Au Courant:Discovering Our Times

Editorial

Message From The President....................................Message From The Secretary...................................Message From The Principal.....................................Message From The Academic Co-ordinator..........Message From The Magazine Co-ordinators..........Our Faculty.................................................................Susamwad..................................................................Introduction................................................................

Student Articles Master Has The Answer......................................... Reinvention Of Me................................................. The Hologram......................................................... Earthships................................................................ Monkey see, Monkey Do...................................... La Mode ................................................................. Poems......................................................................

Faculty Articles Discovering Traditional Housing Features........... From The Land Of The Rising Sun In India............ Interviews And Recognition Ar. Steven Holl........................................................ Ar. Kulbhushan Jain............................................... Ar. James Law........................................................ Ar. B. S. Bhooshan..................................................

Ten Years Of S.C.O.A................................................

Academic Work 1st yr. B.Arch and B.Arch I.D............................... 2nd yr. B.Arch and B.Arch I.D............................... 3rd yr. B.Arch......................................................... 4th yr. B.Arch......................................................... 5th yr. B.Arch......................................................... M Arch.....................................................................

Research Cell.............................................................

S.C.O.A. Events Achievements........................................................ Fashioning Architecture........................................ Photography.......................................................... “Quotable” Architecture...................................... Fun Section............................................................. Sponsorships...............................................................

‘Au Courant’ refers to recreating something from the past. This can be interpreted as conservation of our past and modifying it so as to make it usable in the present. The theme also reflects on environmental issues and how to create more nature friendly structures. So let us take steps to reinvent ourselves in a more harmonious way.

Editor : Rishabh Mangal

Sub Editors : Aparna Iyer, Stephanie Lowe

Editorial Advisor : Raunak P. Giri

Sponsorships: Ashish More, Arjun Shah, Harshvardhan Khurd

Faculty Co-ordinators: Ar. Vaishali Latkar, Ar. Medha Gokhale, Ar. Preeti Dhanwat.

Rishabh Mangal

Message From The Editor Contents 1 1 2 2 3 3 5 7

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Editorial Team: Brandon Gonsalves, Mishal Shah, Arjun Chaudhary, Ketki Awati, Manasi Joshi, Aditi Galande, Anisha Jadhav, Prerna Shetty, Aditi Borikar, Sana Nasikwala, Neha Kode, Khushboo Dugad, Sandhya Laddha, Nishant Mehta, Aniket Kulkarni, Riddesh Mistry, Sayali Mahajan, Imran Khan, Anuja Girme, Akash Dangre.

Welcome to Sinhgad College of Architecture. Your finest hour is here. The future belongs to you. Remember, nothing was ever achieved without hard work. Let us all zealously work together and dedicate ourselves to build India of our dreams. Be bold but don't be bowled over. Let perseverance and duty be your watchwords. Keep courage and continue to work with Fortitude. Have faith in yourself and in The Almighty.

Innovative ideas, creative activities and budding talent are what revolve around Sinhgad College of architecture, and implementing these with zest and excitement is the reason for its success. Sinhgad College of architecture is integrally committed to provide excellence in art and design education.

Architecture is one of those impeccable arts, which involves a perfect blend of innovation and technical skill, leaving an everlasting impression upon one's mind. The college's success is deeply rooted in the quality of education the students are exposed to. It involves various aspects like the quality of teaching, the educational facilities, additional exposure to site visits, guests' lectures, workshops, case studies, etc. and the atmosphere in which the student learns. Individual accomplishments portrayed together form an avenue for further participation.

There is a lot happening in the college. At its core is our commitment to create and support an exceptional learning experience for our students. Well known artist, Andrew Wyeth rightly said, “At moments of great enthusiasm it seems to me that no one in the world has ever made something this beautiful and important.”

Our College magazine has been one of the best means to develop the creative skills of our students and also to discover their own hidden talents. The editorial board has impressed me and have presented excellent work. I am deeply indebted to them and also to our students who have contributed to this magazine.

Message from The President

It gives a me great pleasure to welcome you to “Abhivyakti”, the annual magazine of Sinhgad College of Architecture. On this occasion of decade celebration I would like to congratulate all the individuals who have been striving hard for the institute from the time of its commencement. The students and the faculty have put in much effort in compiling and editing the articles, academic work and messages to finally present to you this amazing magazine that perfectly represents our college.

As an Educational Institute we are proud about the direction in which we are heading. I am proud of our comprehensive intake and the rich cultural mix we all enjoy each day. Sinhgad is a lively place to be in as it is full of motivated students who play a significant part in their own learning by balancing between academic and co-curricular activities. Sinhgad is also full of dedicated staff members who work tirelessly alongside the students to ensure that they are happy, fulfilled and challenged.

I would like to tell the students “S.C.O.A is your college and you are the most integral part of this learning community. It is you who have the ability to uphold the name of our college and reach it to greater heights.” All the member of this community: both Core faculty and Visiting faculty, Management, and of course the students, are actively engaged in learning and growing as an individual.

From the very start the hard work and the experience of the students and the faculty have been very fulfilling. It has been a glorious journey through the decade and this magazine is a witness to all our achievements and success. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did while making it all happen.

Prof. M.N. NavalePresident

Dr. Mrs. Sunanda NavaleSecretary

Message from The Secretary

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As per the annual ritual, we are at the juncture where I wish to give a message to the students through the medium of the college magazine. The theme of the magazine this year is “Au Courant” a French word which means “making aware (of the present)” This awareness of the present implies awareness of the past as well as the future, because the present emerges from the past and so does the future unfold from the present. In fact the present is the link between the past and the future. Understanding of the past is a must to understand the present and through the present the future.

Just as the architecture of each era was the outcome of respective forces, a reflection of the then contemporary civilization, the digital age is upon us with all its ramifications. Thus our contemporary architecture is to respond to this digital aged digital culture. In fact digital architecture has the potential to be one of the prime movers of the digital age, rather than passively just reflect the same. Our budding architects therefore have to be educated and made aware of these facts so that they can respond to the emerging digital age in an appropriate manner.

Thus our M.Arch (Computer Applications) course was started keeping this requirement in view. In fact this is

one of the very few courses world over, which looks at contemporary architecture from this perspective. Of course, this

makes it imperative to look at the cutting edge technology not just in architecture but in all walks of life and take

cognizance of the myriads of interactions between all of them. This is the line with our philosophy that in order to be a

good architect, it is necessary to be a good (well aware) person first.

My best wishes to the editorial team in their quest of awareness, of the past, present and the future.

Message From the Principal

In the past we have had great civilizations shaped by geography and climate, technology, culture, etc. There have been great revolutions which have changed lives forever, like the agriculture and domestication revolution, industrial revolution and the commercial revolution. These days we are in the throes of another revolution, the “digital revolution”.

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Dr. Milind TelangPrincipalSinhgad College of Architecture

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Message from the magazine Co-ordinator

The Abhivyakti team outreaches its vivid readers another year with an edition full of expressions, impressions and creative spirit with the quest of discovering our times….“Au Courant” focuses the understanding of past to make sense of the present and its relevance to the future through reinvention. Reinvention in the course of its idea formulation endeavors to restore the essential original values within the process of creation with the context of change. Our very present proposes a challenge to imbibe and nurture a culture that supports education and change towards a proactive learning process. The need of the hour today is to reshape, rebuild and recreate a new vocabulary to meet the cross cultural domains within architecture and beyond . Abhivyakti brings forth the contribution of people from various walks of life who have contributed to make a meaningful difference to the shaping of environments that we live in.

This year Abhivyakti unfolds the ten years of Sinhgad College of architecture by deciphering the layers of time through the kaleidoscope of events and activities that outline the essence of the college and its flight towards the future…..

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Ar. Vaishali LatkarAr. Medha GokhaleAr. Preeti DhanwatSinhgad College of Architecture

our faculty

Dr.M.V.Telang Principal B.Arch, MCP, Ph.D.Ar.Sudhir Chavan Professor B.Arch, M.Tech.Ar.Banani Banerjee Asst.Professor B.Arch, M.C.P.Ar.Kalpana Hadap Asst.Professor G.D.Arch, M.La.Ar.Priyamvada Chitale Asst.Professor B.Arch, M.E.T.P. Ar.Ravindra Raigude Asst. Professor B.Arch, M.Arch Ar.Medha Gokhale Lecturer B.Arch. M.Tech.Ar.Onkar Khebudkar Lecturer B.ArchAr.Vaidehi Lavand Lecturer B.Arch

DEPARTMENT OF B.ARCH

LIST OF CORE FACULTY

Dr.M.V.Telang Principal B.Arch, MCP, Ph.DAr.Gauri Shiurkar Asst. Professor B.Arch, M.Arch Ar.Preeti Dhanwat Asst. Professor B.Arch, M.ArchAr.Rajeev Kulkarni Sr.Lecturer B.Arch M.ArchAr.Shilpa Kshirsagar Lecturer B.ArchAr.Kavita Patil Lecturer B.ArchAr.Anita Kavthekar Lecturer B.ArchAr.Manjusha Gokhale Lecturer B.Arch

DEPARTMENT OF B.ARCH(I.D.)

