iia times newsletter august - october 2009

IIA TIMESA QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS : CHANDIGARH - PUNJAB CHAPTER

AUGUST - OCTOBER 2009

The world energy scenario shows that buildings and construction consumes the major share of the global energy. There is a close connection between today’s building designs and the increasing energy crisis, which is rising day by day. However, comfort can also be achieved with less consumption of energy. Thus introduction to sustainable building design measures can make an important contribution to minimize the energy crisis.

To discuss the significance of green buildings and the architectural approach towards building green cities, a conference on “Building Green Cities” was held on September 15, 2009 at Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, Chandigarh.The conference was organized jointly by the Embassy of Switzerland in India, Indian Institute of Architects, Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich.

Ar Surinder Bahga, Chairman of Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter of Indian Institute of Architects adds, “A green building uses less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste and is healthier for the people compared to a standard building. We should adopt various mechanisms for reducing power consumption substantially in a bid to combat climate change.”

Dr Matia Celio, Science and Technology Counsellor, Embassy of Switzerland expressed that “Sustainable Urban Development” and “Renewable Energy Sources” have been pinpointed by the Swiss

and the Indian governments as priority research areas in the programme of cooperation. Besides, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has very recently signed an agreement with the Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency for undertaking a joint programme aiming at reducing energy consumption in new commercial buildings in India. Evidence shows that time is ripe and propitious for addressing the issues on Green Buildings.

The Ambassador of Switzerland HE Mr. Philippe Welti was the Guest of Honour of the occasion. He expressed that the conference was a part of an array of events that the Swiss Embassy in India is organizing in the year 2009 which has been specially designated as the ‘Year of Science and Education’. He further spoke about the relevance and importance of sustainable buildings and cities at large in today’s scenario of energy crunch.

In the technical sessions, Prof Dietmar Eberle from Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich talked about “Resources”. He explained that one of the basic purposes within the architecture is the creation of sustainable buildings. He said, “Their structure is therefore determined by the optimised relationship between skin, development and primary construction. Sustainability means longevity and a reduction of the resources consumption. Besides, buildings should be taken seriously for what they are and as metaphors, in order to produce far-reaching social and emotional acceptance.”

The second technical lecture was by Prof Daniel Spreng, Centre for Energy Policy and Economics, ETH Zürich. He discussed that in industrialized countries, all activities connected with the construction, maintenance and use of buildings consume about a quarter of the entire energy supply. He further emphasized that in developing countries, not only the per capita energy consumption of buildings is much lower, also the fraction of

the total energy consumption that is used for buildings is smaller. The low environmental impact of the building stock in developing countries contributes to one aspect of sustainability; however, poor housing conditions are likely to be unsustainable in terms of social sustainability.

Another presentation was by Prof Gerhard Schmitt from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich. He expressed that our ambition should be to develop future-oriented strategies that implement new aptitudes regarding sustainability. Future cities research requires investigations ranging from the micro-scale of building components to the mezzo scale of urban clusters and the macro-scale of mega cities or metropolitan regions—thereby saving energy at all scales. He elaborated on the concept of Science City at ETH, Zurich which is being developed as a role model and various methods and instruments relevant for future cities have been developed in that.

The sessions were chaired by Ar Jit Kumar Gupta, Director, Bhaddal College of Architecture, Ropar. He impressed upon that the accelerated urbanization in the Indian context imposes immense pressure on the dwindling energy resources. However, the resource crunch confronting the energy sector can be effectively alleviated if we plan, design and develop human settlements and buildings by using appropriate strategies and incorporating sound concepts of energy efficiency and sustainability.

In the panel discussion, the other panelists were Ar S D Sharma and Ar Manjit Tangri. Ar Sharma emphasized on the sustainable development of the cities in general and the buildings at large. Ar Manjeet Tangri discussed about the ‘Architecture 2030’, a U.S. based group whose mission is to create and quickly respond to opportunities that shape the dialogue and address the crisis situation surrounding the ‘Building Sector’ and its contribution to global warming.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUILDING GREEN CITIES

2 IIA TIMES / AUGUST - OCTOBER 2009 IIA: CHD-PB CHAPTER

I would like to thank you personally for having contributed to the success of the “Building Green Cities” conference, held with Professors from Switzerland on September 15 in Chandigarh. Drawing from this very encouraging and positive experience, I am looking forward to collaborating with the Indian Institute of Architects, Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter in the future on subjects of common interest.

