The lives of building materials are not fixed conditions, but rather part of a continually evolving enterprise. The Romans pilfered construction materials from older edifices to build new monuments, just as medieval populations later pillaged Roman monuments for their own building blocks. Given the profound material changes that architecture experiences over time, futurist Steward Brandt has suggested that we define architecture not as “the art of building,” but rather as “the design-science of the life of buildings.”
Chinese architect Wang Shu, this year’s winner of the Pritzker Prize, exemplifies a profound understanding of the shifting material flows in the constructed environment. Shu and his partner Lu Wenyu of Amateur Architecture Studio have created a series of bold, visually arresting projects that demonstrate the reuse of repurposed building materials in provocative ways. The 2012 Pritzker jury describes the outcome of Shu’s intense collaborations with construction workers as having “an element of unpredictability, which in his case, gives the buildings a freshness and spontaneity.”
An example is seen in the highly textured cladding of the Ningbo Historical Museum, which was inspired by wapan tiling—a construction practice that evolved as a method for building walls rapidly using available materials in a region subject to frequent typhoons. For the museum, Shu specified the reuse of various types of bricks and tiles that remained after the city government razed dozens of villages to make way for a new central business district. He gave masons a large degree of freedom in laying the dissimilar blocks. The rich detail provided by the hand-laid tiles complements the hulking mass of the museum, and the randomly placed, various-sized apertures embrace the wapan approach.
In today’s rapidly developing China, the image of brick and tile rubble left over from hastily razed structures is unfortunately an all-too-common sight. The recent demolition of the house of prominent architects Liang Sicheng and his wife Lin Huiyin in Beijing, for example, is indicative of the rapid and careless destruction of Chinese architectural heritage. “There’s so much demolition,” said Yan Lianke, the notable Chinese author who was recently evicted from his home to make way for new building. “If all the demolitions were reported, maybe there wouldn’t be enough space in all the newspapers, television and radio stations in China.”
Shu adamantly denounces the replacement of important historic structures with the typical cheap developments that fill the contemporary Chinese landscape, declaring that “we must not demolish history in order to develop.” Yet Shu’s extraordinary works owe much of their notoriety to their use of architecture spoils generated by the destruction he condemns.
In this way, Shu’s buildings are as unsettling as they are stimulating, for they remind us of China’s reckless extermination of its own architectural legacy at the same time that they inspire us with their clever use of repurposed materials. The walls of the Ningbo Historical Museum thus serve as a haunting reminder of the past, encapsulating the bones of vanished villages in a monument that pays its respects to history, at the same time that it has come to supersede it.
The city of Ahmedabad is home to many prominent figures from across the globe. So much so, that it has become a melting pot of global cultures, ideologies and perceptions. But what brings them all together is their love for this city. And this is exactly what the Ahmedabad International Arts Festiva ...
The city of Ahmedabad is home to many prominent figures from across the globe. So much so, that it has become a melting pot of global cultures, ideologies and perceptions. But what brings them all together is their love for this city. And this is exactly what the Ahmedabad International Arts Festival aims at achieving.
With its 'Citizens for the city' event held at AlphaOne mall, the who's who of Ahmedabad joined in for a discussion, followed by an artistic expression of their perception of the city. Keeping with the 'making sacred' theme of this year's festival, each individual gave their views on the words 'Ahmedabad', 'sacred' and 'divine' and combined the three to form their vision of what makes this city. The likes of environmentalist Madhu Menon, poet and playwright Chinu Modi, singer Viraj Amar, art critic S D Desai, Alliance Francaise director Philippe Martin, filmmaker Abhishek Jain and photographer Parmanand Dalwadi were among those who participated in the event. "Ahmedabad to me is invigorating and energetic, and I see a great mix of Islamic, Hindu and Jain architecture along with a blend of cultures. This is what I put on my canvas," said social worker Tomo Kawane.
S D Desai recited a poem titled 'My City' and Philippe Martin put down a verse by Sufi poet Bulleh Shah.
At 'Sacred Cloths', another event of the festival conducted by Paulomi Lalbhai at Parijat Studio in Shahibaug, Amdavadis got to try their hand at block printing taught by local craftsmen.
AIAF contact details:Cell: 08108010450; Email: aiaffestival@gmail.com / www.aiaf.in
The housing scheme for slum rehabilitation under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), being implemented at various places in the city, has been delayed due to several issues engulfing the project.