DEPARTMENT OF M.ARCH(Architectural Conservation)

DEPARTMENT OF M.ARCH(Computer Applications)

Dr.M.V.Telang B.Arch, M.CP, Ph.D. .Ar.Vaishali Latkar B.Arch, M.Arch

Dr.M.V.Telang B.Arch, MCP, Ph.D.Ar.Pankaja Bagul B.Arch, M.T.P, M.Phil(sp.Digital Design)Ar.Manjusha Surse B.Arch, M.Arch.

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LIST OF VISITING FACULTY

DEPARTMENT OF B.ARCH DEPARTMENT OF B.ARCH (I.D.)

Ar.R.K.RahalkarAr.R.P.DeshmukhAr.Dilip PathakAr.V.M.WadAr.Jayant SatheAr.Anil KulkarniAr.T.B.ShindeAr.D.W.DhumaleyEr. A.P.DamleEr.Vijay DatirEr.Rahul N. MaliAr.Arthur CoutinhoAr.Rajeshri KharwadkarAr.Aniruddha SaneAr.Sheetal DeshpandeAr.Anagha DeshpandeAr.Shaunak KadamAr.Minal Sagare Ar.Sarang Inamdar.Ar.Amit GadgilAr.Manas MaratheAr.Dhairyasheel PowarAr.Alok MaratheAr.Rajendra YeolekarAr.Vivek Anand Ar.Avinash Bhise Ar.Ajay MadaneAr.Nilesh SuryavanshiAr. Nachiket Gujar

Ar.Geetanjali K.BhonsaleAr.Anshul GujarathiMrs.J.P.BhusariAr.Pramod PargaonkarAr.Tushar KothawadeEr.Manjunath BhagoneAr.Sheetal DeshpandeAr.NivsarkarAr.V.N.ChannapattanAr.S.SahastrabuddheAr.Atul KulkarniAr.Sandeep JoshiAr.R.RahalkarAr.Jitendra PawagiAr.Seema AgasheAr.Jayant SatheAr.Swati OkaMrs.Alka RodeAr.Kshipra DevalAr.Sonal Nirmal Ar.Manoj Kanase Ar.Manali Deshmukh

DEPARTMENT OF M.ARCH(Computer Applications)

Ar.Sabu FransisEr.Ganesh PathakAr.Supriya Nene

Ar.Minal Sagare Er.S.Nagargoje Er.V.Deshmukh Dr.Nikhil Shejwalkar Ar.Dhairyasheel Pawar

Ar.Adwait Potnis

DEPARTMENT OF M.ARCH(Architectural Conservation) Ar.Narendra Dengle

Ar.Kiran Kalmandani

Ar.Avinash Sowani

Ar.Asha Baste

Ar.Girikumar

Ar.Anuradha Joshi

Ar.Sonal Chitnis-Karanjikar

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SUSAMVAD

SUSAMVAD is a committee of all students in our college which conducts all extra-curricular activities that happen in the college. Various events like culturals, sports, seminars and workshops by prominent architects and experts. NASA events and the annual exhibition also happen because of the SUSAMVAD. We thank all students and staff communities for their active participation.

Ar. Sudhir Chavan

Chairman Dr. M.V. Telang Ar. Sudhir Chavan

Seminar Co-ordinators Ar. Rajeev Kulkarni Ar. Kavita Patil

Workshop Co-ordinator Ar. Kalpana Hadap Ar. Anita Kavthekar

Material Museum Ar. Preeti Dhanwat Ar. Anita Kavthekar

Wall Paper & Magazine Ar. Vaishali LatkarCo-ordinators Ar. Medha Gokhale

Ar. Preeti Dhanwat

Cultural Co-ordinator Ar. Onkar KhebudkarAr.Gauri Shiurkar

Sports Co-ordinators Ar. Ravindra RaigudeAr. Sudhir Chavan

Susamvad Co-ordinator

Co-ordintors

Susamvad Co-ordinator

Research Cell Co-ordinators Ar. Pankaja BagulAr. Vaidehi Lavand

NASA Coordinators Ar. Sudhir ChavanAr. Gauri Shiurkar

Exhibition Co-ordinators Ar. Banani BanerjeeAr. Medha Gokhale

Annual Prize Distribution & Ar. P.N. ChitaleArchitectural Competitons Ar. Onkar Khebudkar

Ar. Shilpa KshirsagarPhotography & Documentation Ar. Kalpana Hadap

Ar. Anita KavthekarWebsite Co-ordinators Ar.Kalpana Hadap

Ar. Anita KavthekarAnti-Ragging Committee Dr. M.V. Telang

Ar. Sudhir ChavanAr.Banani Banerjee

Library Co-ordinators Ar. Shobha ShettyAr. Medha GokhaleAr. Pankaja Bagul

Film Club Co-ordinator Ar. Vaidehi LavandDecade Celebration Ar. Banani Banerjee

Ar. Rajeev Kulkarni Ar. Sudhir Chavan Ar. Kalpana HadapAlumni Co-ordinator Ar. Rajeev Kulkarni

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ORIGAMI WORKSHOP By Ar. DEVAL

Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. The goal of this art is to create a representation of an object using geometric folds and crease patterns preferably without gluing or cutting the paper, and using only one piece of paper. In modular origami several identical units are combined to form a figure.

ART WORKSHOP By Artist Rasika J from Sri LankaThis workshop was held for the students of 1st year. It was a part of Basic Design and was to introduce the topic “COLOUR”in the course after point,plane and forms.

SCOA CULTURALSSCOA culturals is a big time event eagerly awaited by all the students and faculty members where every class competes with the other and the winners get a chance to step in Sinhgad Karandak.As every year even this time culturals rocked the floor with different themes like Twilight, Streets, Renaissance, Reduce Reuse Recycle Life Reloaded etc.

SCOA FILM CLUBThe film “Dead Poet Society”was shown.

EXPRESSIONS 2008-09Theme-Development of PuneThis was the exhibition of our college hosted on a large scale first time outside the college premises.Prominent architects like Ar. Ajay Kulkarni,Ar.Vivek Dixit, Ar.John Raftery had come to inaugrate the exhibition and address the students.

INTER-CLASS SPORTSInter class sports events which included indoor (carom, chess and table tennis) and outdoor (cricket and football)were also conducted.

SINHGAD KARANDAKThis is an inter college event for all colleges in Pune hosted by STES which includes a number of events like dance, fashion show, street play, singing, Mr. and Ms. Sinhgad etc!We have a pride of winning the Sinhgad Karandak Fashion Show for the past three years! Last year all clothes being made of waste materials and being designed and stitched by the students of our college!

ZO-NASA

Annual SAARC Nasa Theme - Winds of ChangeThis convention was hosted by all colleges in Pune at Balewadi. It was the 1st annual SAARC NASA to be conducted and so a great pride for all Pune colleges!

We received a special mention for the cultural competition.

Workshops 2009-2010

Introduction

Au Courant :Discovering Our Times

“The reinvention of daily life means marching off the edge of our maps.”

- All Waller

The direct translation of the French expression “Au Courant” is “in the current”. Its usage in English has come to mean “making aware”. Architecture of the current day is a confluence of the past and the future but catering to the needs of the present. To create the perfect present we must constantly reinvent ourselves and improve upon our approach. Reinvention can be taken in two senses:- bring back into existence; create a new and make over.

Throughout time, there have always been those few individuals who have stood out from the rest for but one reason; their ability to think of the yet undone and to their fearlessness to venture onto turfs unknown. This ability to think 'out of the box' is what rendered them the foremost in their fields and this is exactly what each one of us must strive to achieve.

The present is a gift bestowed upon us that we have arrived at by learning from experiences of the past. The structures we design today should strike a balance between the past and present by adopting and implementing exceptional features from the past and paving the way for the architecture of the future.