Phillip Welti

The Ambassador of Switzerland

To discuss the significance of modern architecture in India and in the world and to celebrate World Architecture Day, an International conference “Towards a Global Architecture” was held on October 11, 2009 at Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, Chandigarh. The conference was organized jointly by the Embassy of Mexico in India, Indian Institute of Architects, Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter, and Saakaar Foundation, Chandigarh.

Mr Conrado Tostado, a Mexican Diplomat was the Guest of Honour. He spoke about the bilateral relations of Mexico and India and its influence on modern architecture. Mr Conrado elaborated on the different aspects of Mexican Architecture with respect to the global architecture.

Ar Balbir Verma, Chair of Practice, Commonwealth Association of Architects also spoke about the relevance of this conference in today’s date. He spoke about the number of architectural issues being faced by Indian Architects vis-à-vis global architects. The architecture which Corbusier and his team gave to independent India about 60 years ago has undergone a radical change because of the changing lifestyles and times. This is prevalent both in India as well as in the entire world. We need to assess the reasons behind this and need to plan for the future needs.

The keynote address was delivered by Ar Surinder Bahga. He said, “The modern building materials and technologies have made a tremendous change in the today’s architectural scenario. Since the modernism is penetrating in India at a very faster rate, it is high time to underline the future strategies for development”.

The world renowned architects from Mexico, Italy and South Africa delivered their lectures. Architect Eduardo Terrazas, gave a presentation on his own projects. It was based on four themes: Architecture, Urban Planning, Design, and, Painting.

His presentation covered his association with Mexico Olympic Games held in 1968. He emphasized that profession of architecture is a social service activity which creates artificial spaces that function as integrators of communal life.

Second Speaker, Prof Gerald Steyn from Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa dwelled on “The Indian Impact on East African Architecture”. He has related the architecture of South Africa with the architecture of Indian Subcontinent. He said that we can learn to interpret and unfold vernacular urban settings and building types to create a more appropriate and predictable living environment.

The third technical presentation was by Stefano Boeri, a very well known architect from Milan, Italy. He was Editor-in Chief of International Architectural magazine, DOMUS and presently with ABITARE. The presentation of works by Stefano was structured around the theme of “Architecture and Politics”. He presented three important projects i.e. the restructuring of the Ex Arsenale at La Maddalena, Sardinia; the Centre Régional de la Mediterranée in Marseilles, France; the Concept Masterplan for the Milan Expo 2015.

The technical sessions were chaired by Ar Jit Kumar Gupta, Dr SS Bhatti and Ar Renu Saigal. Ar Jit Gupta said that in the recent years there have been radical, even revolutionary changes in the design of new buildings. The Modernist Architecture has given way to Postmodernism which is stylistic movement in its own right. The rise of this new contemporary architecture is partly the result of changing trends, but it can also be attributed to the availability of constantly advancing technology.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON“GLOBAL ARCHITECTURE”

IIA CHD-PB CHAPTER 2008-2010

OFFICE BEARERS

EXECUTIVE MEMBERSAr Archana Chaudhary

Ar Sanjay GoelAr P P S AhluwaliaAr Bharati KaushikAr Ram Murti Kalra

EDITOR IIA TIMESAr Sarbjit Singh Bahga

Email: [email protected]

PUBLISHED BY Ar Sarbjit Singh Bahga for and on behalf ofTHE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

CHANDIGARH-PUNJAB CHAPTERrdSCO 53-55, 3 Floor, Sector 17-D

Chandigarh-160017 Ph: 0172 2722466Email: [email protected]

www.iiachdpb.com

DISCLAIMER

The information in this Newsletter has been compiled from various sources, and does not necessarily depict the views of the Indian Institute of Architects, Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter.

(For Private Circulation Only)

ChairmanVice ChairmanHon Treasurer

Jt Hon SecretaryJt Hon Secretary

-----

Ar Surinder Bahga Ar Rakesh Bansal Ar Jaswinder Singh Ar Sarbjit Singh Bahga Ar Ashok Juneja

Comments by H E Mr Phillip Welti, The Ambassador of Switzerland

3IIA: CHD-PB CHAPTER IIA TIMES / AUGUST - OCTOBER 2009

In the panel discussion, Dr Prabhjot Kaur and Ar Archana Chaudhary expressed their views about the advent of modern architecture in India. Dr Prabhjot Kaur dwelled on the reforms in the architectural education in India.

