Matt Groening, from “School is Hell”, 1987.
In a curated series on archival texts, views, discussions and comments on the state of architecture and design education in India, Sen Kapadia contributes the first to provoke further thought as he reminisces about the importance of a diverse learning environment against the restrictive curriculum-based thinking.
Originally featured in [IN] SIDE, Volume 02, Issue 02.
With three decades of prolific experience, Matra Architects led by Verendra Wakhloo is a practice based out of Delhi. Verendra Wakhloo writes about architecture as an ever-evolving paradigm – as an institution of values and exploration that is ideologically oriented to many identities and forces. He offers an insight into the ethos, relationships and principles that are essential in conceptualisation and realisation of the ecology of architecture, practice and people of Matra.
DESIGN AS A JOURNEY
“Architecture is not created by one, it is by many. And not only dealt by many, but constructed by many, also thought through by many. An idea emerges through a process, a dialogue which we open up,” acknowledges Verendra Wakhloo. A dialogue that Matra Architects has been trying to initiate for three decades under his guidance.
Continue reading “THE WAY I SEE”: VERENDRA WAKHLOOOriginally featured in [IN]SIDE, Volume 02, Issue 02.
Hiren Patel, Principal and Director, Hiren Patel Architects writes about an approach to architecture where the question of thinking in detail is central to the idea of a project and the work reaffirms this belief when it endures inhabitation over a large span of time.
DESIGN
For me, designing a building is like creating a painting on a canvas. Growing up, I always had an inclination for the arts. As a student, architecture opened up a whole new way of looking at art and design. This, I think, in some way influenced my approach towards architecture.
Continue reading HIREN PATEL ON ‘MAKING’The Takshila Lecture on Architecture and Society is delivered by an eminent professional / academician that addresses the growing disparity between the practice and pedagogy of Architecture in India, and the realities of our social, cultural and economic contexts. The lecture and the following dialogue aim to challenge the status-quo with a conviction that an open and honest conversation on the state of practice will instigate positive change.
The 2023 Takshila Lecture on Architecture and Society was delivered by Rabindra Vasavada at the Bangalore International Centre on October 02nd, 2023.
Abstract:
Architect and Society:
• Architect as a part of a community, culture and context, consciousness for culture and traditions.
• Training to be an architect. Humanities, technology, arts, and sciences, practical training.
• Profession of an architect, aspects of profession (ethics, codes, conditions of engagement etc) dealing with clients, contractors, consultant, legalities, and be a team leader.
Society and Architect
• Society and its context and its communities’ traditional and contextual understanding.
• Society’s understanding and appreciation of built environment as a reflection of culture and its rootedness in ecology and context.
• Society’s attitude to living and evolving respecting the traditional values which remain constant in the scenario of the progress and technological advancement.
Professional Relationships
Traditional relationship: Always based on expertise required for building tasks. Master Builder, a traditionally trained expert in all arts and its skills, who along with his team, designs and coordinates for the patrons, the entire task of executing a building. He commands full knowledge about lifestyles, and all other physical sciences related to build-environment.
Contemporary relationship: Architect by training and education. No more a vocationally trained master builder. More or less similar role but various aspects of buildings are segregated and detailed by various specialist and coordinated by architects to execute the project. Architect working as a member of team.
Important Questions
Where lays the beginnings?
Shelter (self-help) to Domestic buildings (master builders-architect) to settlement architecture (architects, environmentalists) to cities (power, planning)? All combined.
Family (individual, identity) to communities (collective agreements and characteristics) to society (Power, culture and traditions) to civilisations (multi-cultural)? Nationhood.
What are the evolutionary factors?
Ecological contexts, climate, natural resources, industrial productions.
Population and economic factors of occupations, resource generation.
Cultural traditions and Power in social organisation, administration and controls.
Advancement in resource availability, technology and sciences to meet growing needs.
Sense of optimisation and structure of administration and governance for liveability.
Text: Ranjit Wagh
Images: Kerry Hill Architects / Wikimedia Commons/ As Attributed
Edited by: Mel Patrick Kasingsing
Five years ago, a former work colleague, Rossitza Iordanova, shared a photo of the late Australian architect Kerry Hill on Facebook: “The Man and his Models; Desaru, ITC, Kyoto”.
It was a face and place I once knew.
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