This year, through Abhivyakti we intend to bring into focus the impending concerns about our environment and delve deeply into subjects like preserving the positive aspects of the past, reinventing the old to suit our current needs, Green buildings and Sustainable architecture, learning about and interviewing architects who have contributed and changed the course of architecture.

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Man learns from his mistakes made in the past and improves every time. Thus our present stands on the shoulders

of our past to deal with the future. Man definitely is an imperfect animal, but he constantly strives to look for perfection.

Thus we are relatively perfect today in comparison to yesterday but still have to achieve and strive for perfection for a

better tomorrow. We must make a balance of perfection and imperfection in the present to achieve something. The

starting quote cited is the observation of master architect Louis Isadore Kahn, an observation of life so meticulous.

Apparently, what he meant as far as I can grasp is that right from the birth of the first human being on our planet

he had been “seeing” things, observing them, thinking about them, making mistakes, concluding and acting

accordingly. Thus, the things had always been there right from time immemorial, when man acted in accordance with

the situations happening around him; he reinvented and updated them as time passed by.

master has the answer!

Swapnil Suresh JoshiThird Yr. B.Arch

The literal translation of 'Au Courant' is 'in the current' and the English

usage of it is 'making aware'. At first, it is necessary to understand what is meant

by being Aware. The dictionary meaning of Aware is being concerned and well

informed about a particular situation or development i.e. having an absolute

knowledge of a thing or a situation of application of it for creation of a thing or

should I say reinventing it in the realm of time to suit its times.

Going back to Au Courant i.e. making aware! Aware of what?....

According to me; making aware of times, making aware of age, making aware

of being human, making aware of our connection to the Earth and everything

around, living or dead.

All that we see around us owes its creation to our minds. Everything

around us, be it natural or artificial, 'is a very true figment of our imagination'.

The question troubling every honest, willing mind is what the future of

our Age is? Is it the Age of the Internet, where paper is not used and trees are

saved eventually? In the present we are using up our reserves of non renewable

resources like coal and oil, and ravaging our planet. More renewable solutions are the needs of our age. Even the fields

of art have become affected by this. Specially architecture wherein, the materials like R. C. C. could not be reused once

cast making it nothing but waste. More of sustainable, earth materials have started replacing the man's rock.

So can we foretell Sustainable Architecture to be the need of the age? I lack the wisdom required to predict our future,

but I think Louis Kahn has already answered the question in the quote mentioned above.

“What was, had always been,

What is, had always been,

And what will be, had always been!”

- LOUIS KAHN

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Throughout time, man has reinvented himself in all aspects of life. In fact it is the principle on which the

world operates. “Why do we continuously need to change and replace the old with the new if the world was

so perfect?” I have asked myself this question many a times. To this I came up with the conclusion that if there

was nothing new in this world, man would get tired of life in such a rut, as questioning and pondering are

characteristics man is known to be attributed with.

In my life, there was a phase when I too took to the concept of reinvention enthusiastically. This was

when I realized that music was my passion.

Getting influenced and inspired was my first step. Then came the obsession to do better

and to delve into greater detail until I was completely satisfied. By this time I had changed my ideas into

something I had never imagined when I first started and then I could say “I think this is it”.

Imagine for a second a world without change, like having the same dal everyday or wearing the

same type of clothes everyday or if every building looked alike (food, clothing, architecture). This is only the

very basic situations of choice where we decide for ourselves everyday. Even God would have thought twice

before he created our universe and all the things in it.

It has been observed that reinvention occurs because of necessity and only by struggling to achieve

the best can it be accomplished. This is probably why God made us the way we are; never satisfied, always

wanting better. Some believe that life is not perfect and never will be, but only through constant change can

we hope for a better future.

Music is a subject so vast, that no two persons could ever create a

similar tune and this individuality is the most important aspect of it. I myself try to think of the yet undone and

create my own music.

In simplified terms, reinvention means doing over or inventing again and again. It is a naturally

occurring process and can be compared with Einstein’s theory of relativity which states that energy cannot be

destroyed but gets converted to a different form. In the same way the very first idea or thought does not get

destroyed but transforms into something better.

Reinvention of me

Riddhish M. MistryFirst Yr. B.Arch

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But, I have! Woo-hoo!

Most esoteric and mystic religions teach that separation is an ILLUSION. Hindu

guru, Patanjali spoke the Oneness that Jesus is credited with, two hundred years before

Jesus. For me, Jesus and Mohammed did the best at putting it all together, but that

might be because I am most familiar with Christian and Islamic teachings than I am with

Zoroastrianism or other religious teachings, I mean, one has to work and it takes way too

long to master one, let alone several spiritual paths.

Thus, it is the spiritual hologram that currently makes the most sense to me. How

about you?

Arjun Choudhary Third Yr. B.Arch

The Hologram - Contemporary Religion

So, WHAT IF, these past life regressions, incarnations, and the like are just anomalies

wherein a person was able to "tap" into some parts of the hologram? Anyway that's where I

am, where I logically explain such stories, while being open to something different.

Psi research is opening many new doors by the day! Who knows what tomorrow will

bring?

Seventeen centuries ago, Plotinus wrote, "We must close our eyes and invoke a new manner of SEEING: a wakefulness

that is the birthright of us ALL, though few put it to use." Bingo! Separation is an ILLUSION. Religion has taught duality so hard for so

long, it's not easy to break the mold and take the tinted specs (religious especially) off of our eyes. It's even harder to find a

community of people who even want to go there.

Do I believe in incarnation? My answer is no. Am I open to the possibility? Sure!

Why would anyone want to be "closed-minded" to life? Well, I know why many are, but

let us not digress. Well then, what about past life regressions and people who remember

what's called past life or reincarnation? Glad you asked!

Point #1:

I believe we are ALL ONE! All our respective GODS make that point pretty clear

to me and many scientists would concur but from a different paradigm.

Point #2:

The movie Rain Man and the whole idea of savant mysteries wherein an

individual can "tap" into some segment of knowledge (music, math, geography, etc.)

with freaky precision and insight must cause us to wonder "what if" we could tap into

a broader field?

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EARTHSHIPS – Tyres and Dirt making Architectural Masterpieces.

A home out of everything that other regular houses throw out...!!!! Unimaginable, yet

very much in the making around the world.

Earthships offer an entirely different and appreciably better quality of life. Forget

sterile square rooms. Forget the shadows and stifling of a conformist house. Forget

never-ending home maintenance. Leave behind utility bills, polluted city water, and

overpriced property values.

An earthship is a type of passive solar home made of natural and recycled materials,

generally made of earth filled tyres. The concept is the brainchild of Michael Reynolds who has established the Earthship

Biotecture at Taos, New Mexico with a home that would do 3 things – first, it would be sustainable, using materials native to

the entire planet as well as recycled materials wherever possible. Second, it would rely completely on natural energy

resources. Third, it would be possible for an average person to build with no special construction skills whatsoever.

The homes are primarily constructed to work freely, utilising thermal mass construction to

naturally regulate indoor temperatures. These are generally off the grid homes (OTG –

living in a self sufficient manner without reliance on public utilities i.e. no water and

electricity lines) minimizing dependence on fossil fuels.

Earthships are built to utilize the available local resources, especially energy from the sun.

For instance, windows on the sunny side admit heat and light and the buildings are often

horse shoe shaped to maximize natural light and solar gain during winter months.

Sun facing facade showing solar panels

Tyre wall in construction

Bottle Wall used in construction

The internal non load bearing walls are a honeycomb of recycled cans stiffened by concrete and called “tin can walls”.

They are usually thickly plastered with stucco. The roofs of earthships are heavily insulated – with earth or adobe – for added

energy efficiency.

The home is built largely with used materials most of which are easily accessible and free for the asking. Used steel-belted

automobile tyres, packed solid with earth, become giant 400-pound bricks that create sound-proof, fire and earthquake

resistant, fortress-like walls.

In concerns with water management, pure, uncontaminated rain water is collected from

permitted potable roofing material into water storage tanks that provide an abundant

source of water even in areas with minimal rainfall. In places where water conservation is

especially important, earthship plumbing systems are configured so that the "grey water"

runoff from sinks and showers drains into large indoor or outdoor garden planters rather than

directly into a septic tank. Excess planter water is recaptured, filtered, and reused to flush the

toilets. This expertise dramatically reduces water usage and places considerably less burden

on the septic system than a conventional plumbing system.

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These days too many of us seem to cover our eyes and blindly follow the traditions of new age rituals. We tend

to just follow in the footsteps of the past without wondering why those steps were taken in the first place.Let me explain my point with a short story.

