Pune – An Ever-Evolving Jewel
The essay traces the transformation of Pune from a quaint town to the vibrant city it is today. Mostly it is about the city’s aspects, which make it different and unique. The narrative reminisces about the city’s cultural richness and festive glory. It also points out a bit about the challenges posed by urbanization. But despite everything, Pune successfully retains its cultural essence, making it a city that preserves its glorious heritage while transforming.
This essay by Arpita Khamitkar is amongst the shortlisted essays.
Reflection of Urban Inclusivity And Reality
The essay reflects on the author’s childhood memories centred around the Kohinoor Textile Mill. The mill, part of Mumbai’s Girangaon, played a significant role in the city’s industrial growth until the early 1980s. The essay fondly recalls the mill’s impact on the community, its cultural richness, and personal experiences. The author expresses concern about the loss of community identity and the impact of privatization, highlighting the need for sustainable urban development that preserves the city’s history. This essay by Pornima Buddhivant is amongst the shortlisted essays.
The case of Phalke Smarak
The essay titled, ‘The case of Phalke Smarak : Nashik’s untapped potential with existing urban public space’ – discusses how a promising urban scale public space project for Nashik city in the late 90s has slowly turned desolate, despite all the possibilities and potential the architectural design, site and overall context offers. It further tries to highlight the gap between the public and failed public spaces based on this case, and points towards public engagement for successful urban design, renewal and development. This essay by Asmita Raghuvanshy is amongst the shortlisted essays.
The Good, the Bad and the Aesthetic
This essay delves into how municipal corporations envision creating Western cities (instead of responding to the Indian context) and end up creating cities that only appear to work, instead of actually being more socially inclusive, dynamic and publicly active. The Smart Cities Mission then caters only to the rich and this becomes evident in not just the visuals they use, but also the manner in which they describe their vision of a World Class Infrastructure. This essay by Avani Mittal is amongst the shortlisted essays.
Architecture Practice in India: Does it need Course Correction?
Architect Suneet Paul emphasizes the dynamic nature of architecture practice in India, emphasizing the significance of contextual awareness, civic engagement, and a commitment to societal needs.
Dynamics of Pluricultural Heritage in the City of Gwalior
Gwalior is more than just a city of music. The essay inflects the notion of its heritage beyond its physical form to complex sustainable systems that have been rooted in the city’s layered history. This essay by Aditi Agnihotri is amongst the shortlisted essays.
Chabutra As Thresholds To Effective Placemaking
The essay discusses the past, present, and future of the Chabutro’s in Ahmedabad from the author’s perspective based on their time spent there. Chabutro’s serve as markers and play a significant role in placemaking. The essay emphasizes the importance of Chabutro, highlighting the connection it holds for a potential future as a new wayfinding tool. This essay by Prakriti is amongst the shortlisted essays.
Beyond Design: Challenges and Opportunities in the Indian Architectural Profession
Vinod Gupta, of Opus Indigo Studio reflects on the evolution and challenges of the Indian architectural profession, emphasizing the need for architects to reclaim responsibilities beyond design to revitalize the industry’s trajectory.
The 100, Calicut, by Nestcraft Architecture
In this rural escape, The 100, Calicut, by Nestccraft Architecture, ensures a firm marriage between functionality and aesthetics and the planning suggests four bedrooms with attached toilets in a plinth area of 21OO square feet. The home and wabi-sabi landscape within this boundary facilitate meaningful life to 1OO souls.
OfficeR, New Delhi by Plan Loci
OfficeR, New Delhi by Plan Loci generates not just an aesthetic for its own sake but also responds positively to its urban context while also celebrating the very ideas of Reducing waste, energy consumption, and Recycling existing Resources through both its process and expression.
House at Nandre, Dhule, Maharashtra by Shoonya Collaborative
Designed by Shoonya Collaborative, the house at Nandre, Maharashtra, serves as more than a private residence; it functions as an educational hub for local children and a communal area for the village as a whole.
Amar Villa, Udaipur, by Studio Symbiosis
Nested in the beautiful landscape of Udaipur, Amar Villa, Udaipur, by Studio Symbiosis , proposal is based on capturing the breath-taking views of the surroundings, respecting the natural topography whereby the form evolves from contour mapping.
The Natural Floors, Alappuzha, by Barefoot Architects
The Natural Floors factory, by Barefoot Architects transcends traditional architecture, merging form and function. This architectural masterpiece, with its well-thought-out layout, quality control facilities, captivating showroom, worker-friendly features, sustainability focus, and commitment to safety, reflects the company’s dedication to coir mat excellence while preserving its heritage.
