Archive for July, 2009
Height Restrictions Removed: A Boom for Skyscrapers ?
Scorpiogenius makes a compelling arguement for “Taller, Greener, Better”. The Civil Aviation Ministry and the Airport Authority of India have trimmed down the height restrictions for constructions around our airports. This allows for buildings to sprout higher into the skies above our cities, almost double to what was permitted until yesterday. I expect Kerala to [...]
Bumpy Rides: Redesigning Indian Transport
Darpana Sawant-Athale writes on transportation modes and the lack of ergonomics there in. I slipped forward along with the seat, when the car braked. Then I adjusted myself, pushed the seat back in place and sat into an upright position, until the brakes were pressed again. By the end of the journey, I had a [...]
Remembering the Howard Roark of India: Nari Gandhi
It was not his surname that prompted Nari Gandhi to wear khadi. He embraced the fabric because it was self-reliant, natural and allowed easy breathing. Just like the 30-odd structures built by a man who is often called the Howard Roark of India. Gandhi–one of the four Indians to have appretinced under the legendary American [...]
Could India Become a Solar Leader?
By JAMES KANTER for The New York Times India may be gearing to turn itself into the global leader in solar power generation, a sign that major developing nations could become renewable energy hubs to rival Germany and the United States. Called the National Solar Mission, the Indian plan outlines a target for 20,000 megawatts [...]
A Monograph on the works of Nari Gandhi
We are very happy to inform you about the soon to be published Monograph on one of India’s foremost architects Nari Gandhi. There is a personal connection here for us at UAI. The author of the monograph is Prof. H, Masud Taj my professor at Rizvi College of Architecture from 1992 to 1997, and a [...]
Moshe Safdie to under take beautification of Golden Temple surroundings
CHANDIGARH: Internationally acclaimed US based architect Moshe Safdie, who had successfully accomplished the most prestigious project of Khalsa Heritage Centre (KHC), Sri Anandpur Sahib would soon undertake the beautification of the surroundings of Golden Temple (Sri Harimandir Sahib) along with the corridor project (Galiara) around the holy Golden Temple at Amritsar. A decision to this [...]
As Mumbai Spills Over, Floodwater Creeps Closer
By VIKAS BAJAJ for the New York Times. MUMBAI, India — As this city prepared recently to inaugurate a shiny new bridge that officials promise will ease Mumbai’s chronic traffic jams, Dilip da Cunha was peering at the underbelly of the city’s waterways and drainage systems. Taking two visitors on a tour of the busy [...]
India in My Rear-View Mirror
By PETER WONACOTT in the Wall Street Journal In China’s Southwest Sichuan province, the road to enlightenment is a superhighway. In about 90 minutes, the highway zips travelers 180 kilometers from the provincial capital of Chengdu to the former farming hamlet of Leshan, home to a sitting Buddha that is more than 230-feet tall and [...]
Indian heritage architecture is ‘nobody’s baby’
By Phil Hazlewood MUMBAI (AFP) — In the days of the British Raj, Watson’s Hotel in Bombay was the place to stay and be seen, its sweeping staircases, plush bars, restaurants and grand ballroom a symbol of colonial splendour. But with the British long gone from India and the 150-room hotel closed, renamed and [...]
Celebrating Heritage
A successful exploration of the distinctly Indianised Art Deco buildings of Bombay. Bombay Deco — by the now-famous duo of Sharada Dwivedi and Rahul Mehrotra — is one more collaborative offering on the architectural wonders of Bombay/ Mumbai. The pair is known for consistently bringing out books on Bombay landmarks such as the High Court, [...]
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