Ridho Cairns

Trials with Mangalore Tiles

Ridho Cairns — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 11:49:13 +0000

Unexpectedly, or perhaps, expectedly, I have more to discuss on the topic of the Mangalore Tile. Much more in fact—a disclaimer for what is to come. In my previous blog post: From Marseille to Beyond Mysore Travels the Mangalore, I wrote about the history, cultural value and manufacturing source of this conspicuous roofing material native …

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From Marseille to Beyond Mysore Travels the Mangalore

Ridho Cairns — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 13:07:32 +0000

Sitting ahead is the Arabian Sea. I sit on the Malabar Coast. Like any sea view it is a glorious open expanse, particularly to my groggy eyes after having hopped off an overnight sleeper bus but an hour earlier. There is an idleness in the air, owed to the surrounding neighborhood yet to arise from …

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Know Thy Material

Ridho Cairns — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 06:10:12 +0000

I aim to reveal my thoughts in the design process of a handrail conceived and fabricated over a year ago. The intention is to give insight to curious others of a way of designing for the most minute of details. The method bears resemblance to the holistic approach needed in the design of buildings as …

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Another Day, Another Lockdown

Ridho Cairns — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 17:24:05 +0000

Disclaimer for all those reading this on mobile: forgive me for this website is still a work in process, and I have yet to have the time to fix any odd occurances, especially with the mobile site menu and header. The day earlier, I had attempted to remove a clump of nungu fruit from the …

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Mazhai Kaalam

Ridho Cairns — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 17:15:16 +0000

A man stands upon the threshold where a dirt road meets a paved road. A light mist coats the air and soothes his lungs. A troupe of fireflies flutter past him through the blackness, to the tune of a thousand croaking frogs. Cows stare at him from a distance; at the lone curious man. His …

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Questions of Travel

Ridho Cairns — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 16:50:00 +0000

This blog title is derived from a book based on a travel journal of William Morris, a British textile designer and icon of the Arts and Craft Movement during the 19th century. This journal encompasses his foray on horseback, across the volcanic desert plains of Iceland. It is a little blue book sized to fit …

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On Paths Uncharted

Ridho Cairns — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 18:07:10 +0000

October 2020. It has now been over a year since I left Australia. Combining my two previous ventures in India – alongside a few months in Nepal – I have spent a total of one year and eleven months in the subcontinent. The past year has given me a lot of time to think about …

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To Check or Not to Check

Ridho Cairns — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 13:55:53 +0000

It was a pleasant Monday morning. As I was setting myself up for the day ahead I decided to phone call Mohan, our building contractor. Good Ol’ Mo. I wanted to inform him about a plumbing drawing I was about to send, as well as get a quick overview about what was happening on the …

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Memory Haveli

Ridho Cairns — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 01:00:05 +0000

When assigned with designing a home – whether for singular or multiple people – I find that it is my lived experience of spaces that prove to be intrinsically valuable. The moments that rebound and cling to me as I travel the palace that is memory. These experiences, reanimated in my minds eye, are often …

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Filler Slab Friday

Ridho Cairns — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 11:00:10 +0000

Today was rather more action-packed than usual, work-wise. Concreting for a floor of a small building was scheduled to begin in the morning, and I went to check it out before they started pouring. This had been planned a few days in advance and I intended to go with my colleague Madhi, who also wanted …

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