VELLORE: In a step aimed at showcasing Vellore Fort and its rich heritage to the world, a group of architecture experts and students of architecture have come together on a single platform.
Taking part at an international design workshop-Vertical Studio on Spatial Exploration of Experiential and Generative Geometries as Follies in the Urban Context at VIT University on Wednesday, Jaffer A.A. Khan, adjunct professor of architecture, VIT University, said through the workshop, young architects would understand and develop an architectural pedagogy in the context of the Fort and search for present day urban problems through the understanding of one’s cultural roots.
The workshop is being organised by V-SPARC School of Architecture of VIT University in collaboration with Vellore Lab Auckland.
“Vellore Fort is one of the best forts in the country. We have students from different parts of India attending the workshop and we are giving them an exposure to Vellore. The primary reason is to make the Fort an UNESCO World Heritage monument. Once it goes to the world stage, a lot of people will visit the Fort and tourism will develop,” he said.
Noting that there was certain heritage lost in the Fort, he recalled how a children’s park existed on the north-east side of the Fort at least 30 years ago. “This park has vanished. We are trying to develop pavilions for children and public to enable them to understand the heritage of the town,” he said.
The idea was to develop three or four pavilions outside the Fort on the north-east corner using temporary materials such as bamboos. The pavilions could be on heritage, climate change and tour talk to discuss issues concerning the town, Mr. Khan said.
As part of this, Vellore Lab, an international initiative operating out of Vellore and Auckland in New Zealand, has been launched. “VIT university’s V-SPARC School of Architecture will be the base infrastructure for the lab. We are planning to assemble scholars from all over the world every year. The lab will develop projects on Vellore,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, VIT University’s chancellor G. Viswanathan said that the importance of architecture was increasing day after day. “The demand for architects is also going up,” he said.
He expressed concern about housing and shortage of land. “This is an important subject but is being relegated to the background. If agricultural lands are occupied, what will happen to the need for food? Agricultural lands are shrinking year after year,” he said.
He pointed out that countries like China have evolved a plan and have asked builders to go vertically. “We have no such plans in India. Architects should find solutions,” he said.
Fleur Palmer from Auckland University of Technology and N. Devi Prasad, director of V-SPARC spoke.