There used to be a monkey cage in a zoo. The monkeys were fed by hanging bananas from the top of the

cage. Whenever a monkey was hungry he just climbed the cage and ate the bananas. They were used to such

a life. After some time the management in the zoo changed and the new management did not like the existing

practice. Guards were placed outside the cage so that whenever a monkey started climbing the cage they

could fire from a water hose at the monkeys. The monkeys soon realise that they were climbing the cage that

evoked such reactions from the guards and so they stopped any monkey from climbing the cage.

After a couple of weeks a new monkey was introduced in the cage. He saw the bananas and started climbing

the cage, unaware of the water. As soon as the other monkeys saw this they started hitting the new comer to

stop him from climbing. Whenever a new monkey was introduced this practice continued and even when all

the original monkeys were replaced by new ones the practice still continued with every monkey being unaware

of any water hose.

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As far as ventilation is concerned, earthships are so designed to use the natural flow of wind. Colder air comes in through an open front window and flows out through one of the skylights placed on the earthship. As hot air rises, this system maintains itself.

Earthships offer a quality of life that raises the standard on humane, gracious living. Electricity is created

by solar panels. Heat is absorbed into the home through large, south facing double-glazed windows. Cooling,

even in inclement hot summers, happens through contact between the house and stable year-round earth

temperature.

In short, an earthship is a fortress-like home that fully encounters natural phenomena of the planet to

provide people with shelter, heating, cooling, water, and even sewage processing through clever, novel, and

inexpensive design!!!!

Farida Kaizar Sadliwala

3rd Yr.B. Arch

Monkey see, monkey do

Adwait InamdarFourth Yr. B. Arch

If at all the monkeys were given a chance to speak and were asked why they prevented

one and other from climbing the cage they would say "pata nahin, yahaan pe to aise hi

karte hain sab. Aisa hi hamesha se yaha chalta aa raha hai."

Does such response sound any familiar?????......

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Throughout its history, architecture has seen a number of phases, in the same way as fashion. Inspiration is everywhere. One needs to stop, look and yet explore more.

The most ubiquitious wardrobe favourite - DENIMSDenim Jeans have become a global style to get in every avatar. From current generation teenagers to mums, every one feels comfortable in a pair of denims. Denims do their job well, either blended with a nice pair of kolhapuri chappals or stilettoes.

Right from corporate professionals to students, we find a perfect mix and match of waist coats and denims.

Fashion changes as time changes but what is memorized is styling.

SAREE : Soul of India, woman of the world.

F o l l o w i n g t h e t r a d i t i o n o f draping a saree since years has b e c o m e m o r e e l e g a n t a f t e r adding a classic and modern tinge of colours ,design a n d m a t e r i a l s f u r t h e r accessorising it.

AU COURANT JEWELS-

Symbol of power, passion and have a l w a y s b e e n considered one of the most beautiful a n d a r t i s t i c expressions.

Experimenting is on a high . Street swart , body art , nail art , funky h a i r d o ’ s , shades e tc . rank the top of the list.

Fashion is nothing but expressing yourself and your personality through your clothes . But one doesn’t need a suit and boot to show one’s creativity. One can be pretty causal yet stylish.

Black and white can be fun.Don’t be afraid of colors.Say yes to prints.Choose the style that suits your shape.

Rashmi SoniAditti JainSecond Yr B.Arch

WHATS IN , WHATS OUT???

“ T h e difference b e t w e e n style and fashion is quality.”- G i o r g i o Armani

"Style" is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style.” -John Fairchild

“Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.”-Oscar Wilde

A fashion designer has to be creative. They have to express their designs in sketches. They need not be excellent artists but should be capable of combining tones, shades and colors. Dress designers need to have good imagination and an ability to think in three-dimension to translate into fashion what they can contemplate.

La mode

In Mughal Architecture, ornamentation, fenestration details and colours were highly observed. The attire of that period was equally ornamented, using bright colours and flowy patterns as seen in anarkalis, which are now back with minimum yet classy ornamentation.

Christian Architecture was more formal and westernized yet simple where rose windows and stained glass were introduced for the first time. This is till date very well imitated in today’s clothing where formal gowns, waist coats and a bride’s white dress, depict simplicity.

Maratha Architecture introduced typical wadas and use of ea r thy ma te r ia l s which rightly showed the i r power and strength. All had to f o l l o w a s a m e dressing style, that includes nathnis, t hush is , j odwas , n a v a a r i a n d kolhapuris, which are now known as nose rings, toe rings, etc.

T rans fo rmat ion , im i ta t ion and abstraction are the three common aspects incorporated in architecture as well as fashion.

13

You afraid?

Afraid, to hear the truth?

That it may be what you do not expect?

That it may seek out,

What you do not want to find?

Why do you stay so quiet?

Where is my childhood gone?

The time when we laughed and played,

Unafraid?

Why have we turned to stone,

The world, turned black and white,

The time, stopped, the wind, halted,

The sun dimmed in silence?

Things have changed.

For the better, or for the worse,

I don't know.

But yes, things have changed.

From the beautiful start,

To the mellow ending,

I watched,

Standing behind invisible glass,

Screaming, calling,

Warning, to you I hearkened,

But I was helpless,

And worn,

But we passed.

Yes we passed, like travelers,

From two points of the cosmos,

We met, and we passed,

For the briefest moment,

We met, and embraced, and shared,

And we passed,

To be on our separate ways,

Till we meet again...

Brandon Gonsalves4th. Yr. B. Arch

Au Courant

From a ray it shone and formed molten thought,

And flowed down the heights of imagination to the sea it sought,

Though on its way it didn't always have its say,

It took the silt and swept the muck away,And as one grows by living in harmony,

It made new friends and made it's many,Routes of blunder and of success,

Meandering smoothly or in rapids of stress,And coz it paid its dues to nature time by

time,Nature helped its way on every bank stayed

by its side,And though it may be years before it

reaches its bay,Or park in the haven of success and

fulfillment; I would say,That it's haven lies within its struggle to reap,

The crop from the seed,To be au courant and never seep.

Tanvi Bhayani Second Yr. B. Arch I.D.

Chance Meeting And Departure

14

I

My God is a Beggar,He begs for alms at every door,

He is shunned by all, everyone abhors,Refrains from wealth,

Runs from all,my God is a vagabond.

My God is an untouchable,He does not know the sin for which he is punished,

Why everyday, a thousand times, his soul is murdered.Toils for everyone, Loved by none.

My God is a stranger to himself.

My God is an outcast,He has no place in today’s world,

He is banished forever, marooned in Heaven,He blesses all,

Prays for them-For a better tomorrow, when they won’t need a God.

My God is an Atheist.He has lost faith in himself,

He searches for signs of His self,Like a fragment lost in space,

No sign, cannot trace.My God has fallen in his own eyes and esteem.

IIGod- Bless You, God. You alone know what you have put up with. You bide your time,

when mankind shall redeem its falsity and reconcile its thoughts. A thousand curses shall be taken back and your blood shall run through these veins. That day,

forgiveness will not be a quality, but a manner. Love shall not be a treasure, but habit.Be patient my Lord. You, who have waited so long for the fruit, shake not the branches for the unripe fruit to fall. We will mature and fall from our ‘glorious’

branches. This false glory we have ever basked in, to our doom. And when we fall, Lord, the fruit shall be sweet. You will see. Our doom awaits...

Shreeamey Phadnis

Second Yr B.Arch

15

The agony of being god

16

He grew up along with a generation,when 'Just do it' was the rage n

his mind was conditioned to believe'Impossible is Nothing' n, oh,

it was such a craze

Everything destined for his tastebudshad to be 'finger lickin' good',

and it was very important to always'stay connected' to be a part of the hood

So, taking a cue, he decided to live,

like the 'king of good times',quite oblivious to the perils of

thinking low, living high

He had 'BRANDED'stamped upon his forehead,

and so he had reason enough to believe,that's how life was meant to be led

Soon he was consumed by the greed

for the Armani's n the Gucci's,and he had all but forgotten

about the sun n the moon

But everything has to come to an end,this is a fact..

thus fate had in store, other plansfor the greedy man

He crumbled, he fell,

he was all but dust in the wind,and hence, I have a moral to tell..

Your life wasn't written

in a brand factory -so don't use it to show it n then throw it..

Instead, I reckon,you should just -

LIVE IT!!! Aditi Galande Second Yr B.Arch I.D.

I Wanted More......Did I Really?

Wat if I’ve chosen a different path,

Something that may now feel wrong......