The central government had approved Rs 325 crorefor the project, of which ...
The housing scheme for slum rehabilitation under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), being implemented at various places in the city, has been delayed due to several issues engulfing the project.
The central government had approved Rs 325 crorefor the project, of which it had contributed 50%. The state and NMC had together contributed the remaining 20% and 30% respecively. The NMC had spent Rs 18 crore for getting the projects' plan made by a private company. Till April 2012, the civic body spent around Rs 127 crore, with an additional Rs 13 crore spent this financial year. It is now also planning to take aloan for Rs 100crore.
Many of the projects in the scheme that were to be completed from 2008-2010 are still underway, even as an NGO has accused the civic body and the contractor of siphoning funds, which has allegedly resulted in the schemes' incompletion.
On September 12, beneficiaries of Bhimwadi, Ganjamal, took a morcha to the NMC's headquarters demanding that basic facilities be provided at their transit camp. While officials visited the camp in the evening on that day, the slum's dwellers say that nothing was done following the visit. Residents at the camp also blamed contractors for not paying attention to their needs as well as that of the project.
Given the project's poor pace, a 'Calling Attention' motion is to be moved at the next civic general body meeting.
Sanjay Patkar of Pawar-Patkar Constructions, the contractor in charge of the housing scheme, said, "We are constructing housing units for 6,000 tenants in three packages with 2,000 units in each package. Of these 6,000 units, 3,660 are nearing completion. In each of the 25 buildings, 80 tenants will be accommodated."
Citing reasons for the delays in completion, Patkar said that their firm got the work order on May 15, 2008 with the date of completion being May 14, 2010. The bhoomipoojan was done on July 14, 2008 but due to the monsoon, work started in October. The contractor said that for 42 of the buildings work could not begin due to land-related problems.
"The land was not suitable for construction so the NMC gave us another work order from August 27, 2009 to February 26, 2010. The deadline for main building was May 14, 2010 but the new work order for excavation came on February 26, 2010. Costs for cement and steel had increased by then," Patkar said.
According to the contractor there is no escalation clause in the tender, which, according to government norms, should be included. "A resolution on this was passed in the general body on January 1, 2012 and the deadline was extended to December 31, 2013. It is a rule that within 90 days of handing over the work, the corporation should hand over the site for construction purposes or else the contractor has the right to reject the work and finalize the bill."
Officials of the NMC say that the clause has always been included. A senior engineer of the PWD said, "We do give the difference of cost in steel and asphalt and we are also drawing an attention motion in the general body over the issue."
In the Nashik East division, six buildings with 80 flats each and 460 tenements were proposed. Since land acquisition problems stalled the project only a single building is now being constructed. The beneficiaries of Bhimwadi, Ganjamal, were shifted to the transit camp some months ago and even at then there was some MSEDCL problem due to which the contractor claims to have paid Rs 5.9 lakh in pending bills.
"We got the place for the transit camp on April 4, 2011, that is after the deadline for completion. In Satpur, again there were land problems and we got the site only 8 months ago. We have started the constructing the plinth. We were given the work on March 18, 2010 and the deadline was March 17, 2010. In Gangapur, the work started on November 11, 2011 but on November 21, 2011, people stopped the work. Now the plinth is under-way for three buildings," said Patkar.
The project at the social forestry's land opposite Motiwala College was stopped after environment activists opposed it. The project was then shifted to Samangaon on December 22, 2011 with the original deadline wbeing March 2, 2011. In this case, too, the deadline was extended to December 31, 2013. In Panchavati, 1120 housing units are to be constructed.
Officials of the PWD agree that land problems and locating beneficiaries did consume time but said that added that soon one or two projects would be completed and soon, beneficiaries would be handed over the completed houses.
An NMC official said that in Chunchale, only finishing work was pending and infrastructural work like creating a shopping market, maternity home and electric sub-stations have begun. It is being planned as a mini township here. In Wadala, while the process for handing over units to beneficiaries is underway, the project behind Sai Palace is nearing completion. In Bhimwadi, work has just began while in Shivajiwadi, work is nearing completion, an official said.
But even after constructions are complete, beneficiaries will not get the houses immediately until a society is formed and ground floors handed over to the handwith a lot drawn for the remaining beneficiaries.
The renovation of Ripon Buildings will be completed by the end of April when the heritage structure will be seen in its traditional pure white, Chennai corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan has said.