Asmalay, Alibaug, by Blurring Boundaries
Located within a lush tapestry of mango trees in the coastal town of Alibag near Mumbai, ‘Asmalay’ designed by Blurring Boundaries is a biophilic home that embraces the harmonious interplay of architecture and nature.
Future Trajectories | Dialogues
The Practice of Timeless Architecture, Earthling Ladakh, Future Trajectories | Dialogues
Future Trajectories | Dialogues is a series dedicated to the people behind Promising Young Architectural Practices identified in Future Trajectories and Future Trajectories 2.0. In this interview, Ladakh based Earthling Ladakh reminisces its ethos, approach and journey.
Blurring the lines between built and unbuilt- The Purple Ink Studio | Future Trajectories | Dialogues
Future Trajectories | Dialogues is a series dedicated to the people behind Promising Young Architectural Practices identified in Future Trajectories and Future Trajectories 2.0. In this interview, Bangalore-based The Purple Ink Studio reminisces its ideology, approach and journey.
From Delhi to Ladakh: Contextual Sensitivity and Traditional Wisdom- Emara | Dialogues | Future Trajectories
Future Trajectories | Dialogues is a series dedicated to the people behind Promising Young Architectural Practices identified in Future Trajectories and Future Trajectories 2.0. In this interview, Delhi-based Emara reminisces its ethos, approach and journey.
A Confluence of Varying Experiences- flYingseeds |Dialogues | Future Trajectories
Future Trajectories | Dialogues is a series dedicated to the people behind Promising Young Architectural Practices identified in Future Trajectories and Future Trajectories 2.0. In this interview, Delhi-based flYingseeds reminisces its ethos, approach and journey.
Ode to First Contact with Architecture: Studio Mohenjodaro | Future Trajectories | Dialogue
In extension to the Future Trajectories series, Studio Mohenjodaro reminisces about their journey in a conversation with Megha Pande.
Architecture, a Motley of Diverse Groups- Studio Motley | Dialogues | Future Trajectories
In extension to the Future Trajectories series, Studio Motley reminisces about their journey in a conversation with Megha Pande.
Architecture
Grid, Bangalore, by ma+rs
Grid, Bangalore, by ma+rs, redefines institutional architecture by addressing the shortcomings of conventional office designs in the Indian context. Through a thoughtful fusion of form and function, the building seamlessly integrates public, private, and collective spaces across its distinct volumes.
The Architectural Reshaping of Thapar University
Thapar University, DesignPlusArchitecture by was redefined by infusing traditional and modern elements. At the forefront stood the majestic learning laboratory buildings, a multi-story edifice adorned with a striking red stone facade.
Book | Making Chandigarh: A Vintage History
“Making of Chandigarh: A Vintage History” co-authored by Sarbjit Bahga and Arun Mirchandani offers a unique pictorial journey through 575 vintage photographs, capturing the city’s evolution from 1950 to the 1990s. With a focus on the city-making process, the book, enriched with more than 50 drawings, serves as a comprehensive tribute to the photographers and the multitude of contributors who played a crucial role in shaping Chandigarh.
Design
The Souk – Installation at the Dubai Design week, by Collaborative Architecture
The geometry of the pavilion is derived from the most common element, seen widely, in some of the most popular Islamic murals / patterns that adore some of the iconic architecture in the Islamic world- The Decagon. – Collaborative Architecture
डिझाईनच्या दुनियेत: The World of Design
The World of Design: डिझाईन म्हणजे काय ? हा प्रश्न समोर आला म्हणजे आपल्या मनात अनेक समज-गैरसमज निर्माण होतात. कपड्यांवरचे डिझाईन, रांगोळीचे डिझाईन, बाटलीचे डिझाईन, घराचे डिझाईन, मोबाईलचे डिझाईन अशा एक ना अनेक मानवनिर्मित गोष्टींचे उल्लेख करताना आपण डिझाईन हा शब्द सहज वापरतो.
A short history of the selfie stick – Story by Design Dalda
A short history of the selfie stick – Story by Design Dalda
Interior Design
Origami Office – Chaukor Studio, NOIDA
Origami office is the administrative office space for a publishing house, since paper is the core material that is used within the premises. It is
THE PINK ZEBRA, at Kanpur, by RENESA ARCHITECTURE DESIGN INTERIORS STUDIO
The Pink Zebra aka Feast India Co. (FIC) is a take on the bygone British Culture in the city of Cawnpore. With the extravagance of the European Grandeur, not many know how important the city of Cawnpore(now Kanpur) was to the British Corporation of India.
