shelter was inspired by the makeshift shade structures used by street vendors and workers, offering a collapsible microclimate that provides relief from extreme heat. Visitors and informal workers from communities around the city were invited to gather around the shelter, engaging directly with its design and functionality. They were also encouraged to share their feedback for further nuancing of the design.
Speaking about this collaborative initiative with People First Cities, the architects said: “We are thrilled to partner with People First Cities on this and bring our design to life. We collaborated on this project a year ago, connecting on a shared belief that design can create real social impact. We are also grateful to the many individuals across communities who shared their lived realities with us, as this greatly shaped our understanding of the subject and guided the design process.” Sagar Kandal & Ankritya Diggavi
Sweat & Concrete also showcased the five runners-up concepts from the ATREE Heat Shelter contest, and highlighted the experience of living through unrelenting heat through a multimedia exhibit. Visitors were also invited to take part in Scorched Shadows, an immersive performance art experience by local theatre troupe ‘Kahe Vidushak’, which included story-swaps and interactive ‘tableaus’ play with the attendees.
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