“Unless you ask these questions, you will not realise that it is not history but the perception of history that needs to be revisited.”—Jaimini Mehta

Jaimini Mehta

The essay is the first of a three-part series of preview essays for Jaimini Mehta’s forthcoming book, Sense of Itihasa; Architecture and History in Modern India.
The book analyses the works of several contemporary, post-independence Indian architects to demonstrate that since independence, they have revitalized traditional architectural elements and techniques, drawing inspiration from India’s itihasa.

Amelioration of Thermal Discomfort: Cooling, not Air Conditioning

Vinod Gupta

Vinod Gupta writes about the concept of thermal discomfort and its relation to air conditioning standards, arguing for a more flexible approach.

Social Media and Architecture. @ArchitectureLive! (Image is AI generated)

“Social media has pulled back the curtain, democratizing the discourse and, more importantly, the architect’s image.” —Athulya Aby

Athulya Aby

Athulya Aby writes about how social media has transformed architecture, making it accessible to the masses. While it offers opportunities for inclusivity and innovation, it also poses risks of superficiality and prioritizing aesthetics over function. The future lies in balancing online presence with real-world impact, according to Athulya.

“His legacy is an energy emanating from the scores of people influenced by his work and ethics.”—Karishma Rao’s tribute to Navnath Kanade

Karishma Rao

Karishma Rao, co-director of the documentary “Kanade,” honors the memory of renowned architect Navnath Kanade. Sharing personal anecdotes, she reflects on his life and work, particularly his time at Laal Ghar, highlighting his wit, wisdom, and passion for architecture.

“The young architects will do well if they do not limit themselves to the traditional role of an architect…”—Dr. Vinod Gupta, in conversation with Suneet Paul

Suneet Paul

Dr. Vinod Gupta discussed the future of architecture in India with Suneet Paul, emphasizing ergonomic design, technology’s impact, and the need for young architects to be adaptable.

Air Conditioning: The Sweet Spice That is Changing Our Climate

Vinod Gupta

Vinod Gupta writes about how sugar and air-conditioner, once luxuries, have become necessities with far-reaching consequences that contribute to health crises and climate change while reducing our ability to adapt to natural temperature variations.

Azerbaijan’s Captivating and Swinging Architecture Moods Arouse Yearnings for More…

Suneet Paul

Suneet Paul writes about Azerbaijan, once a war-torn nation, emerging as a captivating blend of ancient and modern, as he focusses on Baku (Azerbaijan’s capital) that blends ancient and modern architecture, from the UNESCO-listed Old City with its Maidan Tower to contemporary landmarks like the Flame Towers and Heydar Aliyev Centre.

“There was a need to bring outside voices to contaminate and corrupt the idealism of the academy and vice-versa.”—Pinkish Shah reviews SPADE India Foundation event by SRDA

Pinkish Shah

Pinkish Shah reviews the SPADE India Foundation event, organised by Samira Rathod Design Atelier (SRDA), critiquing the limitations in format, content, and impact. The article also includes Samira Rathod’s response to Pinkish Shah’s critique. The event held on September 19, 2024, focused on architectural explorations in Mumbai, including the reuse of abandoned buildings.

Unpacking National Ranking: What Impacts Architecture and Planning Institutions

A Srivathsan

A. Srivathsan and Astha Agarwalla comprehensively analyze the annual architecture and planning institutions ranking (NIRF) revealing minimal changes among the top schools. They also present questions about the current ranking system with takeaways for the institutions and students.

sustanability - chennai-international-centre-shilpa-architects-ela-green-consultants-lbta (4)

Sustainability through an Integrated Design Approach: Shilpa Architects and Ela Green Consultants

Deepika Srivastava

This article delves into how Shilpa Architects and Ela Green Consultants in Chennai are pioneering sustainable architecture. By implementing integrated design approaches, using LEED ratings, and adopting an Indo-centric sustainability model, their work showcases a blueprint for eco-friendly building practices.

“Sit under a tree and think…” Swapnil Suresh Joshi’s tribute to his teacher—Christopher Charles Benninger

Swapnil Suresh Joshi

In his tribute to Christopher Charles Benninger, Swapnil Joshi recounts personal accounts of his experiences with Christopher, sharing how Benninger’s guidance and teachings influenced his architectural journey.

Christopher Charles Benninger. © Dinesh Mehta

“Christopher grew up believing in the power of reason and science.” – Bimal Patel’s personal tribute to Christopher Benninger

Bimal Patel

Bimal Patel writes a tribute to Christopher Charles Benninger (1942-2024), sharing a few of his memories about Benninger.

Designing For Modern India: The Legacy of Christopher Benninger

Sathya Prakash Varanashi

Prof. Sathya Prakash Varanashi pays tribute to legendary architect and urban planner Christopher Benninger, who passed away at 82.

Architecture is too Important to be Left to Architects Alone

Jaimini Mehta

Jaimini Mehta critiques architectural education in India, arguing for reform that balances vocational training with liberal education, combining science, humanities, and arts. He challenges the Western-centric approach that has marginalized indigenous architectural knowledge and practices.

The famous restored Pulteney Bridge with shops on either side. Source: Wikipedia Commons

Bath, England: Reliving the Past Georgian Glory in Architecture | Ar. Suneet Paul

Suneet Paul

Suneet Paul writes about Bath, England’s UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved Georgian architecture and rich history.

Thoughts

“Unless you ask these questions, you will not realise that it is not history but the perception of history that needs to be revisited.”—Jaimini Mehta

Amelioration of Thermal Discomfort: Cooling, not Air Conditioning

“His legacy is an energy emanating from the scores of people influenced by his work and ethics.”—Karishma Rao’s tribute to Navnath Kanade

“The young architects will do well if they do not limit themselves to the traditional role of an architect…”—Dr. Vinod Gupta, in conversation with Suneet Paul

Air Conditioning: The Sweet Spice That is Changing Our Climate

Azerbaijan’s Captivating and Swinging Architecture Moods Arouse Yearnings for More…

“There was a need to bring outside voices to contaminate and corrupt the idealism of the academy and vice-versa.”—Pinkish Shah reviews SPADE India Foundation event by SRDA

Unpacking National Ranking: What Impacts Architecture and Planning Institutions

Sustainability through an Integrated Design Approach: Shilpa Architects and Ela Green Consultants

“Sit under a tree and think…” Swapnil Suresh Joshi’s tribute to his teacher—Christopher Charles Benninger

“Christopher grew up believing in the power of reason and science.” – Bimal Patel’s personal tribute to Christopher Benninger

Designing For Modern India: The Legacy of Christopher Benninger

Architecture is too Important to be Left to Architects Alone

Bath, England: Reliving the Past Georgian Glory in Architecture | Ar. Suneet Paul

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