Archana Chaudhary elaborated that there needs to be a holistic approach to Architecture and planning in order that India can become a developed nation by 2020. She further added that to improve the scenario of architecture in any country, the architects should be made accountable and responsible. Continuing Developing Programmes should also be adopted in the profession of architecture in India.

B O O K O N “ C O R B ’ S CAPITOL” RELEASED

Architect Sangeet Sharma’s book “Corb’s Capitol” is a journey through Chandigarh and its architecture, the quasi-fictional stories analyzing the city’s transformation and metamorphosis. The English and French versions of the book were launched by HE Mr Phillip Welti during the conference organised by Embassy of Switzerland in India, Indian Institute of Architects, Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich on September 15, 2009 at Chandigarh.

Corb’s Capitol is a dialogue between the city of Chandigarh and the architects. It is a gripping narration of Chandigarh’s growth over a period of time. The book comprises the author’s intimate conversations with the visitors who come to Chandigarh to seek inspiration and insight; besides stimulation for enhancing their sense of aesthetic appreciation or to exalt their ability for artistic creation.

Narrated in a simple, witty, and straightforward style, the technique adopted by the author is gripping. The book not only provides information about Le Corbusier’s greatest masterpiece, the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh, but also entertains through its amusing and sharp snapshots at the way the modern city and its architecture have been taking shape.

A3 foundation, an organization promoting sustainable art and architecture in the region organised its 18th event and a seminar on CHANDIGARH-CITY OF FUTURE on September 6, 2009. The Foundation believes in encouraging students and endeavours to dispense information and knowledge to them. Eminent speakers and architects presented their views on the subject.

Ar Sangeet Sharma, Founder Chairman of the A3 foundation flagged off the debate on the subject inviting student speakers from different colleges. Kusha Dogra, Namita Deol ,from GZSCET,Bathinda and Ms. Sukriti Jain from Chitkara College of Engineering spoke for the motion, Where as Mr.Inderjeet Singh and Mr. Viplav Arora from GZSCET, Bathinda spoke against the motion.

Ar Jit Kumar Gupta spoke on “Redefining Chandigarh Periphery Development”. He shared his views about Chandigarh periphery, its approach and development. He also expressed his concern about unplanned development encroaching the periphery and urged the professionals to contribute to the efforts so that Chandigarh does not lose its sanctity.

Dr SS Bhatti added his opinion about the city and deliberated on how to contemplate the phenomenon called the CITY BEAUTIFUL. His talk emphasized on Le Corbusier being the greatest architect of all times. This was followed by Ar Surinder Bahga’s talk on “Influence of Le Corbusier” explaining how contemporary architects all over the world follow Le Corbusier’s architecture.

On a concluding note, Ar S D Sharma briefed that there is a lot of wisdom in Chandigarh’s planning and that Le Corbusier had great admiration for humanity that showed in his works. He expressed modern cities will have a lot to learn from Chandigarh for a long time. He encouraged young and budding architects to look to Chandigarh for solutions.

Continuing the practice to encourage young talent, Ms Apurva Bose Dutta was honoured by Ar S D Sharma for her contribution towards architectural journalism. The winners

of various competitions including Best Sustainable Thesis in order of prizes were Divisha Jindal from Lucknow, Aditi Deep Singh from Indo global college , Deepika Gupta from GZSCET Bhatinda and Priyanka Miglani from Indo global colleges . In Debate Kusha Dogra and Inder Jeet Singh from GZSCET Bhatinda were declared winners. In Photography Rimaljeet Bhogalrom from Chandigarh College of Architecture, Shreejay from Kathmandu University, Akriti Ahuja from GNDU Amritsar and, Chhavi from CCA were awarded the prizes.

Architects meet ‘Lets Talk and Cheer’ was held at Jalandhar on September12, 2009 at Club Cabana Resorts. About 80 architects from the region participated in the meet. Ar Jit Kumar Gupta and Ar Surinder Bahga gave their presentations on “Architecture in Punjab”. Ar Irwindeep Singh and Ar Narinderjit Kaur compered the show.

ENERGY- EFFICIENT BUILDINGS AWARENESS PROGRAMME HELD AT

CHANDIGARH

National energy-efficient buildings awareness programme was held at Chandigarh by Bureau of Energy Efficiency, at hotel Shivalik View in Chandigarh.The workshop was held to highlight the use of ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) for making energy efficient buildings.

Sanjay Seth from BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency India) gave a brief on ECBC usage. He explained that ECBC is a document that specifies the energy performance requirement for all commercial buildings that are to be constructed in India. ECBC has been developed by India’s BEE and mandated by Energy Conservation Act 2001, passed by Indian Parliament in September, 2001.

