“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.

“There are no experts who can define conservation and how things should be done because heritage has very much to do with society.” – A.G.K. Menon

Rajesh Advani

Architectural Heritage in India series features a conversation with A.G.K. Menon, delving deep into the meaning of heritage and the challenges in the field.

The Proposed Broadcasting Services Bill: What Does it Mean for Digital Freedom in India’s Architectural Discourse

Rajesh Advani

Imagine an India where your Instagram critique of a new skyscraper could land you in hot water. Is the new Broadcasting Services Bill for regulation or a digital gag order in disguise?

Photograph of the leaking new parliament building with bucket

The Blue Bucket of Democracy: Parliament’s Newest Art Installation Holds Water

Rajesh Advani

The blue bucket at the new parliament building hailed as the Government’s avant-garde art installation of the year.

Sonal Mithal - Architectural Heritage in India

“Our role begins when people approach us, identifying something as their heritage and wanting help to preserve it, promote it, or extend its life.” – Sonal Mithal

Rajesh Advani

The second conversation of “Architectural Heritage in India” series with Dr. Sonal Mithal focuses on the challenges in architectural heritage conservation, emphasising the need to balance preservation with development, involve communities, and make heritage accessible and relevant to contemporary needs.

A Conversation on Crafts, Sustainability, and Luxury Hospitality with Ayush Kasliwal, Geetanjali Kasliwal, and Manvendra Singh Shekhawat

Deepika Srivastava

Luxury hospitality and sustainability are often seen as opposing concepts. But Suryagarh and Narendra Bhawan oppose this dichotomy. Deepika Srivastava explores this dynamic in a conversation with Ayush and Geetanjali Kasliwal, and Manvendra Singh Shekhawat.

Apple Store Kuala Lumpur by Norman Foster + Partners

Of Glass Boxes and Domes – Praveen Bavadekar reviews The Apple Store at Kuala Lumpur, designed by Foster and Partners

Praveen Bavadekar

Praveen Bavadekar reviews the Apple Store TRX in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, designed by Foster+Partners, as a revisit of Miesian glass box design, blending millennia-old spatial techniques with a century-old architectural obsession.

Peter Zumthor in conversation with Bijoy Ramachandran © Parikshith Kalkai

A CONVERSATION ACROSS CULTURES: Peter Zumthor and Bijoy Ramachandran

Hundredhands

Swissnex in India, in collaboration with SwitzerlandIndia75, hosted the two
renowned architects, Peter Zumthor and Bijoy Ramachandran, to discuss bilateral perspectives on architecture in an open
format, on February 22, 2024.

Thoughts

“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

“There are no experts who can define conservation and how things should be done because heritage has very much to do with society.” – A.G.K. Menon

The Proposed Broadcasting Services Bill: What Does it Mean for Digital Freedom in India’s Architectural Discourse

The Blue Bucket of Democracy: Parliament’s Newest Art Installation Holds Water

“Our role begins when people approach us, identifying something as their heritage and wanting help to preserve it, promote it, or extend its life.” – Sonal Mithal

A Conversation on Crafts, Sustainability, and Luxury Hospitality with Ayush Kasliwal, Geetanjali Kasliwal, and Manvendra Singh Shekhawat

Of Glass Boxes and Domes – Praveen Bavadekar reviews The Apple Store at Kuala Lumpur, designed by Foster and Partners

A CONVERSATION ACROSS CULTURES: Peter Zumthor and Bijoy Ramachandran

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