Why shouldn’t I sing my tune,

and believe in my words, that can blend in a song...

I know its an unusual one,

something people may call 'nuts'......

But its mine....the way I feel right !!!

Wats wrong having a li’ll bit of guts???

I may stumble up a bit,

even hurt myself in the begin.....

But then it would be my own choice,

and I sure will face it without freakin.....

Some are gonna get hurt

lookin at the path I’ve chosen....

Many wouldn't mind cursing me,

leavin me baffled in their worldly illusionz.....

It wont be easy at all

to stand strong on my choices...

I may get pulled back,

by their force, their sayings & their noises....

Still I believe in my 'Beliefs' coz

unlike the rest they still are mine....

They have stood me tall up till now,

and assure me that "All is gonna be FINE"....

a journey...........questioned

17

Mugdha VanarseFifth Yr. B. Arch

She was with her parents,She had come to enroll,

With hair so lovely,Such a beautiful girl.

She was soon,The talk of the college,All the boys liked her,

Of this she had no knowledge

Anticipation in the air,Fresher's (party) in a week,

Who would she ask? Which senior would she seek?

Outside her class,All day I hung around,

To see if she'd come by,And ask me out.

Next day I learnt,She asked someone else,

It turned out to be,My own best friend.

I was so sad,So heart broken,

Betrayed in friendship,My Girl he had stolen.

I was green with envy,What could I do?

All my hopes,Out of the window flew.

I thought over it,Why waste my tears,When I could wait,

For the new batch next year…

Wishes to be Anonymous

College Love

DISCOVERING TRADITIONAL HOUSING FEATURES: A SPATIAL NARRATIVE ON KONKANI HOUSE: CASE OF MURUD,DAPOLI

India! A subcontinent-country of culture and traditions! Tradition consistently

adapts to the changing time and suitably transforms to the changed circumstances.

Tradition therefore survives and remains timeless. People build their habitat responding

to physiographic, regional, social-cultural context and above all because of their

aspiration to construct their own house and live in their own house. The housing pattern,

their needs vary from place to place depending on the differences in cultural and

physical factors. Even the housing layout varies within the same place either with

changing time and transformation of culture or with the prevailing of different cultures

in the same zone. So when I start thinking of Housing Typology in Maharashtra what

strike me are the three main aspects: spatial aspect, cultural aspects and political

aspects that defines the housing form in different places within the same zone or region.

The state of Maharashtra can be categorized into five basic geographical

regions-Konkan, Desh, Khandesh, Marathwada and Vidarbha. With the variations in

physical features as well as the culture, the housing pattern also is no exception to these

differences. Through this article I intend to highlight housing typology and settlement

pattern in the village of Murud in Dapoli District in Konkan region which here after will be

studied as 'Typical Konkani House' and present my experiences that I have

encountered with. The study is confined to climatic and socio-cultural influences on

spatial quality of Konkani house. The beliefs, myth, legends, rituals and daily life style

comes under cultural influences which are shaped due to ones response to the forces

of nature-climatic changes, geology etc- important physical element of the society.

These aspects strongly define the housing component.

OTTI

The climate of Konkan Region is hot and humid & monsoon is heavy. The terrain is hilly

with lush green and rustic landscape. Small groups of settlements commonly known as 'Wadis '

are spread out in undulating pockets of hilly terrain. Being located on undulating terrain, terraces

and pits (khalas) are created which have helped in allocating different activities and

distinguishing the areas from one another. From the house one has overview of all the terraces.

18

Thus the climate, physiography and the daily chores in household divide Konkan house

into five parts: Angan, Padvi, Otti, Majghar, Kitchen, Mala. The sloping terrain provides the facility of

Ar. Medha GokhaleFaculty, S.C.O.A.

creating different terraces which can be earmarked for different outdoor activities which vary from harvesting the fruits, drying, cutting, peeling, making by products or utilizing various parts of trees such as wood, leaves, branches etc. These activities are manually carried out and take place in Angan or Padvi during summer season only. During summer Angan is covered with temperory roofing in the form of interwoven coconut leaves supported on bamboo posts which can be dismantled as per climatic needs. this protects the Padvi from direct heat penetration and acts as buffer or screen from sun radiations and allows the filtered cool air to pass through.

During the monsoon due to heavy rains their entire routine changes, since they have to fold up and closedown

outdoor activities and stay indoors. When the monsoon is over, the house is the only place to be visited for meals since all other

activities including sleeping is performed in Padvi. Thus a particular season demands the activities that need to be

accommodated within the housing layout of the house. These all influence the house design which needs to take care of

outdoor as well as indoor spaces. This principle applies to even group housing where houses are arranged between, behind or

around open spaces or angans in informal manner. Majghar is an inner core area of the house, usually dark and cool,

surrounded by other rooms and treated as multipurpose area meant for private family activities. The small and steep timber

staircase in Majghar leads to Mala (Attic) where food grains are stored. The roof space above Padvi is also treated as extended

space of Majghar for drying of fruits. In case of larger houses, the attic is extended to form a bedroom with projecting bracketed

balconies. The Konkani lifestyle is exceptionally extrovert and doesn't need an open to sky courtyard but rather well protected,

dry, cool room. This gives comfort and the feeling of being well protected. The geometry of the house plan is based on square

modules, measuring from (9*13, 11*15,13*17) arm length. Taking advantage of steep contour houses are raised from road level.

Also pedestrian areas are raised from the road level. The concept was that only people from Brahmin Community were

permitted to access the walkway while lower caste community people were restricted to road level.

Today in the era of globalization and privatization, the advancements in the field of

science and technology have boosted the trend of modernization in architecture as well as

planning, there by totally changing the housing typology, pattern and construction techniques

to be used. As a result vernacular built forms and traditional construction techniques using local

materials are disappearing. Rural housing also has not been exempted from impact of

privatization and developments in construction techniques. The planning principles adopted in

rural areas taking into account local context in terms of climate, environment, and vernacular

construction technique and lastly the culture and tradition of the region are losing its importance

in society and are being forgotten . However observing the growth of the monotonous concrete

jungle around us without considering the context in cities due to impact of inflation in land

values, I feel that it is necessary to revert back to architecture and planning principles adopted in

rural housing which were true social cultural , physical and economic factors in design of housing

pattern is given thereby enhancing the spatial quality. I hope that future architects and planners

would study and take into consideration the relationship of Indian traditions in various context,

their respective settlement patterns and housing layouts and try to bring the same in developing

urban and semi-urban zones, or conserve the built areas subjected to real estate pressure, so

that it is suited to Indian psychology and environment. This will not only revive the local tradition-

culture in respective zones but also save the traditional or vernacular built fabric from the effects

of Globalization!

19

A great opportunity came to me in November 2009 of visiting the residential girls' school of Sri Ramkrishna Sarada Mission in a remote and backward area dominated by many tribal communities. It was a small town called Khonsa at Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. Khonsa is the district head-quarter and about 30 Km. away from the border of Myanmar. The present socio-political unrest condition is a deterrent factor to explore the region in a great extent. With the limited opportunity to observe the tribal culture what I noticed and found remarkably interesting are represented in this article.

Tirap district is sparsely populated with a population of one lakh and density of 42 persons per square kilometer in an extensive forest cover. The region is inhibited by four tribes, namely Nocte, Wanchoo, Tangsa and Singfo, out of which the first two are the main tribes. Most of the tribal settlements are situated at the top of the hills so that they could watch any approaching intruder whom they always considered as enemies. The head-hunt of the enemies was a common savage practice and the skulls were collected and displayed in the chieftain's house. The number of such skulls accounted the power and status of the particular tribe in the region. These tribes were originally nature worshipers.The traditional houses here could be seen made of locally available materials which include bamboo, timber panels, palm leaves and mud. There is almost total absence of stones or even bricks. The houses are in pragmatic reason light-weight, stilted and single storied.

All these houses are constructed of bamboo as the chief material for structure as well as for covering members like walls which are composed of bamboo mat sometimes plastered with mud on both sides. The roof of the houses is the most noticeable feature; it practically covers the side walls to an extent that very little is visible from outside. Traditionally roofs are made of “Toku leaves” or dried palm leaves slit into smaller parts that cover the bamboo roof frame. These roofs last for nearly twenty years as the direct heat from the fire while cooking heat the room and make the leaves insect free. The floor is usually made of bamboo matting or slit bamboo over bamboo frame. Windows are rare features. Light filters through the bamboo trellis but mainly from the doors.

