The Assam engineer’s journey from global construction projects to regenerative farming and bamboo architecture finds place at the first ever National Permaculture Conference 2026 being held at The Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru.
Guwahati/Bengaluru: For years, Piyush Sharma worked with some of the most advanced construction systems across the world- from Singapore's public housing projects to infrastructure projects in India's remote Himalayan regions. With a Civil Engineering degree from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and a Master's in Structural Engineering from Imperial College London, he had built a career around concrete, steel and conventional construction.
But somewhere along the way, a question kept coming back to him-Can modern construction learn from traditional wisdom? Can buildings become part of nature instead of standing apart from it?
That question led the Assam-born engineer towards sustainable construction, bamboo architecture and eventually permaculture- a journey that is now creating new possibilities for farming, rural livelihoods and eco-conscious living.
Piyush's story was highlighted at the first ever National Permaculture Conference 2026, being held at The Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru, where farmers, agricultural experts, practitioners and changemakers gathered to explore the theme "Bringing Ecology and Agriculture Together."
The conference, inaugurated in the presence of the global spiritual leader and humanitarian, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Hon. Minister for Major and Medium Irrigation, Govt of Karnataka, N. Chaluvaraya Swamy and NABARD Chairman, Dr. Shaji Krishnan, focused on moving towards regenerative agriculture by working with nature rather than trying to control it.
Gurudev emphasised that the transition towards natural agriculture is not only a farming practice but a shift in consciousness -"We need to honour nature's intelligence over human greed."
Agriculture, he said, cannot be viewed in isolation from the larger ecosystem of water, consumers, markets, institutions and human wellbeing.
"The work of the Art of Living is to connect people. Connect the bank with the farmer. Bring consumers and producers together. When we connect everyone, society benefits," Gurudev said.
For Piyush, this philosophy reflects his own journey of moving from conventional construction towards materials and methods that respect ecological balance.
Rediscovering Bamboo: Assam's Traditional Material for Modern Buildings
After working in the construction sector for several years, Piyush started Ekarth Studio with architect Neha Jain to explore sustainable construction using traditional materials in a modern way.
One of their key focuses has been bamboo-a material deeply connected with Assam and the Northeast, but often overlooked in modern construction.
"Traditional materials need to be revived in a refined way so that they become relevant for today's world," he says.
Through workshops and projects, Piyush and his team have explored bamboo not merely as decoration but as a structural material capable of replacing conventional materials in certain applications.
He believes bamboo has enormous potential because it benefits both the environment and local communities. Farmers can grow bamboo as a crop, while artisans and local industries can benefit from its growing demand.
A Four-Acre Experiment: When Soil Began to Heal
Piyush's connection with permaculture began after discovering Art of Living's Permaculture Programme around 2022. Inspired by videos on the subject, he joined the programme at The Art of Living International Centre in Bengaluru.
The programme changed the way he looked at land.
Earlier, farming on his four-acre property had not produced the results he expected. But after applying permaculture principles, the land began responding differently.
Without using pesticides or chemical fertilisers, the farm started producing seasonal vegetables. The biggest change was not just the harvest, but the improvement in soil fertility and the understanding that farming is an interconnected system involving soil, water, crops and biodiversity.
Piyush says permaculture taught him to look at farming as a complete ecosystem -understanding water requirements, soil conditions, suitable seasonal crops and income potential before making decisions.
Today, his farm grows vegetables such as bottle gourd, tori, bitter gourd, okra and brinjal depending on the season. Beyond production, the journey has created greater awareness within his family about clean food and healthier choices.
Firefly: Assam's Bamboo Villa Shows Another Possibility
One of Piyush's most remarkable projects is Firefly, a bamboo villa in Assam.
Built in an earthquake-prone region, the double-storey structure stands around 40 feet tall and is made entirely using bamboo. Designed by his studio, the project demonstrates that traditional materials can create modern, comfortable spaces.
The project also incorporates permaculture thinking, including a kitchen garden designed using principles learned through the programme.
For Piyush, sustainable architecture is incomplete without sustainable landscapes.
"A sustainable building is not only about the structure. It is also about the land around it, how food is grown and how the entire ecosystem functions," is the idea guiding his work.
Bamboo: A Future for Assam's Farmers
Piyush is also encouraging farmers in neighbouring villages to cultivate suitable bamboo species by providing assured purchase opportunities.
He believes bamboo can become an important livelihood opportunity for Assam and the Northeast, with applications ranging from construction and furniture to several other industries.
Beyond economics, bamboo also plays an ecological role. Its root system helps conserve soil and can support areas vulnerable to erosion and landslides, particularly in hilly regions.
Taking Sustainable Ideas to Larger Platforms
Piyush and his team recently completed the Ilaiyaraaja School of Music at IIT Madras, where bamboo and mud blocks were used to create a public institution at scale.
For him, projects like these prove that sustainable materials can move beyond small experimental structures and become part of mainstream architecture.
He is also exploring possibilities for a bamboo meditation hall at the upcoming Art of Living Ashram in Guwahati, envisioning a structure that demonstrates the strength and beauty of bamboo.
A Message from Assam to the World
As discussions at the National Permaculture Conference continue around soil health, water conservation, biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods, Piyush's journey represents the larger message of regenerative living, that solutions for the future may already exist in traditions of the past.
His vision is simple- grow food sustainably, build responsibly and create systems where nature and people thrive together.
"We might be a drop in the ocean, but even that drop matters," says Piyush.
And from Assam's bamboo landscapes to global conversations on sustainability, that single drop is creating ripples.
Also Read: Multi-layer permaculture and non-watershed projects inaugurated