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The third article in the series, ‘Looking beyond the architect’, by Deepika Srivastava, focuses on how indigenous crafts can be integrated within built forms by looking at the collaboration between Studio Lotus and Collective Craft to create Krushi Bhawan, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment of Odisha.
ArchitectureLive! continues with Alimentative Architecture – The fifth in a series of articles by Architect-Poet-Calligrapher H Masud Taj interfacing architecture with food via geometry.
Authored by Mrinalini Ghadiok, as a part of her academic study in May 2023, the essay discusses the Mumbai Coastal Road project and the role of architects in engaging with large-scale development projects in cities. She analyzes how architects can act as both professionals and citizens to influence projects through organized collectives while maintaining individual agency. She further examines different views on an architect’s responsibility to society and how their identity and work in commercial vs. critical practice impacts their ability to effect change.
Harshad Bhatia emphasizes the importance of urban design in enhancing habitats by considering the interdependence between whole and parts over time and that there is no standardized definition of urban design.
The rapid increase in the population of urban poor and their dwellings in the organically grown neighborhoods, poses a significant challenge to the development of Indian cities and towns. The traditional approach to their rehabilitation involves ‘demolition’ of the existing slum and ‘reconstruction’ elsewhere. Considering this approach, the article seeks to raise the following questions: Do the residents inhabit the newly constructed cost-effective buildings which are devoid of any sense of home, their social network or employment opportunities? And does this ‘upgradation’ really stop the establishment of new slums in the future?
Women constitute nearly half of the construction workforce in the country, and yet their role is overlooked. Through the exhibition ‘Samatva – Shaping the Built’ at the India Art, Architecture, and Design Biennale 2024, this article presents questions urging the architectural fraternity to support the feminist practices nurturing sensitive and able designers leading by example, with hopes that it becomes the industry norms.
In a riveting conversation with Deepika Srivastava, SJK Architects and Sunita Namjoshi illuminate a pioneering journey of architectural patronage in post-liberalized India, marked by mutual trust, shared values, and transformative projects that redefine spaces and communities.
H. Masud Taj reflects on his early experiences as a child model for Lifebuoy and Dalda, drawing parallels between the world of advertising and the principles of architecture.
Mrinalini Ghadiok intricately examines the transformation of the Ambico Ice Factory into IF.BE, a testament to the fusion of the historic and contemporary.
As the dawn breaks over Mangalore, M. Gopakumar shares his poetic journey through its streets, where stately houses whisper tales of bygone eras, cricket fields harbor hidden delights, and the aroma of milky tea mingles with the essence of nostalgia.
In their insightful analysis of Bangalore’s contemporary architectural landscape, Surabhi and Ramalakshmi, from Samvad Design Studio, delve into the nuanced public intent and architectonic qualities of two prominent buildings. With keen observations, they dissect the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) and the Bangalore International Centre (BIC), revealing their spatial strategies and societal implications.
In his poignant exploration of the #MeToo movement’s impact on architecture, Rajesh Luthra delves into the complex interplay of power, morality, and artistic integrity. Through the cases of renowned architects Richard Meier and Sir David Adjaye, Luthra provokes reflection on the ethical dilemmas inherent in separating the art from the artist.
Pier Paolo Tamburelli talks about his new book, On Bramante. The interview was conducted in May 2023 at Baukuh in Milan, by Shreyank Khemalapure. The interview is centred around some of the questions and ideas about architecture brought up in the book—On Bramante. Pier Paolo Tamburelli is one of the partners at Baukuh and one of the founding editors of the influential magazine—San Rocco.
The old heritage building of Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad has represented the identity and character of the city for over a century, but considering its overburdened condition and lack of maintenance, the hospital is in a thrust for demolition by the government which is in favor of a new structure.
As CEPT University celebrated its 18th convocation ceremony on January 20, 2024, Dr. Bimal Patel’s address highlighted the significant transformations and achievements of the university during his tenure as the President and Acting Director of the university, that has come to an end.
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