Jain Residence – Inside out or Outside in? – NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh, Design by Meta
The house, designed by Design by Meta, was envisioned to invoke a strong feeling of Indian contemporary design with an element of surprise and warmth in the architecture of the spaces. With this aspect in mind the design of the spaces and materials have been chosen to create an association of textures, which correspond, to a home.
News
Opinions / Views / Thoughts
Pune – An Ever-Evolving Jewel
The essay traces the transformation of Pune from a quaint town to the vibrant city it is today. Mostly it is about the city’s aspects, which make it different and unique. The narrative reminisces about the city’s cultural richness and festive glory. It also points out a bit about the challenges posed by urbanization. But despite everything, Pune successfully retains its cultural essence, making it a city that preserves its glorious heritage while transforming.
This essay by Arpita Khamitkar is amongst the shortlisted essays.
Reflection of Urban Inclusivity And Reality
The essay reflects on the author’s childhood memories centred around the Kohinoor Textile Mill. The mill, part of Mumbai’s Girangaon, played a significant role in the city’s industrial growth until the early 1980s. The essay fondly recalls the mill’s impact on the community, its cultural richness, and personal experiences. The author expresses concern about the loss of community identity and the impact of privatization, highlighting the need for sustainable urban development that preserves the city’s history. This essay by Pornima Buddhivant is amongst the shortlisted essays.
The case of Phalke Smarak
The essay titled, ‘The case of Phalke Smarak : Nashik’s untapped potential with existing urban public space’ – discusses how a promising urban scale public space project for Nashik city in the late 90s has slowly turned desolate, despite all the possibilities and potential the architectural design, site and overall context offers. It further tries to highlight the gap between the public and failed public spaces based on this case, and points towards public engagement for successful urban design, renewal and development. This essay by Asmita Raghuvanshy is amongst the shortlisted essays.
Photoshopped Architecture
Popular Stories
Interior Design: Office for Flagship At Mumbai, By Sachin Agshikar Architects
This was an office designed for an advertising firm called Flagship. The entire volume which had around 14’ height was painted white. Green their signature colour, was introduced subtly in the form of cushion covers, dividers for workstations and palms.
Baha’I Temple at Bihar, an award winning proposal by Spacematters
Our winning entry for the Baha’I House of Worship in Bihar Sharif, India engages with the spiritual power of space and is based on the faith’s strong sense of spiritual oneness, equality and inclusion. It is poetic for us to be building the second Baha’i temple in India because our understanding of the power of space to inspire came from the powerful architecture of the first Baha’i temple in India, the ‘Lotus Temple’ in Delhi.
A design summit that aims to be a Catalyst for Change: Architecture, Design & More Summit, organised by AnimationXpress.com
Architecture, Design & More (ADM) Summit is a virtual summit scheduled for 12 and 13 November 2021 and organised by AnimationXpress.com, part of IndianTelevision.com Group.
Art
Institutional Buildings
Guesthouse at IIT Gandhinagar, by Neeraj Manchanda Architects
Designed in a vocabulary inspired by location, the IIT Gandhinagar Guest House by Delhi-based Neeraj Manchanda Architects provides an attractive physical environment to the Institute’s guests, visiting faculty and scholars. Megha Pande from ArchitectureLive! interacted with the firm’s founder and managing partner, Neeraj Manchanda, to understand the project’s development, from the concept stage to its execution.
Shoolini University Campus, Solan, by Studio Archohm
Designed by Studio Archohm, the Shoolini University campus at Solan, is a collection of buildings that come together to create a campus that redefines how education is imparted.
Leh Satellite Campus Kashmir University by ANA Design Studio Pvt. Ltd.
“Breath-taking” is a double edged sword… in Leh.
There are tomes written about the majesty, grandeur and the raw beauty of Ladakh, and for those who have travelled, and had a bout of “mountain sickness”, it’s quite something else. – ANA Design Studio Pvt. Ltd.
Public Buildings
Small Residential Projects
Floating Walls Residence at Bangalore, Karnataka, by Crest Architects
Nestled in the backdrop of a metropolis, the Floating Walls Residence, by Crest Architects, promises an escape from the city life. The plot for this house sits in a densely populated locality. The major concern was finding an intimate space in the crowd and arriving at a visually engaging structure amidst the chaotic background. The client’s brief called for a simple and spacious Vaastu compliant house for a family of five.
House J172 at Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, by K&M Design Studio
House J172 at Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, by K&M Design Studio
Anahat, Noida, by ANT Studio
ANT Studio designed Anahat, a residence in Noida, as an experimental fusion of futuristic and traditional architecture.
Landscape Design
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