The Madras Craft Foundation and DakshinaChitra in partnership with INCITE, a division of InFORM Architects Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore hosted a seminar on April 4th around the broad theme “Is there an Architectural Movement in Chennai?” The seminar was accompanied by an exhibition prepared by INCITE on 17 major non-residential projects in Bangalore . Margret Boethig, the German architect coordinating the plans and execution of the Tamilnadu Government’s Assembly project spoke on the processes her firm goes through in its conceptualization of a major project like the Assembly project. The speakers Satya Prakash Varanasi, Sriram Ganapathy, Benny Kuriakose, , Suhasini & Dharmesh gave an overview of Madras architectural trends as well as the perimeters as perceived by the architects They looked at designing townships for the less affluent and use of materials in traditional and non traditional ways.
An Interdisciplinary Exchange:
Design Dialogue explored the concept of theater and spaces for the performing arts and Visual Exhibition in Chennai. The idea was to explore all the facets surrounding performance, visual arts, theater, visitors and arts in the city..
Participants and the main speakers were Mitran Devanesan , theatre personality Sabina Narayanan, architect who did major public projects in Chennai, Timeri Murari, writer and columnist, Benny Kuriakose, Architect, Vincent D’Souza Editor, Mylapore Times and Adyar Times and Jyotsna Joshi Architect who did the IT corridor, Chennai
India has a rich heritage
in architecture. There is, however, a major shift in focus
from traditional methods and forms to industrial and synthetic
materials which follow international trends in building
and form. They are replacing India's own distinct philosophy
and systems of building. We have become followers and not
creators. Not enough thought has been given to the consequences
of these trends to the nation and its housing and architectural
needs. Architectural students today need to be well informed
about India's traditional vernaculars and methods of building
and materials in order to reflect and innovate solutions
which are pertinent to India and which may create trends
internationally in the future.
Architects with a sound knowledge
of materials and conservation techniques are necessary to
conserve even the most important buildings and neighborhoods
representing India's architectural heritage. Reuse of heritage
buildings is almost non existent in India, but is a highly
developed field elsewhere in the world employing thousands
of talented architects.
With the intention of creating
a better awareness and understanding of traditional vernaculars,
their materials, techniques and conservation DakshinaChitra
has planned a series of workshops.
DakshinaChitra
invites applications from architectural students and young
architects for our orientation workshops on Vernacular Architecture
of South India, Traditional Materials and Building Techniques,
and Introduction to Conservation Techniques. The workshops
will be taught by our commited and experienced team of architects,
civil engineers and outside experts.
Our hands-on workshops are
based on the research, fieldwork, conservation and construction
of vernacular architecture carried out by our foundation
over the last 15 years. The workshops can be taken separately
or as a series. Each workshop will be five days at a cost
of Rs. 1500 all inclusive of stay, food and materials. The
schedule for 2005 is given below.
Workshop
titles / fees/ other details