Manish Srivastav from Saint Gobain Glass Company gave a lecture on building envelope. He explained about the wall window ratio which should be considered by architects and builders for the glazed part in buildings. He also explained about the

SEMINAR ON “CHANDIGARH-CITY OF FUTURE”

ARCHITECTS MEET AT JALANDHAR


different types of glass available which are energy efficient.

Abdul Kader Bengali delivered his lecture on insulation of building. He explained about the material and methods of insulation of building which provide the energy efficiency in buildings.

Suresh Sharma from Carrier India delivered his lecture on Energy-efficient Air-conditioning systems. Ar Surinder Bahga elaborated on the various aspects of the energy-efficient buildings in different climate zones in India. He explained the various climate factors which are responsible for energy efficient buildings. Building can be made energy efficient with minimum glazing on facade, use of cavity wall for insulation, light colour on exterior façade and allowing the way the natural light and air to be inside the building.

SYMPOSIUM ON “ARCHITECTURE AND

MUSIC”First Friday Forum organised a Symposium on ARCHITECTURE AND MUSIC on October 4, 2009 at the Government Museum & Art Gallery, Chandigarh. Ar Shiv Datt Sharma who had worked on the Chandigarh Capital Project, was the Chief Guest. He lauded the Forum’s persistent role in educating the citizenry in aesthetic appreciation vis-à-vis artistic creation in the many forms of Art of which India has the richest tradition in the world.

Dr SS Bhatti, Founder, First Friday Forum, delivered the theme-oration: Architecture and Music, and brought out the fundamental affinities of the two disciplines. He showed in a scientific way that in all the Forms of Art: Literary [Poetry]; Visual [Architecture, Painting, and Sculpture]; and Performing [Dance, Drama, and Music], Rhythm is the

common Principle of Creativity—though its presence is most palpably felt only in Music. And Music at its sublimest is Mystical.

Dr Pankaj Mala Sharma, Chairperson, Department of Music, Panjab University, made a presentation on MUSIC PERFORMANCE PLATFORM IN ANCIENT INDIA: An Architectural Insight. She said that from the Vedic literature we find references of performance of music in open ground. She gave a rare architectural insight, with the help of Natya Shastra, into stage-design, suitable for music performance, in terms of its definition, types, measurements, material, and light-‘n’-sound arrangements.

Speaking on MUSIC: The Architecture of a Good Human Being” Mrs Dolly Guleria, the celebrated Punjabi folk singer, revealed interesting kinship between the two disciplines. Music and Architecture are both depiction and symbols of Creativity! Both have a high magnitude of performance to please humanity.

Seven professionals were presented First Friday Forum Awards for Creative Excellence (FFFACE) for outstanding contribution in their respective fields: Ar RR Handa, Ar Balvinder Saini, and Ar Surinder Bahga in Architecture; Mrs Shobha Koser in Kathak, Pandit Yashpaul in Hindustani vocal music, Mr NS Rattan in Punjabi literature, and Mr SD Sharma in art and cultural journalism. Certificate of Commendation was awarded to Angadbir Singh, student of class X-A, Vivek High School, and Oshin Kataria, student of class Plus I, Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh, for their essay on “Architecture and Music”.

T H R E E A R C H I T E C T S AWA R D E D B Y I N D I A N CONCRETE INSTITUTE

The Indian Concrete Institute, Punjab State Centre and Grasim Industries Ltd, (Cement Division) have selected and awarded three buildings from the region as “Outstanding Structures of the year 2008”. These buildings are: (1) Vidya Sagar Institute of Mental Health, Amritsar, designed by Architect Sarbjit Singh Bahga and Structural Engineer V.K. Sood, (2) KMG Towers at Mohali, designed by Architect Sangeet Sharma and Structural Engineer Syal & Associates and, (3) Boys’ Hostel in Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak designed by Architect Hitender Singh and Structural Engineer Sushil Dogra.

The Vidya Sagar Institute of Mental Health, Amritsar, is a sprawling campus meticulously built on 45 acres of land. It accommodates more than 450 mentally-ill patients in a very conducive environment. Since the average stay of patients in a mental hospital is usually much longer than their counterparts in other hospitals, so they need more open spaces. The Campus is thus designed on the concept of “buildings-in- the- garden”. The master plan comprises primarily two zones: the Outer Circle and the Inner Circle. The Outer Circle accommodates the buildings like OPD-cum-Diagnostic-cum-Administrative Block, Occupational Therapy/Rehabilitation Unit, Voluntary Patients’ Unit, Serai, Shopping / Cafeteria besides, Services like Kitchen, Laundry, and Stores. The Inner Circle having wards of different types has further been divided in two Sections: the Male Section on the east and the Female Section on the west. These Sections are enclosed by 6-foot- high boundary-walls with restricted entries.


