Want a glimpse of the photographic exhibits of the world’s best architectural marvels from 65 countries, and of the ‘The Chapel’ of Vietnam that was adjudged Building of the Year-2014?
Greenply Industries, in association with Hyderabad Design Forum, has initiated a ‘Design Tour’ bringing 350 winning projects of the World Architecture Festival (WAF) of 2014 under one umbrella.
“This is part of our 16-city tour in India, inspirational to aspiring and practising architects and interior designers. This will help them observe the highly individualistic design trends across the world,” said Vinit Kumar Tiwari, country head, Greenply Industries.
Most architects gathered at the venue opined that the idea of having a post-event design tour in Bengaluru was a well-timed one as the city is witnessing a burgeoning of architects owing to its vibrant realty scene. “This could set the beginning for creating a legacy of international standard architecture,” said Rajesh Mittal, MD, Greenply.
It’s like opening a window to international architecture, says architect Kiran Mistry of Edifice Consultants. “Think global and act local has been our policy. What we learn from observing this international showcase of WAF projects is that contextualising design serves as the norm for creativity,” says Mr. Mistry.
Vasanth K, Bhat of Acharya’s NRV School of Architecture observes, “I wish Indian architects take a leaf from Far Eastern countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and Iran where designs using local material as bamboo and scrap wood have been recognised.”
Mr. Bhat, though, seems to think that such a design tour would have had more footfalls as students and architects would have gained more. “Here it gets lost as the idea of making students see and absorb gets thinner.”
However, Architect Leena Kumar of Kumar Consultants says, “At a time when urban landscape seems shoddy and we are gripped by IT design parameters, the WAF design tour is the best exposure to variety in thoughtful design. It is a conversation with mind, design, climate, location, culture and materials used. The enquiry leads to growth in such initiatives provided by Greenply.”
The Design Tour of WAF winner projects will be on display till May 23 at the Builders NGV Club, Koramangala, National Games Housing Complex.
