Symposium for budding architects

CHENNAI: As Tamil Nadu is undergoing a transition phase with massive infrastructure projects set to dot the state’s landscape, architects are planning to nurture budding architects through a three-day symposium to be held here from April 6. The symposium, which will be held in Chennai Trade Centre, will create enhanced awareness about the professional design education and creative learning, said Prof Solomon Vedamuthu, former academic council member of Anna University and director of McGan’s Ooty School of Architecture.
Addressing a press conference along with Syed Zakir Ahmed, Chairman of ZAK Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, Solomon said the symposium will focus on ‘The Wold of Facades’ and ‘Professional Design Education’.
He said that Lifetime Achievement Awards will also be presented at the symposium. “The Council of Architecture, New Delhi, is constituting a special jury to select the Lifetime Achievement awardees for their outstanding contribution to architecture either in practice or in education,” he added.
The symposium will also have design competition for architecture students from all colleges, he added.
Jaiprakash Gandhi, correspondent and advisor of McGan’s Ooty School of Architecture, said that there was a huge demand for architects and civil engineers due to the growth in urban infrastructure. He also said the symposium will try to bridge the gap between curriculum and architecture.
To a query on why the architects are aping the western architecture when India has a rich architectural heritage, the director in-charge of National Institute of Advanced Studies in Architecture Jayashree Deshpande said the change will happen slowly as people will realise the feasibility of adopting to Indian design rather than aping the west. She also said the Green building code will soon become mandatory.

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