All the building blocks in the campus have been laid out on a strict Cartesian pattern with symmetrical juxtaposition reminiscent of traditional Indian campuses. The built-up masses and the open spaces are ingeniously interwoven to create a building-in-the-garden effect. The entire hospital complex has been linked by vaulted corridor running independently through open spaces with greenery on both the sides. Built-up benches have been provided at certain intervals for casual sitting while walking in the corridor. The entire Inner Circle has been kept strictly pedestrian so as to impart serene and tranquil environment to the inmates. Vehicular traffic has been restricted to the periphery.

“KMG Towers” at Mohali is awarded for its sustainable measures and efficient services management. Combining technology and aesthetics, the building stands out as a landmark in the IT Park, Mohali.

The design of Boys’ Hostel in Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak was conceived mainly as a response to two factors. Firstly the constraints of the site which was hedged from three sides by existing building blocks and a railway track on the fourth from which a mandatory set back had to be left, leaving little space for the building block. Secondly, the users of the building were medical students given to long hours of academics in their hostel rooms.

The hostel building has been designed around a landscape courtyard with entrance, mess and allied facilities on one side and the rooms on the other three sides. These have been angularly placed alongside of corridor which is doubly loaded. A unique system of cutouts in the central passage on all floors with skylights at top provides excellent light and ventilation inside the building and lighting up the rooms as well.

The decision to award these three projects is taken by a Jury consisting of eminent engineers and architects. The criterion for selection was the innovative use of reinforced concrete as a building material.

A Ghazal concert titled “Tarana” by an accomplished vocalist Rinku Kalia was held at the Tagore Theatre on September 29, 2009 in Chandigarh. The event was organized in association with S-4 Trust, Chandigarh Department of Cultural Affairs, Chandigarh Punjab Chapter of Indian Insitutute of Architects, Silver City Group, Allengers, Fashion Technology Park and Glass Palace.

The concert was aimed at generating resources for the S-4 Trust engaged in the promotion of performing arts and uplift of the girl child. Chief Justice RS Mongia, chairperson of Punjab State Human Rights Commission, while appreciating the S-4 Trust’s gesture, exhorted society to launch a crusade against female foeticide. The ghazal singer, Rinku Kalia, sang for a charity, social and education cause. She is a winner of the prestigious Zee TV Sa Re Ga Ma Award.

The musical evening was a good change from the humdrum of life in which all the architectural fraternity is engaged in. IIA members have applauded the event. Some of the members requested for more such functions in the future.

ISSUE RAISED BY CHANDIGARH-PUNJAB CHAPTER OF IIA:

NEED TO BUILD UNBUILT EDIFICES OF

LE CORBUSIER AND PIERRE JEANNERET

Have we ever thought, what really made the difference between Chandigarh and any other Indian city? Was it cement, brick, stone, steel or glass? No, these materials are the same all over. It was the human mind, political will and constructive thinking of administrators of that time, and above all the genius of master architects like Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew who gave shape to these materials and translated their client’s brief into reality. It was due to these architects that the city of Chandigarh is famous world over as Mecca of Modern Architecture. A retrospection of events in the past four decades reveals that after the demise of Jawaharlal Nehru, Partap Singh Kairon, P.N. Thapar and M. S. Randhawa, their successive administrators have almost forgotten to contribute their share to complete the pending projects designed by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret. Prominent among these are the Museum of Knowledge in the Capitol Complex, a high rise Office Tower in the City Centre, a Senate Hall in Panjab University campus and a Sports Stadium near Sukhna Lake. Most of the people of Chandigarh and even some administrators and architects may not be aware of these unbuilt legacies of the past. A brief overview of these edifices may remind and inspire the present day decision-makers to complete these pending tasks and add some more masterpieces to the city’s kitty.

