7 Oct : In the recent years there have been radical, even revolutionary changes in the design of new buildings. The Modernist Architecture has given way to Postmodernism which is stylistic movement in its own right. The rise of this new contemporary architecture is partly the result of changing trends, but it can also be attributed to the availability of constantly advancing technology.
The architecture which Le Corbusier and his team gave to independent India about 60 years ago has undergone a radical change because of the changing lifestyles and times. This is prevalent both in India as well as in the entire world. We need to assess the reasons behind this and need to plan for the future needs. Computer aided design and innovative building techniques, together with the use of new building materials, have allowed architects to experiment in ways that were not previously possible.
To discuss the significance of modern architecture in India and in the world and to celebrate World Architecture Day, an International conference on “Towards a Global Architecture” will be held on 11th October, 2009 at Govt. Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, Chandigarh.
The conference will be organised jointly by the Embassy of Mexico in India, Indian Institute of Architects, Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter and Saakaar Foundation, Chandigarh.
Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, Hon’ble Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources shall be the Chief Guest.
The welcome address shall be delivered by Architect Parveen Chopra. The keynote address shall be delivered by architect Surinder Bahga. Mr Bahga, Chairman of Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter of Indian Institute of Architects and Principal architect of Saakaar Foundation adds, “The modern architecture in India has also gone through a tremendous change. It is time to evaluate, understand and analyse the changes that have happened in the recent years. Since the modern architecture is at the threshold of change, it is high time to evaluate its successes and failures”.
The world renowned architects from Mexico, Italy and South Africa shall be delivering their lectures. There shall be three technical sessions. First Speaker, Architect Eduardo Terrazas, an architect from Mexico shall be dwelling on his own projects. He was a Consultant for the urban design of Karachi and Islamabad, as well as for low income housing projects in India and has been instrumental in the urban planning of the new capital of Tanzania in Dodoma. He has broad national and international experience in a variety of disciplines: architecture, urbanism, graphic design and art exhibitions.
Second Speaker, Prof Gerald Steyn from Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa shall give his presentation on “The Indian impacts on East-African Architecture”. He shall relate the architecture of South Africa with the architecture of Indian Subcontinent and how we can learn to interpret and unfold vernacular urban settings and building types to create a more appropriate and predictable living environment.
The third presentation shall be by Dr Stefano Boeri, an Architect from Milan. He is a well known Architect from Italy and currently involved with many international projects. He was Editor-in Chief of International Architectural magazine, DOMUS and ABITARE.
The technical sessions shall be chaired by architect Jit Kumar Gupta, Director, College of Architecture; Dr SS Bhatti, former Principal Chandigarh College of Architecture and Renu Saigal, former Chief Architect of Chandigarh.
Dr Prabhjot Kaur and Architect Archana Chaudhary shall be the panelists. They shall discuss the context of modern architecture with reference to modern architecture in India.
The vote of thanks shall be presented by Architect Sanjay Goel, a practicing architect from Ludhiana and Executive Member of Chandigarh Punjab Chapter of IIA.