Like most other places the tribes are also changing their lifestyles in terms of modern work culture, education, religious practices, and many more aspects. Many of the recent houses are following the similar typology but modern materials are introduced like grilles, M.S. windows, plywood, GI sheets and timber-panelled floor. Most of the houses are equipped with electricity and piped water supply. But they are still practicing what they have learnt from the experiences from the past to a great extent.

From the land of the rising sun in India Ar. Banani Banerjee

Faculty(S.C.O.A)

In each tribal village the biggest house is owned by the chieftain called as “raja”, other houses are similar but smaller in terms of area. All the traditional houses are built on gentle sloping or moderately flat land and raised one or two meter above the ground on bamboo frames. The main door is approached with a ladder carved on a single piece of timber. The entrance door opens up into the main room that is the largest in the house. One side of it occupies the space for cooking that includes a traditional type oven or now gas oven. The chief's house also accommodates the village meetings in this main room. The male members of the family occupy this room whereas the ladies are provided with separate smaller rooms. Even toilet facility could be seen at the rear side. All the houses are provided with large projecting decks at the front side where apart from sitting the clothes are also dried. The deck is approached from the main room through a dwarf door. The main room featured with displaying the skulls and skeletons of their prey.

20

“At the beginning of the 21st century, architecture can be the most effective instrument for reconstructing the relations between our species and the earth”- Steven Holl

Ar. Steven Holl

Vaishali Ostwal3rd. Yr. B.Arch

21

modernist in motion

2008 BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Arts category, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (2003), the Smithsonian Institution's Cooper Hewitt National Design Award in Architecture (2002).

He has received numerous recognitions. In 1998 Holl was awarded the prestigious Alvar Aalto Medal. In July 2001 Time Magazine named Steven Holl as America's Best Architect, for buildings that satisfy the spirit as well as the eye. The

Q.) After having seen so many generations of architects, do you think we are regressing or do you

think this is a period of transformations for the better?

Ans.) I don't think we are regressing but we are not progressing either. we are still very influenced by

foreign things, which is not necessarily wrong but it doesn't help the Indian identity. Wherever we are

trying to imitate the Indian images we just replicate the old so it does not really make sense. I think

our enquiry is not very clear and lacks a theoretical base.

Q.) How much should we, as architects of today derive from the past? From both Indian and worldwide architectural history.

Ans.) We have a fantastic treasury of historic architecture in India but it should not be replicated, it should be used only to derive

inspiration from. The important thing is to find out the essence of each architecture, what was the regional contribution to each

architecture other than the stylistic influence. We need to go inside the spirit of the structure and capture this spirit in

contemporary sense.

Q.)Do you believe in the philosophy that architecture is a regional practice? Or do you think that an Indian architect can practice in the States or an American architect can respond to the conditions in India?

Ans.)In my opinion an architect can practice anywhere provided that he is willing to understand the deeper meaning

associated with the culture, this is however not to be seen superficially. An Indian architect going outside does not necessarily

have to build buildings in glass and steel only to make it modern. most of them are just stylistic, superficial and this is something

that needs to be a matter of concern.

Q.) If there was a face-off, or we were to compare the different styles, the deconstruction vs vernacular architecture, the past vs the present, what would be your view on that? A lot of people are fascinated by the new glass buildings, by the scale of the structures. What are your thoughts?

Ans.) Yes, the glass structure do seem fascinating, every one is amazed by them but imagine what would happen to a glass

building if it was 45 degrees centigrade outside. There are many recent examples where malls have been closed down

because of high air conditioning loads. The system could have worked had the building been able to cut down the amount of

heat coming in. Glass allows 4 times more heat to pass through, so what would be comfortable in 4 degree centigrade cant be

used everywhere. Our problem is how to provide shade, how to provide coolness. And whether it's a question of material,

whether it's a question of sustainability doesnt work unless we address our basic requirements which could be regional

(climate). Air conditioning cannot solve all problems.

Q.) How long do you think is too long? I hear lots of cries about the industries, about carbon credit being a fallacy. What do you have to say about that?

Ans.) You see in 70% of commercial buildings these days that architects just put up the structures and these structures are

cladded, provided a skin by the commercial organisations, be it glass, plastic, aluminium, etc. this makes the work of the

architect much easier and the building looks neat and people think it's a modern building, but everyone knows it does not make

any sense, and still we are unable to confront this problem. Some architects are trying to look at buildings in their proper

context., but the idea that if a building is contextual, it is not modern is wrong. It is not just steel and glass that makes a building

modern. Being modern is related to many things such as organisation of spaces, facades, etc. I don't have anything against

steel or glass but they are not the only answer to being modern. Even if the glass used is not just acting as the skin of the building, if

it isl well protected from the sun the problems faced are much less and then the glass can be used. providing shade to the

facade is the main problem.

IN CONVERSATION WITH AR. KULBHUSHAN JAIN

22

Q.) What are your views on the Indian skyline?Ans.) This is a phase in which we are trying to build modern buildings. We are trying to come up with parallels in history by trying to replicate historic cities like jaisalmer and fatehpur sikri without understanding that these places were built in times, regions, conditions, climates different from now. So just reconstructing these structures in different places is senseless and also it takes away the authenticity of these buildings. We can, however, take inspiration from these architectural wonders by understanding the deeper meaning associated with the architecture. There are architects trying to make buildings according to how the people feel comfortable, how they use the architecture, not only physically but also mentally.

Q.) In the urban cities we can see how there is an overload of population. People keep migrating to these cities. So according to you what is the solution to the problem of accommodating these people? Do you think increasing the FSI is a solution? Is Mumbai right in trying to go the Shanghai way?Ans.) You can contain as many people as you want by raising the height of the buildings, but what about the infrastructure? what about the roads? What about the traffic? When people come out of these buildings they come out on to the streets, soo what happens then? as you can see, Mumbai is choking, Shanghai is choking because of traffic. By raising the heights of the buildings twice the number of people can be accommodated, but then where do they go? so the answer is first infrastructure. one more solution could be what is happening in London, Paris or New York, where private cars are not used that often and the public transport is used extensively. This too solves the problem of congestion on roads.

Q.) What are the core skills that we as architects should have?Ans.) The courses in India, nowadays have become more skill oriented, training oriented. By putting things together we can communicate via a visual language which is very important for an architect but what about theory? We are still not intellectually equipped to answer questions. We may be very skilled, may draw very good sketches but can we question them as to why we did that? This is something that has to come into our system. Our standard is not rising intellectually, so I think that without compromising on skills and training, we must also look at theory. we study history of a region but never attempt to interpret it. Just mug up a few things, draw a few sketches and think we have done history.

Q.) Do you think that the faculty is the true teacher or do we learn more from the library and seniors?Ans.) Faculty and seniors teach the skills, but frankly how many students go to the library? How many books have they read? I’m running a master’s course in architecture which is called theory and design and we are having problems because there is no reading, the students have not read any books. They’ve only read the minimum course related books. You talk about renaissance, you read about architects and just mug everything but cant tell the difference between the works of two different architects . This is a serious problem which can’t be solved unless we change our reading habits.

Q.) How do you look at books that are being published today?Ans.) There are many books coming in India these days but still all are not theory based books. They talk about architecture through some art historian, archaeologist, etc. They are trying to interpret the true meaning of space. These books have just started coming and I hope it continues.

Q.) What do you think of the sale value of India as a brand?Ans.) India as a brand is a bit exotic. Its nothing intellectual or serious, nobody takes you seriously intellectually. India is an exotic brand, like the Indian curry... It has however, been looked upon as a power to reckon with because of the recent economical development.

Q.) And what about Indian architecture?Ans.) Indian architecture cannot be considered as a brand. The standard of architecture in India is not high enough worldwide. There are barely a few Indian architects whose works are recognised internationally.

Interviewed By Arjun Choudhary 3rd. Yr. B.Arch23

Q.) What was your idea behind “Bricks & Clicks” shopping mall?Ans.) The idea is just a marriage between 'Real' and 'Clicks' shopping infrastructures as that was the first rage for the internet.

The “Bricks” are designed to be creative pieces of architecture that embody the essence of the new age through structures

and spaces that contain products in the most innovative ways. The “Clicks” are designed to be the virtual way through the

internet to experience and buy from this mall.

