Pune – An Ever-Evolving Jewel

Arpita Khamitkar

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

Pornima Buddhivant

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

Asmita Raghuvanshy

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

Avani Mittal

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.

Indian Architectural Practice: Does it need Course Correction?

Architecture Practice in India: Does it need Course Correction?

Suneet Paul

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

Aditi Agnihotri

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

Prakriti S

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.

Challenges and opportunities in architectural profession

Beyond Design: Challenges and Opportunities in the Indian Architectural Profession

Vinod Gupta

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.

Prof. Oommen Thomas, a renowned early Modernist from Kerala, Passes Away

ArchitectureLive!

One of the early modernists of Kerala, Prof. Oommen Thoman passed away on November 18, 2023, at the age of 81.

Beyond the skyline: Public utilities and their influence on the city

Simran Gandhi

The essay titled ‘Beyond the Skyline: Public Utilities and Their Influence on the City’ discusses the most fundamental requirement for the floating population, i.e., adequate public utilities. The persisting utilities are in a desolate condition with inefficient services and infrastructure. Progressing towards a livable Jaipur city, which is inclusive, safe and secure and prioritizes the holistic well-being of its inhabitants; an investment in utilities for the public is imperative. This essay by Simran Gandhi is among the special mentions.

A step back is a step forward in disguise

Saakshi

The essay “A Step Back is a Step Forward in Disguise” discusses how Bidar is on the brink of change, both economically and politically. It tells tales from the mythical, ecological, historical, sociocultural, and natural layers that are intertwined with the impact of the local climate on the Paapnash Lake community. This essay by Saakshi is among the special mentions.

From Peths to Pinnacles: Pune’s Architectural Evolution Towards Tomorrow, drawing inspirations from Yesterday, introspecting Today

Urvashi Vaijwade

“From Peths to Pinnacles: Pune’s Architectural Evolution Towards Tomorrow, drawing inspirations from Yesterday, introspecting Today” is a journey through the architectural story of Pune, a city that’s not just a historical gem but a dynamic fusion of tradition and modernity. The essay emphasizes the importance of sustainable and self-sufficient urban planning, green spaces, and community engagement. It explores the concept of creating self-sufficient urban centers within Pune to achieve a more sustainable and inclusive future, aligning with the ’15-minute city’ concept. This essay by Urvashi Vaijwade is among the special mentions.

Shirish Patel responds to comments on his interview with Hussain Indorewala – “I am not interested in beautifying cities”

Hussain Indorewala

Some of our readers commented on the interview with Shirish Patel published on this website on 26th October 2023. The authors agreed to respond to

An Architect Eats Chapati

H Masud Taj

ArchitectureLive! continues with Alimentative Architecture – The third in a series of articles, An Architect Eats Chapati, by Architect-Poet-Calligrapher H Masud Taj interfaces architecture with food via geometry.

An Ode to PILOO MODY: The Architect of Architects Act & Humorous Lawmaker

Sarbjit Singh Bahga

On Piloo Mody’s 97th anniversary, Sarbjit Bahga pays him a tribute

Thoughts, views and Ideas on architecture