Pune has been one of the fastest-growing urban centres, emerging as a hub of education, technology, and industry, and playing a key role in India’s transformation into a dynamic, innovative, and technology-driven economy. The second-largest city in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, Pune has had significant economic and industrial growth. Once the centre of power for the Maratha Empire, the rich historical past has made it the cultural capital of Maharashtra.
Coined as the ‘Oxford of East’ and popularly referred to as an ‘IT hub’, the city has been developing at a fast pace and growing in terms of population as well as infrastructure. Shortlisted under the Smart Cities Mission, the city’s key priorities currently are to improve urban mobility, provide access to water, enhance citizen outreach efforts, and improve infrastructure in energy, housing, safety and security.
In this context of nation-building and city-making, VK Group, a built environment consultancy and architecture practice, has played a pivotal role in shaping Pune’s urban landscape through thoughtful design and sustainable construction practices. Started by Ar. Vishwas Kulkarni in 1973, VK Group began as an architectural practice—Vishwas Kulkarni Architects— with just two employees. Later rebranded as VK:a architecture, the practice expanded into VK:e environmental, VK:i interiors, VK:o operations, and VK:u urban, as the team members grew from just two to three hundred.
With a thorough understanding of physical context, regulatory frameworks, real estate expectations and meaningful designs, VK Group ensures the genuine feasibility of projects and implementation. Under the theme “Building the City We Call Home: Making Pune Better by Design,” VK Group has organised a three-day event that will have an exhibition titled ‘VKollective’ which explores the work of the firm, whose projects have significantly shaped the city’s landscape through architecture, urban design, and policy over the last five decades.
The practice has been a firm believer in providing a holistic service and functions across verticals of design, engineering, liasoning, landscape, and operations. Their experience in the field has led them to believe that integration of services, consultants’ knowledge, and collaboration is key to developing a well-coordinated project that performs. An architect’s role is important here in amalgamating coordinated subject knowledge, and providing solutions that work.
The theme of the event is city-driven with a view to gather the various narratives through which the urban metropolises today are read. Mobility through transport, sustainable development, and recognition and restoration of heritage are some of the key focus areas of urban development today in the country. Yet, often citizens are not a part of this conversation of the development of their city.
VKollective also aims to facilitate conversations with citizens, encourage the exchange of ideas with students and professionals, and provide an opportunity to discover how thoughtful designs create meaning and drive change through panel discussions and workshops with policymakers, heritage enthusiasts, real estate professionals, and urbanists.
The significance of organising an event of such a nature goes far beyond just being a display of architectural projects. VKollective marks an architectural practice; reaching out to the citizens and professionals alike and extending to parallel real estate sectors to initiate a conversation about the city they live and contribute to. Being a company that has consistently served the city for five decades, the event is an attempt to create awareness and make its impact as the pioneer in the development of the city.
A growing metropolis needs quality infrastructure and avenues of employment, housing and amenities for its citizens to thrive in. The role of VK Group has been instrumental towards the development of Pune through projects that range from large commercial properties enhancing employment in the city (such as the Kohinoor World Towers) to government buildings and social and recreational centres such as the Skating Rink, Warje City Library, Ghole Road, and so on. The firm has also been involved in the making of several schools and residential projects across the city. Apart from Pune, VK Group has worked extensively across cities in Maharashtra, Orissa, New Delhi, and Gujarat.
With over five decades of contribution to the city’s fabric, the event aims to make the residents of the city aware of the infrastructure development that has happened through the collective efforts of the various verticals of VK Group.
Event Details:
The three-day event will begin on 21st February with an inauguration by Shri Chandrashekhar Bawankule (Hon. Minister of Revenue, Govt. of Maharashtra), Smt. Madhuri Misal (Hon. MOS for Urban Development of Maharashtra), and Shri Siddharth Shirole (Hon. Member of Legislative Assembly, Shivajinagar Constituency, Pune).
The event will feature panel discussions by eminent experts on the following relevant urban concerns:
- Building the City of Tomorrow
- Smart Sustainable Development
- Community-led Heritage Initiatives
- Data-Driven Urban Development
The third day will feature a Valedictory Session with Smt. Medha Kulkarni (Member of Parliament, Rajyasabha), Shri Kunal Kumar (Joint Secretary & Mission Director, Smart Cities Mission), Shri Shekhar Mundada (Minister of State, Maharashtra & Chairman, Maharashtra Cow Service Commission), and Shri Brijesh Dixit (Managing Director, Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation) to conclude the event.
Architectural Illustration Workshop by Ar. Shweta Santosh Hingane
An exclusive Architectural Illustration Workshop will be held by Ar. Shweta Santosh Hingane of The Archart, a popular Instagram page among architecture students and professionals for their illustration and mapping tips. The workshop will be a free session for students and professionals on 22nd February, Saturday at 2:30 PM. Register here
City Reel Competition
The event also features an exciting City Reel Competition Award Presentation—An open-to-all Instagram competition inviting participants to capture their experiences of Pune through a short video, live on VK Group’s handle. The video can feature snippets on what you love most about Pune or what you would wish to change about the city. Everyone has their own narrative of occupying their space in the city and this is a chance to document your experience as a Punekar!
Participation is limited to 3 members if applying as a team. Submit your reel and get a chance to win up to Rs 10,000! Details here
Whether you are a student, a young professional, or an industry leader in the AEC field this exhibition offers an opportunity to engage with Pune’s evolving design narrative and explore the future of urban development.
Come join conversations, share ideas, and discover how design can create meaning and change – Register here.