24

The Journey of Cybertecture Interview With Ar. James Law

Born in Hong Kong and raised in the UK from the age of nine, James Law realized his

talents in architecture when he was just seven years old. A self-confessed gadget freak,

James' fascination with buildings, structures and technology began at an early age. His

favourite past times as a child included making robots and building computers. After

completing a degree in architecture from University College London in 1992, under renowned

visionary architect Peter Cook, James took up his first job as an architect at the firm of

prestigious Japanese architect Itsuko Hasegawa in Tokyo in 1994. Following this foray, James

moved back to Hong Kong in 1997 to take up a position as the Director of Gensler

International, one of the largest design firms in the world, and to focus on technology projects.

thOn 27 September 2009 we met him for the first time and managed to bag his business card with an autograph on it ndwhich on the 2 helped us for a brisk interview with him.

Q.) What was your inspiration to pursue a career in architecture?Ans.) I always had a fascination for buildings and structures and loved to design gadgets, and architecture was one field

where I could use technology and also continue with my fascination for designing.

Q.) What led to the term cybertecture?Ans.) A defining moment in my architectural career occurred in 2000 when I was invited to

design of both architecture and technology of the Dickson Cyber Express Shopping Mall – the

world's first “Bricks & Clicks” retail complex in Hong Kong. This led to the coining of the term

“Cybertecture”, to symbolize a new kind of design which merges technology & architecture

as a future design that brings people to “Live The Future”.

Q.) How do you define cybertecture?Ans.) Cybertecture is the pioneering design concept that aims to bring people together to a

wonderful lifestyle of “Live The Future”. The discipline fuses the worlds of technology with

architecture to present cyber-based solutions integrated within each facet of the built

environment. Cybertecture is the play of hardware (architecture and interiors) and software

(the application of technology) in spatial volume, creating the mechanics that operate as

part of the Cybertecture world's fabric.

Q.) What is the weightage of technology usage in your designs?Ans.) Ah! There's no fixed weightage, it completely depends on the 'opportunity' for its use and the concept we have or we

want to achieve for the project, the philosophy behind it which decides the so-called weightage for technology in the project.

25

Q.) What you have to say about 'The Technosphere'?Ans.) The concept of this iconic building for the Technopark of Dubai is a building which will

reflect the state of Planet Earth in the current and future times. Planet Earth embodies the

very essence of the ecosystem that we live in. This concept takes the planet's ecosystem

and interprets it as a Cybertecture building that mimics the forces of nature to produce a

building that is wonder for people to visit, live and work in, and be a symbol of the power of

Technology. This building, being the iconic symbol of the Technopark will be called

“Technosphere”. The Technosphere sits on the axis of the new city plan of Technopark,

creating a symbolic termination of the axis as if its location is the genesis of the city. From this

point, the city seems to grow, and deliberately, the Technosphere is awesome in its

presence as the nucleus of the city. The Technosphere is the symbol of how man has

become technologists with the ability to create and building with science and technology

at all scales for the better world.

Q.) What was your concept behind Nodal Points™ exclusively not being an architectural design?Ans.) Cybertecture Nodal Points™ is a multi-functional device that can performs networking,

monitoring, information and control functions making a high-tech 21st century urban network

in which cities become truly intelligent. Cybertecture Nodal Points™ is highly flexibility, easy to

deploy, and can be installed in indoor or outdoor environments, and is scalable from single to

thousands of units. Designed as a rugged yet elegant intelligent information tower, the

Cybertecture Nodal Points™ is a scable urban public space network product comprising of IT

systems to deliver both, a monitoring, sensor grid and content to enhance people's

experience of the city. Cybertecture Nodal Points™ enclosure that is easy to deploy, easy

and low maintenance, flexible pgrading and longevity for any environment both outdoor

and indoor use.

Q.) How do you see the architecture in India 20 years down the line? Ans.) There is a revolution and evolution going on among the architects around the world

and nothing is at ease and changes are rapid. So considering Indian architects, progress is

always driven by the opportunities for exhibiting the skills. I really think Indian architects are

the top most architects in the world and you never know, maybe one day they will start

working in other countries apart from India.

Q.) Do you feel Cybertecture should be taken as an independent career option? And should it be taught in colleges around the world?Ans.) Yeah! It is possible and practical to use it, there is nothing wrong in getting a degree in

classical architecture first and then Cybertecture with it as the fundamental remains the

same. In terms of academics, I consider it is more comfortable for now at post graduate

level. We should wait for the time when we want every building to be cybertech and only

then it should be introduced at undergraduate level.

Interviewed ByMishal Shah & Mohd. Ahtesham

3rd Year B.Arch I.D.

Q.) How do you see your journey in your eyes? How did you evolve as an architect and a human being? Did these 2 facts complement each other?

Ans.)I know I grew up as a human being first and then as an architect. I chose to do what interested me

and I stumbled into architecture. I was fortunate enough to find kinds of work which interest me, and that I enjoyed doing it. That made me evolve as a person as I am. First decade and a half of my career was that of teacher and researcher rather tangential to architecture learning social sciences relevant to planning and architecture. Later, I returned to do things which were different from that yet continuing to be a teacher. It helped me to develop as a human architect, perhaps. However, my trajectory of career is in architecture is not normal. I believe that, a lot of things are chance happening, but lot depends on one's attitude to work and life. All professions and all works have their own attractiveness. One has to have an attitude to enjoy what one does. To me, all work has been basically 'serious fun'. Once it stops to be fun, it turns out drudgery, and it can warp one's development as a human as well. I never wanted to be a professional on a safe and beaten track, but never a self-centered maverick just for the heck of it. That defines my work as an architect.

Prof. S.N. Hegde House, Mysore

Q.) How do your philosophies translate into designs?

Ans.) I don't know. Lot of things is given to us without our own conscious knowledge. We don't choose your parents for example or where you are born. And who happens to be your clients and what kind of work environment and design context one is thrown into. Designs emerge out of context. Context does not mean the physical setting, the site, climate, functions, surroundings, the buildings around etc, as commonly thought. Context is defined mostly by unseen parameters like budget, economy, social values, the political and social environment, the industrial and technological set up in which one works etc. When the design develops as a group effort, not just as thought product from a maverick individualist architect alone, metaphors and ideas to shape architecture emerge unselfconsciously. When we limit our parameters, the emerging architecture also will have limited valance. I believe that architecture is not experiential alone, nor just cerebral, it is a product of multivalent process.

MSIL Office Building, Mysore

Q.) How many design processes do you adhere to? Describe them briefly.

I am not sure. Life is a big and complex process. So is architecture meant to support life? Architecture can delight like art, has to be cost effective, and needs to interface with technology and culture. Thus our design ideology and methods attempt to circumscribe innovation in formal, technological and cultural realms. With its multivalent agendas, our architecture has been collaborative -the client, the builders, contractors, the site engineers and the workmen are partners in the process.

Technology, in both its dimensions of material and technique, has been at the core of our work. The attempt has been to be at the cutting edge of contemporary technology albeit in a manner suited to the prevalent local conditions and ecology. Technology has never been an end to itself with us, but a means towards catering to the physical, psychological, fiscal, social and cultural needs of the client and the project.

IN CONVERSATION WITH ar. shashi bhooshan

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Ans.)

A Green Lab in Kuala Lampur

Q.) Recent construction materials and techniques that have a bright future according to you?

Materials and technology are tools to make architecture happen. They keep evolving. They per se do not determine quality of architecture, though some materials could adversely or positively affect well being and environment. The essence of architecture remains same always. To be sensible, sensitive and safe. And to delight.

Q.)What are the important aspects that you will keep in mind while designing in India? Would it be the same for structures outside India?

The idea of India exists only as much as an idea of an Indian culture. So tempting an idea yet so nebulous and foggy. To make architecture it does not help. Architecture, I believe, is tied to a place and also simultaneously one cannot escape the global forces as well. Architecture is primarily a social act and phenomenon. As spatial culture it mirrors the cultural trends. A “conscious” architecture needs to be 'located' in a place and its culture and history. The global forces of today also cannot be discounted and need to be addressed and mended. This should inform our work. Two aspects are seen as prime foci:

1. Architecture as interpretation of the cultural text that makes the place. That text is not static but evolving.

2. Architecture as construction. This means concerns of 'green': impact of the place on buildings and the buildings on the place and its ecology, which also means response to climate.

This principle will work anywhere in India or elsewhere.

Q.)Comment on LEED and Green Buildings.

Q.) What are the core skills that we as students should develop as future architects?

Ans.)Skill to discern depth of content from surface sheen. Skill to question any fashion trends, past or present. Honesty to work. Skill to work in a team and to lead. Skill to synthesize ideas given by others. Skill to analyze an idea and convert it into a building. Skill to continue learning. An open, not a closed, mind. Other technical skills are secondary and that can be learned any time.