The Museum of Knowledge, earlier conceived by Le Corbusier as Governor’s Palace was proposed to crown the Capitol Complex at the highest point, almost touching the foothills. Corbusier suggested that a building, to research and study in various fields, should be constructed keeping in mind the future industrialization and development of Punjab. If realized, the Museum of Knowledge would have been a unique structure whose functions were defined by the architect himself. Le Corbusier had foreseen the application of electronics in processing, synthesizing and

IIA ORGANISED A MUSICAL EVENING


capacity of 40,000 persons. It was designed as reinforced-concrete structure with a cladding of shingles and pebbles on the sloping surfaces. Though this ambitious project was approved by the government, but ultimately the project could not be realized due to paucity of funds.

The people of Chandigarh and the architectural fraternity across the globe are ardently anxious to see the realization of these projects. They thus join hands to urge the Chandigarh Administration to build the unbuilt edifices of Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret at the earliest. Only then we shall be able to pay our tributes to the masters.

SUAVE, handsome, charming and a truly multi-faceted personality, Patwant Singh was the polished face of the Sikhs in the later decades of his life. He had, by that time, already earned a formidable reputation by writing on international affairs, the environment, the arts, and as a TV and radio commentator as well as a magazine editor. Patwant Singh was born in New Delhi on March 28, 1925. He was educated in Delhi, after which he worked on construction sites. An urge to communicate his thoughts, and influence things around him, led to his becoming the publisher of the periodical “The Indian Builder”, in 1953, with which he started a career in writing and publishing. He was always immaculately turned out and loved the good things of life. His house, in

presenting information in times to come. He wanted this building to function as a decision-making Centre for bureaucrats. He proposed that the museum would house laboratories where data pertaining to current problems could be processed in computers and used to take high-level decisions. Corbusier explained it thus, “Your museum becomes practicable and capable of being used as soon as the overwhelming techniques of electronics intervene (pictures, sounds, words, colours, diagrams, etc…) manifested by magnetic tape recordings which I have called the ‘Round Books,’ that is to say audio-visual films. These ‘Round Books’ are therefore a new form of modern edition: instead of being printed on paper they are recorded on the magnetic tape.” He was of the view that the scientists, educationists, universities and general public would find the museum of immense value. Nehru strongly approved of this project, but the administrators felt that it was too costly. Function wise, the museum would accommodate offices, laboratories, workshops, exhibition spaces, and a hall to celebrate state level functions. Le Corbusier stressed the necessity of completing the building at Advisory Committee meetings held on June 15, 1963 and April 18, 1964 whereas it was recorded “that to complete the architecture of the Capitol Complex, it is necessary that the building of Museum of Knowledge should be constructed.” In spite of all these developments the building has not yet been constructed.

Chandigarh’s City Centre in Sector-17 is always accused of lack of direction, which is caused mainly due to the unbuilt eleven-storied Office Tower, conceived by Le Corbusier at that time as Post and Telegraph Building. Again it was due to paucity of funds and lack of understanding about the project and its importance in the City Centre, the same could not be realized. Recently, the Housing and Urban Development Corporation was engaged by the Chandigarh Housing Board to carry out the feasibility study of the office tower. It concluded,”…the project is feasible, since little office and shopping space is available in Sector-17 and buyers are still scouting for office and commercial space in and around the City Centre.” A site between

the Jagat Cinema and the General Post Office is earmarked for the high-rise complex comprising two blocks including a double-storied shopping. According to the report, the building complex would act as a focal point for the City Centre. It would offer facilities like office, commercial and shopping space, super departmental stores, medical halls, cyber cafes, games plaza and other entertainment halls, exhibition halls, and cinema complexes with multiple screens, apart from conference and seminar halls. Penthouse-offices would occupy the top floor and the basement would be used as parking space. In spite of the feasibility, the project has not been realized so far. If there is paucity of funds, private developers may be invited to construct this tower on Build-Operate-and-Transfer (BOT) basis.

Amongst the buildings designed by Pierre Jeanneret and were not constructed, is a giant Convocation Hall which is also known as the Senate Hall. The foundation stone of the building was laid in February 1962, but due to paucity of funds it has not yet been realized. If constructed the building will comprise a large convocation hall, the offices of the Vice-Chancellor, the Dean of University Instruction and the Senate, the syndicate chamber and committee rooms. The oval contours of the Senate Hall has a roof which will be held by two concrete portals making four saddle-shaped hyperbolic shells springing again from four arches from the ground. If and when built, the building will be another architectural masterpiece on the university campus.

