A Design Competition to create an Architectural and Engineering Symbol for Contemporary India
The Concept
Since time immemorial Symbols have been the stamps of civilisations—a commemoration of humankind’s endeavours and progress shaped with creativity. Symbolically, architecture has been and remains the largest signature statement to mark the kinetics of a nation—capturing the soul and pulse of its people as it transgresses through eras of evolution. For long, architects and engineers have strived to shape the character and aspirations of a country as architectural Symbols—omnipresent and omnipotent in their continued ability to inspire us as much now as in the time that they were built. In India, as well, legacies of excellence have been marked in the past through architectural idioms like the Taj Mahal or the Gateway of India, which have stood as symbols of their time; regaling stories of past glories.
But India, today, has a different story to tell. Poised to be one of the largest economic, intellectual and cultural powers of the future, India is a nation on the move. From manpower to market and media to the mind, contemporary India is an emblem of a dynamic nation in a global playground that will only rise in influence in the coming years. But in India itself, there seems to be no architectural expression of that flux. There is a complete absence of the evocation that is contemporary. What shape do the billion ambitions of its people take? How does one capture the movement that is and will be India? Where is the ‘Symbol’ that IS contemporary India?
We at IA&B (Indian Architect & Builder), India’s premier architecture magazine, and Tata Structura, India’s leading brand in steel hollow sections, feel that this is the ideal time to capture the momentum that defines the India of today. It is with that objective that we invited the architects and engineers of India to partake of their responsibility in moulding a vision that is consistent for India now and in the future.
The Objective and Opportunity
It is the intent of ‘NOTIONS OF A NATION’, a progressive design competition, to give contemporary India its due architectural and engineering ‘Symbol’—an embodiment that acknowledges, recognises and celebrates its very spirit. As a design competition dedicated to the nation, it hopes to create an imprint that would grow to be the ‘Symbol’ for India’s presence and inspire people to establish its mark on the world.
The competition extends its intent to being more than a championship of ideas and concepts. While the two runners-up will be conferred a cash prize of INR 1,00,000/- each, the winner will be awarded a prize money of INR 5,00,000/- and…
the opportunity to have their ‘Symbol’ realised and built as the ‘NOTIONS OF A NATION’!
‘NOTIONS OF INDIA’
A Design Competition to create an Architectural and Engineering Symbol for Contemporary India
The Milestones
| Announcement and Call for Entries |
: |
26th January, 2007 |
| Submission of Entries |
: |
16th April, 2007 |
| Regional Jury Review (West) |
: |
27th April, 2007 |
| Regional Jury Review (East) |
: |
4th May, 2007 |
| Regional Jury Review (South) |
: |
9th May, 2007 |
| Regional Jury Review (North) |
: |
14th May, 2007 |
| Travelling Exhibition in Kolkata |
: |
10th – 11th June, 2007 |
| Travelling Exhibition in Bengaluru |
: |
25th – 27th June, 2007 |
| Travelling Exhibition in Delhi |
: |
5th – 7th July, 2007 |
| Technical Jury |
: |
7th July, 2007 |
| Master Jury |
: |
14th July, 2007 |
| Announcement of the Winner |
: |
15th August, 2007 |
| Unveiling of the Winning ‘Symbol’ |
: |
27th September, 2007 at the AEC WORLD EXPO |
‘NOTIONS OF INDIA’
A Design Competition to create an Architectural and Engineering Symbol for Contemporary India
The Regional Jury Reviews
The second stage of the competition saw four juries, one each in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Delhi, critically review the entries that came from all across India. Each Regional Jury Review was structured to include experts in architecture and engineering and professionals with artistic experience and local community development.
While the ‘Symbol’ was largely evaluated on the basis of inspiring India as a whole, the individual interpretations of the participants were assessed judiciously in terms of creativity, vision and impact. It was after this thorough analysis that the twelve finalists have been identified by the 17 jury members.
ABOUT THE JURY MEMBERS
Regional Jury Review (West)
Dhruva Mistry was born in Kanjari, Gujarat, India, in 1957 and studied sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts, MS University of Baroda (1974-79), graduating with distinction and a gold medal. In 2001, he was awarded an Honorary CBE. The rich imagery and narrative content of Indian art, the highly developed skills of a dedicated sculptor working in a culture not his own and an independence of mind have all contributed to Dhruva Mistry's success.
- KAMAL N. HADKER, Founder & MD - Sterling Engineering Consultancy Services
Born in 1941, Kamal Hadker completed his Bachelor of Engineering Degree from the University of Mumbai in 1963. His innovative approach to design and constant search for efficient structural solutions secured him an excellent reputation. He has distinguished himself in the design of some of the country's most prominent landmarks, which include the Bombay Stock Exchange and the ICICI Building in Mumbai, MRF Headquarters in Chennai and the Indira Gandhi Stadium and IFCI Building in Delhi.
- PROF. NEELKANTH CHHAYA, Academician
Presently Director of School of Architecture (CEPT) Ahmedabad, Prof.Chhaya is a strong academician, and thinker, who has consistently demonstrated his ability to make diverse readings and connections that have influenced the overall outlook of the realm of architecture and design.
- SANJAY G. UBALE, Secretary (Special Projects) - Government of Maharashtra
Sanjay G. Ubale, an IAS officer of the 1985 cadre, has been passionately committed to the cause of transforming the fabric of the city of Mumbai since his association with the Government of Maharashtra. As Secretary of Special Projects, he has been consistent in displaying an exemplary vision for various aspects, ranging from private-public partnerships to long-terms investments, which will constitute better infrastructure and civil opportunities for the people of the city.
