Ameet Singh writes about how even though the Indus Valley Civilization was an early urban centre, the megacities of India face quite a few challenges, despite modern India’s governance. He further talks about a few solutions that could help enhance the quality of life in Indian cities.
Project called for design of group housing comprising of units of multiple sizes catering to various income group, sizes ranging from 1200 to 2400 sqft. We started with a vision of creating architecture for the community wellbeing and active lifestyle in a holistic way. This was achieved by creating a central public space energized by play areas, swimming pool, party spaces, gaming zones, lounges, dance floors etc, – CnT Architects
Roshini Pushparaj explores how nakabandis, often seen as temporary roadblocks for security, hold a more permanent role in shaping traffic flow. The essay is a part of special mention entries for Urban Imprints essay writing contest, March-April 2024.
At Tashkent, the Uzbekistan capital we board an amazing Soviet era YAK 40 (Yakoliv) for Termez. The plane smells of Vodka and has a public bus feel to it. No need to be careful about overhead luggage falling on to your heads, the Yak 40 has its total luggage space (both hand and check in baggage) at the back. You enter in from the tail. The pilot enters from the back after all passengers have boarded, you stand up in respect and sit down only after he has taken to his cabin. – Design Dalda
SNK Somaya and Kalappa Consultants, Mumbai, has been practicing over the last 45 years and is witness to the influences that multiple national and global crises can impose to architectural practice. The office, with its conservative discipline and expertise in multiple areas of architecture, has been able to actively work around the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. With an unhampered salary flow to their team and cost cutting measures as highlights, Director-Architect Nandini Somaya Sampat shares some strategies by SNK to face the 2020 crisis.
Natwar Parekh Compound is a public housing neighborhood in the east of Mumbai inhabiting people from slums across the city. With tightly packed grid of 61 buildings on a 5 hectare plot, the density of Natwar Parekh Colony is around 4500 people/ha (Density of the most populated city in the world, Dhaka, is 550 people/ha). Open spaces make up less than 18% of the site area, none of which are usable for any recreational or community activities, keeping residents limited to their 225 square feet apartments. – Photostory by ‘Bhawna Jaimini and Natasha Sharma’
Both erasure and inscription are equal instruments in the production of culture – what happens in the aftermath of the destruction of one of the most prominent icons of Independent India?
Christopher Benninger, a celebrated architect and academcian from India, shares his views on the current state of architecture education in India and steps that must
I`ndia Recypa is a fast emerging firm based on the idea of “Recycle, Reuse” of paper. The Company’s healthy growth led to shifting to a bigger office space in a central location that is Modi tower, Nehru Place Delhi.The Office of 1800 Sq ft was in a miserable condition of 1960’s high rise block which was renovated and refurbished with care. The requirement was of two cabins, conference room, accounts room, toilets and pantry with about 2 dozen workstations.The office is influenced by “Minimalist approach” with NO “Heavy Interiors”. However, Contrast Colour combination is used. The materials used in the office is of the highest level of material available in the market. – Horizon Design Studio
S.B. Somani Park, a community-driven urban space in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai, designed by Plural, transforms an underutilized area into an inclusive, sustainable park. Designed with input from local residents, it offers amenities like a sunken amphitheater, yoga pavilion, fitness trail, and play zones for children. This revitalized park serves as a model for urban renewal, promoting social interaction, health, and environmental sustainability.
Hussain Indorewala in conversation with Urban Planner Shirish Patel, on making of the city, transformation and politics of development.
Photostory: Tibet, Towards A Roof of The World, by Arghya Ghosh
Happy Office for India Bulls, at Mumbai, designed by Studio Osmosis
Skyscrapers are the future of development as the value of land goes higher everyone wants to use each and every part of land. Dharavi is
studio Emergence is a design studio found by two architects, Seeja Sudhakaran and Khushbu Davda, with a penchant for geometry in design and Parametric Design Approach.
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