The Sports Stadium in Chandigarh is another unrealized project designed by Le Corbusier. At a meeting of the Council of Ministers held on August 4, 1955, the Punjab Government took a decision to construct a Sports Stadium in Chandigarh. It was to be named after Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Le Corbusier was asked to prepare a design for the stadium. It was proposed to be located in the bed of Sukhna Choe in the neighborhood of Sector-26. It would consist of a playing field surrounded by an athletic track. A five-metre wide rain-water canal was proposed around the playing field to drain out the rain water in the stadium. The height of the seating pavilion was to be 25 metres with a seating

AN OBITUARY

PATWANT SINGH (1925-2009)-AN AESTHETE PAR EXCELLENCE

Patwant Singh died on August 8, 2009


Honorary Treasurer Ar.Bhupinder Kumar MangotraJoint Secretary-I Ar. Raj Kumar AggarwalJoint Secretary-II Ar. Pankaj Chhabra

Executive Members· Ar. Bina Bansal· Ar. Sanjiv Aggarwal· Ar. Gurjit Singh Chawla· Ar. Amit Arora· Ar. Sukhpal Singh

Special Invitee Ar. Mohinderjit Singh

PATIALA SUB-CENTRE

The Sub-Centre was launched at the glittering ceremony held at Hotel Harbans Residency Patiala on October 14, 2009

List of Office Bearers for Patiala Sub-Centre:

Chairman Ar LR GuptaVice Chairman Ar Pritpal Singh AhluwaliaHonorary Treasurer Ar Sanjeev Kumar GoyalSecretaries Ar RS Sandhu,

Ar Lokesh Gupta, Ar GC Aggarwal

· Ar Gurdeep Singh · Ar Mohan Singh · Ar Gurbachan Singh Rehsi · Ar Ramesh Kumar Grover· Ar Amit Raj Singla· Ar Sanjay Kumar· Ar Vikram Shah· Ar Aman Deep Singh

FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

Special JIIA Issue on Chandigarh-Punjab Architecture in January 2010.

IIA is bringing out a special issue on Chandigarh-Punjab Architecture in the month of January, 2010. All the IIA Members are requested to send their selected projects to IIA office at Chandigarh before December 7, 2009. It should consist of maximum four pictures of the projects alongwith a brief write-up of about 500 words. Also send a brief CV and photo of the author. You can send the entries either by email ([email protected]) or by post to the Jt Honorary Secretary, IIA Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter.

Travelling Exhibition on” Modern Architecture”

Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter of IIA intends to curate a travelling exhibition on “Modern Architecture” including projects of its esteemed members. It is proposed that maximum 40 numbers of projects shall be displayed on panels having size of 2’-0"x3’-0". All the IIA Members are requested to send their selected projects with a maximum of six pictures having a resolution of 300 Dpi alongwith a brief design concept. The exhibition shall be shown in various cities of India and Abroad.

The Jury Members shall be Ar Jit Kumar Gupta, Director Bhaddal College of Architecture, Ropar, Ar SS Sekhon, Principal, Indo Global College of Architecture and Ar Renu Saigal, Former Chief Architect, Chandigarh.

The last date for sending the submission is Dec. 15, 2009. You can send the entries either by email ([email protected]) or by post to the Jt Honorary Secretary, IIA Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter.

National Conference on Energy-Efficient Building Design, Wednesday, November11, 2009. Organised by Indo-Global College of Architecture, Abhipur, District SAS Nagar.

Exhibition “Horizontal City-Vertical Village” at Government Museum & Art Gallery, Sector 10, Chandigarh by Ms Barbara Hoegner on 24-30 November, 2009. Organised by German Ministry for Foreign Relations, German Embassy in New Delhi & Institute for Foreign Relations, Stuttgart, Germany.

Presentation by Ar Anil Laul at Hotel Taj on December 5, 2009. Organised by Hindware & IIA.

one of the nicest areas of Lutyen’s Delhi, was very well appointed, full of books on literature and art, and it was a delight to hear him speak impeccable English. No wonder, he was much in demand as an orator. He lived with his wife, Meher Dilshaw. Design, multidisciplinary journal edited and published by him, was a trailblazer when it came out in 1957. He wrote in various Indian newspapers, and his views were also published in the US’s New York Times, Canada’s Globe and Mail and the UK’s Independent. His first book, “India and the Future of Asia” (1967), had the 1962 Sino-Indian War as a backdrop. The Struggle for Power in Asia (1971) sought to counter the biased Western perceptions. Patwant Singh was the main person responsible for building Kabliji Hospital and the Rural Health Centre, near Gurgaon. He had a heart attack in 1977, but resumed normal life soon after.