I have liked the works of many in different ways. I value any work which has serious thought behind. One may disagree. But one has to accept sincerity and deep thoughts as great virtues. Many, including my colleagues, my clients and my students influence my work. I am 'influenceable even now.

Q.)Who are the architects who have influenced you and to what degree?

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Ans.)

Ans.)

Ans.)

Ans.) There is a lot of controversy on the subject. Green building idea as much as it is a concern for ecology and energy consciousness goes it is valid and important premise, but if it becomes an apology to support architecture which fails in all other aspects and use it as a support argument for poor design, it cannot be accepted as architecture. They could be just 'green buildings'. LEED like many other rating systems make sense as much as its parameters. The parameters of rating systems are many times insensitive to real local issues and priorities. They could be misused for promoting certain business interest alone. They also expect formalizing and professionalizing building industry way beyond many societies can accept and accommodate. Thus they become tools for elites to feel less guilty and to project a new champion social status. This makes little impact on the large scale really. That is why the controversies arise. An inclusive system which can address the issue from a more holistic point of view, economically, politically and socially is lacking. Interviewed By

Sana Nasikwala2nd. Year B.Arch

What is history? I would say So now looking back at the past ten years, a flash of memories blow through my mind... And its hard to choose the most exhilarating one...!

Sometimes I excelled in my academic designs, sometimes the murals that adorned my walls for exhibitions & NASA pumped up my adrenaline!But reflecting on it now, the sheer force of hard work, the physical stretch & the mental strain are the most intoxicating part of the 10 years.....And for the years to come, because this is my tradition.

I, S.C.O.A., believe in pushing the gear to the topmost notch- to work for the purest form of pleasure. This has, is & always will be my mantra.

A decade has gone by &but I feel as young as ever.I’ve had endless shades on my walls, but never the shade of stagnancy.

And there lies the beauty of it- change,

time...

Its been a decade!!

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A year in the life of SCOA is highly eventful; not to mention creative , variant and oh...ya, architecturally enhanced.

The chronicles of SCOA, well-deserved, I might add, are now documented at the occasion of our ten year anniversary. The work of our talented batches of the preceding years have been captured and thrown into organization through our magazine, “ABHIVYAKTI”. All the mayhem, masti &the despair of the faculty are within these covers; so sit back, relax & enjoy! Oh & I know the decor is kind of formal so we decided to spice the writing up a tad!

Welcome to Sinhgad College Of Architecture

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The Raw Beginnings...

Our College... Do you recognise it?

But, of course, all beginnings are bare and the first batch worked as a catalyst to induce the architectural current! Our academic journey began; and the trend continues; with sheets, visiting faculty, lectures, models, submissions (criticisms, no extensions, all-nighters, 3/10 marks and dark circles).However, we couldn’t stay monotonous forever & decided to welcome the new 1st years with the Fresher’s party (about time!). To check if they deserved the admission they got (the SCOA factor is not so easy to find you know) we asked them to put up a performance! Boy did they prove themselves!!

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Activities in class..!

Studio in session Freshers Party

Lets start at the beginning - the stone ages, the very first batch ...er... well, lets say the dawn of our institution. I must say those were dark times - bare walls, no murals, empty panels... Oh so lonely! The s h e e r i n d e s c r i b a b l e horror!!

Our principal, Dr.Milind Telang, quickly spotted the m i s s i n g l i n k - E X T R A CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES! Our monsoon trip and the c e l e b r a t i o n o f G u r u P u r n i m a . W e a l s o inculcated practical work in basic design while studying anthropometry and Exotic and multi-cultural tribes.

Various workshops & guest lecturers broaden our horizon of knowledge. Our workshops range from pottery to bamboo & also includes training students in building arches, vaults & other structural members.

Even our external faculty helps us out with the oodles of wisdom & experience they possess.W e t h u s r e c e i v e h a n d s - o n e x p e r i e n c e a n d l i m i t l e s s knowledge.

Prof. Doug Patterson from Vancouver,Canada.

Pottery workshop Manav Joshi

Bamboo Construction Workshop’ by Ar. Prashant Gatkal, Ar. Rahul Dabir & Ar. Malvi.

The External Source (of knowledge..!)

Origami workshop Vishwas Deval

Field Trip to Japanese Garden, Fourth Year with Faculty Ar. Kalpana Hadap.

“WINGS” Workshop Ar. Rahul Rawat.

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Workshop on Abstraction with Ar. Anant Raje

Thoughts on Architecture and design and education by Ar. B.V.Doshi

Our faculty shows even more enthusiasm than us students during the sports week! We also have student v/s teacher matches in indoor sports- no points for guessing who wins there!!

Dexterity test & fun!!

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The first term and concludes with the annual study tour where we visit National and International sites and study the regional architecture and the emanating culture. Of course, a lot of fun and wacky photography go hand in hand. We come back in the second term all enthusiastic for NASA. We endeavor our college to be one of the best and have worked hard on trophy sheets, drafting, surveying & NASA culturals.

January is the month we get down to GROUND level activities. Indoor and out door sports await us and provide for the much needed physical exertion that we get once a year.

Hard work & nights out!!

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We can see our college get all decked up as we get closer to the exhibition. There’s activity from 8 in the morning to sometimes even the whole night! We sit together seniors, juniors et al & see to it that our guests get to experience our college in all its glory.

We celebrate famous architects & their structures & endeavor to replicate them through miniature models. We also use the styles of veteran architects & incorporate their principles in innovative compositions of 3D designs.

Murals brighten up the walls & give deeper meaning to ours being an architectural college.

As we approach the cultural season, we build up the mood with the cultural days. We have seen a number of innovative costume themes including hippie day, traditional day, mismatch day.

Dressing up at its weirdest best!

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The Exhibit

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We christened our exhibi t ion ‘ Expressions’ because of our aim of adhering to a theme. Over the years, we have had themes such as Pune Development, Amalgamation, The 5 elements of Nature & we “express” our work according to these themes.

Our exhibition-’Expressions’ gives us a chance to display our work to the rest of our fellow architecture students & have our work critically examined by professionals & teachers. Our parents also get to see what their children get up to during the year!

Ar. Kalhan Matto viewing panels during “EXPRESSIONS 2007-2008"

Ar. Jaisim from Banglore during “EXPRESSIONS 2006-2007"

Exhibition in Bal Gandharva “EX 2008-2009"

PRESSIONS

CULTURALS!! Need I say more? But since it's a magazine I better. It's the most exciting part of the year where we get to brush up on our other skills & Challenge the other colleges to achieve their creative best.

In our inter- class culturals, we are expected to perform a mime, a group dance, a fashion show & a band per class; sticking to versatile themes. For example: Bling, Gra f f i t i , Rena i s sance, Twi l ight , S t reets 2050, Shadow.

Extraaaaa curricular Activities!!!

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As we conclude with the extra curricular activities, we reach a point where we realize that we are in college to study architecture. Then we have to go all out and race with time to be able to turn in our submissions on time or the more trodden path- just before the exam day.... Sleepless nights don't help as much as we thought... .And we resort to cheating... Ahem.. Anyway, we appear before the jury with tense faces and end up passing (sigh!) because rigorous studies or not, we are a creative bunch & we never let the field down! Hope you enjoyed our tribute to our very own S.C.O.A. , adieu!

Last but NOT the Least.

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Ar. Sardesia during NIASA Thesis Jury

Final Year Jury

Sampada Kokhale during Design Jury

Basic Design jury

......and the 10th year

Dance workshop association of other arts with architecture-Mandakini Trivedi

Workshop conducted by Er. Amol Dongre and Yatin Mokashi on MOODS OF MUSIC IN ARCHITECTURE.

NASA 1st Council Meet National Level

Tensile StructuAr. Vinish Des

res workshopai

This, the 10th year, started with the NATA exams. Memory drawing, 2D & 3D compositions, aesthetic sensitivity & mental imagery.

The 1st years enjoyed various activities in the orientation week- paper workshops, candle- making, calligraphy, face painting, sketching.

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In Conclusion....

Site visit to hiranandani (for fourth year students for their housing project)

Third year B. Arch visit to Amby Valley, Lonavala.

DIGITAL DESIGN Joint studio at CEPT Ahmedabad

Lecture on Critical System Architecture and Complexity by Anthony Burke, Australia.

Study Trip to Auroville,Pondichery Second & Third years.

The study trips & site visits organized this year were to more renowned places than usual as is apparent by the photographs. We even had international guests to enhance our knowledge of drawing software.

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