Regional Jury Review (East)
DR. AJANTA SEN, International Director – Solar Project, Industrial Design Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB)
Dr. Ajanta Sen is the International Director of Solar Project, a networking technology experimentation with cross-cultural collaborative learning environments for children, and a joint initiative between IITB and design universities in UK. She has a Ph.D in Development Planning from IITB, where she is based as a visiting faculty, researcher and consultant to industry. Some of her noteworthy (and ongoing) projects are with the MicroSoft Corporation, Yahoo Research, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) amongst others. Dr. Sen has lectured in universities across the world besides serving as master juror on international design competitions and having numerous papers to her credit.
- HARSHAVARDHAN NEOTIA, Chairman – Ambuja Realty Group
An alumnus of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata and Harvard Business School, USA, Harshavardhan Neotia is a noted industrialist whose repertoire as an entrepreneur spans various companies from Ambuja Cement Eastern Limited to Bengal Ambuja Housing Development Ltd. He was awarded the Padmashri by the Indian government for his outstanding initiatives in forging public-private partnerships for development of social housing and is known for his interests in the development of West Bengal through signature projects such as Swabhumi Heritage Plaza and City Centre amongst others.
- PRABIR KUMAR MITRA, Principal Architect – P. Mitra
Graduating as an engineer from India in 1954, Prabir Mitra qualified as an architect through the Royal Institute of British Architects. He has been practicing in India for nearly four decades now and is merited with building some of the most famous architectural landmarks in and around Kolkata, which include Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd., Ffort Radisson, Serena Spa and Utsa.
- SUDARSHAN DHEER, CEO - Graphic Communication Concepts
Sudarshan Dheer is the well-known, prolific and outstanding graphic designer from India. He established his own design workshop Graphic Communication Concepts in 1973 to specialise in corporate communication projects on: Corporate Identity Programmes, Corporate Literature, Corporate Packaging and Signage Systems. Sudarshan Dheer is the editor of the book ‘Symbols, Logos and Trademarks: 1,500 Outstanding Designs from India’. He has several international and national awards for his work and achievements
Regional Jury Review (South)
- EDGAR DEMELLO, Principal Architect – EDA (Bangalore)
Edgar Demello set up his own practice in 1980, after having worked with Prof. Wilhelm Holzbauer in Amsterdam and Prof. Carl Auboeck in Vienna. While his work in residential, institutional and commercial architecture has evolved around the idea of city as the most important 'tool' for generating and articulating design ideas, Edgar is also involved as an academician as a studio guide at architectural schools in Bangalore and Mysore.
- RAMU KATAKAM, Architect- Author
Ramu Katakam has been practicing architecture in India for the past thirty years and has worked on a number of heritage projects, including the restoration of the Golkonda fort in the Deccan. Widely travelled, he has now retired from the profession to pursue research on traditional Indian architecture. His book ‘Glimpses of Architecture in Kerala’ beautifully captures the physical and cultural connotations of vernacular design in his typical narrative style
- SWATI RAMANATHAN, Urban Planner and Founder - Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy
A postgraduate from Pratt Institute (New York), Swati Ramanathan is a design professional with work experience in the United States (Van Summern Architecture, Planning and Design) and the United Kingdom (Gensler and Associates). She is the co-founder of Janaagraha, a Bangalore-based organisation, which is committed to increasing citizen participation in local government. Swati is also a member of the State Urban Agenda for Rajasthan (SUARAJ), working on initiatives in land reform, spatial data centre for Rajasthan, and the development of the masterplan for the city of Jaipur.
- UTTAM JAIN, Architect and Planner - M/S Uttam C Jain
Renowned architect and planner Uttam C. Jain, born in 1934, Malwara, Rajasthan, is a recipient of the IIA Baburao Mhatre Gold Medal 1991, the highest honour conferred by the Indian Institute of Architects for lifetime achievement in architecture. He has designed many significant buildings throughout his professional career including Bandodkar's Memorial, Panaji, Goa and Oberoi Bogmalo Beach Resort in Goa both were built in 1977. For several years, he was the editor of the Journal of the Indian Institute of Architects.
Regional Jury Review (North)
- DHANANJAY DAKE, Principal Designer – Construction Catalysers
In India designer Dhananjay Dake, who heads the firm of Construction Catalysers in Pune, is doing some of the most innovative structural engineering work. From tensile to special steel structures, Dhananjay’s repertoire includes projects such as the Atria and Irala Shopping Malls in Mumbai and the Infosys office in Pune, amongst others.
- JATIN DAS, Artist and Sculptor
One of the most prolific figurative painters, Jatin Das is also a graphic artist, sculptor, muralist and a poet. With works that can be found in numerous public and private collections in India and abroad, he has been participating in all-important national and international art exhibitions. In 1995, he completed his biggest sculpture in steel, a 30 ft. open-air piece, for the Bhilai Steel Plant.
- PROF. K. T. RAVINDRAN, Academician and Urban Planner
K.T. Ravindran is Professor of Urban Design at the School of Planning and Architecture in Delhi. He is active in many public forums, has written numerous articles and books and is a vital and regular contributor on urban issues in Delhi.
- PROF. RAVI POOVAIAH, Head – Industrial Design Centre, Indian Institute of Technology (Mumbai)
Currently heading the Industrial Design Centre, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai, Prof. Ravi Poovaiah has backgrounds in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design and Graphic Arts Education having studied respectively at the IITs at Chennai and Mumbai and at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), USA. He has consulted major industry leaders in India such as Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Bharat Electronics Limited, Siemens India, and Motorola, amongst others.
- ROMI KHOSLA, Principal Architect – Romi Khosla Design Studio
A graduate in Economics from Cambridge University and Architecture from the Architectural Association, London, Romi Khosla has designed a number of large institutional complexes as well as small community-based rural projects. His work includes developmental and revitalisation projects for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Central Asia, Tibet, and Egypt, and for the Government of India in the Himalayan belt.