It was after 1984 that he wrote on matters concerning the Sikhs and wrote the main article for the book “Punjab: The Fatal Miscalculation” (1985). The famous volume “The Golden Temple” (1989) was followed by “Of Dreams and Demons” (1994), a memoir and “The Sikhs” (1999). “Garland Around My Neck: The Story of Puran Singh of Pingalwara” was co-written with Harinder Kaur Sekhon. In “The World According to Washington: An Asian View” (2005), he returned to the relationship of the West with Asia as a whole. Last year, he co-authored “Empire of The Sikhs: The Life and Times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh”, with Jyoti M Rai. With Patwant Singh’s death at the age of 84 on Saturday, an aesthete presence has left No. 11, Amrita Shergil Marg, New Delhi. Patwant Singh left an elegant mark on the world around him.

A Tribute by Roopinder Singh [Courtesy: The Tribune, August, 9 2009]

AMRITSAR SUB-CENTRE

The Sub-Centre was launched at a ceremony held in stHotel Ritz at Amritsar on 31 October, 2009

List of Office Bearers for Amritsar:Chairman Ar.Paramjit Singh MahooraVice Chairman Ar. Rattan Singh

IIA SUB-CENTRES ATAMRITSAR AND PATIALA FORMED

Executive Members & Special Invitees

Phillip Welti, The Ambassador of Switzerland has all praise for IIA Times

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THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTSCHANDIGARH-PUNJAB CHAPTERSCO 53-55, 3rd Floor, Sector 17-D,Chandigarh-160 017. Ph. : 0172-2722466Email : [email protected]

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IIA TIMES / AUGUST - OCTOBER 2009 IIA: CHD-PB CHAPTER

It was so informative.

It is good to know that lots of things are happening over there!

Jagath Munasinghe, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

It is a noble endeavour on your part to have launched the newsletter. It is very important to create and spread awareness about the issues in architectural education and profession. I am sure that you will ensure that the circulation is extended to authorities and experts and social activists from related fields.

I wish you all the success in this constructive endeavour.

Prof. Akhtar Chauhan, DirectorRizvi College of Architecture,Mumbai 400 050

Newsletter looks great. Add hyperlinks to access key websites in the notes. This will help the reader to access relevant information with more depth if needed.

My best,

Ameen Farooq, PhD Chair, Department of Architecture Southern Polytechnic State University 1100 South Marietta Parkway Marietta, GA 30060

Good effort indeed for the e-mail copy of the newsletter. Thanks and very best wishes for

your dynamism in activities of the chapter.

Ar Rajiv Biala, New Delhi

IIA Newsletter Chandigarh chapter includes some interesting details and developments in the region. I will welcome to receive further editions whenever made public.

All the best for your noble efforts,

Prof. Vishwamitter

I was very glad to know (thru news letter) that IIA-Punjab chapter convinced CPWD for no EMD for architects.

This was necessary since long. Many Govt organisations have been collecting EMD despite presence of Architects Act. I consider this step as big achievement/initiative by IIA-Punjab Chapter.

Architect-Planner Kandarp Bhatt, Vadodara

Thanks and my sincere compliments for the very informative and interesting Newsletter.

Keep it up,

Ar Pondz POTNISVice President... IIA

Your newsletter is wonderful. Keep up the excellent work. You are setting up new standards in architectural professionalism.

Dr SS Bhatti, Former Principal, CCA

READERS’ RESPONSE

IIA Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter invites the members and readers responses on “ARCHITECTURE-2050”. You can email your responses at ([email protected]) or fax at 0172-2721145 or post at the Chapter address.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

We welcome the following newly elected members to the Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter of Indian Institute of Architects:

Fellows:Ar. Sanjay Goel, Ludhiana

Associates:Ar. Gurdeep Singh, PatialaAr. Rohit Kapoor, PatialaAr. Tarun Garg, PatialaAr. Amit Raj Singla, PatialaAr. Meenaxi Sharma, MohaliAr. Raghav Bhardwaj, JalandharAr. Magandip Singh Riar, JalandharAr. Raman Kumar, JalandharAr. Dinesh Chander Bhagat, Jalandhar Ar. Amrinder Paul Singh, JalandharAr. Anshu Kohli, Jalandhar

Renewals:Ar. Pramod K. Garg (A-06301)Ar. Gagandeep Singh Ghai (A-13092)Ar. Anu Singh (A-16027)Ar. Gagandeep Singh (A-15290)Ar. Ravinderjit Singh (A-13094)

READERS’ COMMENTS ON IIA TIMES