The historic building, next to the brick-red Victoria Public Hall and Chennai Central Station, ...
The renovation of Ripon Buildings will be completed by the end of April when the heritage structure will be seen in its traditional pure white, Chennai corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan has said.
The historic building, next to the brick-red Victoria Public Hall and Chennai Central Station, has been drawing curious stares from passersby on EVR Periyar Salai because the exterior of the western wing is an off-white colour. Officials immediately sought to reassure people that this was just a primary coat. "This is the colour of the limestone mixture, mixed with ground gall nut and jaggery. It will be painted pure white," said the commissioner.
Work on the western wing, which began in end-2009, is expected to be completed in two weeks. The rooms of the mayor and deputy mayor were completed four months ago, allowing workers to start on the Eastern wing on the second floor. The offices of the commissioner and the three deputy commissioners, now on the first floor, are likely to shift to the western wing in 2-3 weeks. "We have finished 50% of the work on two of the floors," said Karthikeyan.
Plastering and grouting of the exterior are likely to be halted during the rains but workers will have a chance to focus on the interior, said an official. "Lime plastering may dissolve if exposed to water before it sets, but we can work on the ornamentation and wiring of the inner walls," said an official.
External refurbishing of four large offices in the western wing, likely to be occupied by the commissioners, is complete, say officials. "We have shuttered and repainted the walls, floors and doors were completely replaced with fresh wood and polished. Each room has four light fittings that will each have three CFL bulbs. AC vents too have been fitted," said a worker.
The commissioner has insisted the external wiring structure remain same to retain the heritage look. "The electric wiring will be replaced but not changed," he said. To improve the water connections, all toilets on the second floor have been demolished, he added.
The two circular stairways and short wooden passageway in a corner of the western wing, an evidence of the Indo-Sarcenic architecture, will be replaced, said a worker. "On the first floor the wood structures will be replaced. The design will remain the same," said a construction supervisor.
The 7.7 crore renovation of the 98-year-old building, sanctioned under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, faced a number of delays. Strengthening limestone walls by plastering and shuttering was one cause, say officials.
The government has given green signal to the members of Parliament to use funds provided under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development scheme (MPLAD) scheme for construction of railway halt stations, reports agency.
"According to the modified guidelines, funds from MPLAD scheme can be used ...
The government has given green signal to the members of Parliament to use funds provided under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development scheme (MPLAD) scheme for construction of railway halt stations, reports agency.
"According to the modified guidelines, funds from MPLAD scheme can be used for construction of railway halt station to facilitate the local community for easy access to railways and boarding or de-boarding from the train," Srikant Kumar Jena, Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation said.
Under MPLAD, each MP has the choice to suggest to the district collector works to the tune of Rs 5 crore per annumto be taken up in his or her constituency. As per the new guidelines, if railways are also contributing for such activities, the accounts of expenditure will be strictly maintained separately for both MPLADS and Railways to avoid any duplication in accounting, the report added.
Construction of building for Dr DC Pavate Institute of Mathematical Sciences (First Phase) at Karnataka university campus Dharwad
Last Date of Issue 21-06-2012
Last Date of Submission 02-07-2012
Notice No. KUD/tender/kw-4/2012-13
Organization Details: Karnataka University, Dharwad, Pin:580 ...
Construction of building for Dr DC Pavate Institute of Mathematical Sciences (First Phase) at Karnataka university campus Dharwad
Last Date of Issue 21-06-2012
Last Date of Submission 02-07-2012
For Design an construction of twin tunnel between shalimar bagh and netaji subhash place stations by shield TBM Twin box tunnel and underground ramp on shakurpur side of netaji subhash place stations and the two stations nemely shalimar bagh underground and netaji subhash place ( Semi underground) i ...
For Design an construction of twin tunnel between shalimar bagh and netaji subhash place stations by shield TBM Twin box tunnel and underground ramp on shakurpur side of netaji subhash place stations and the two stations nemely shalimar bagh underground and netaji subhash place ( Semi underground) including architectural finishing of these two stations on Mukundpur Yamuna Vihar corrider ( Line-7) of Phase- III od Delhi MBTS
Last Date of Submission 20-07-2012 15:00:00
Notice No. DMRC/20/III-065/2012
Organization Details DELHI METRO RAIL CORPORATION LIMITED
5th Floor, Metro Bhawan, Fire Brigade Lane,
Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place,
New Delhi
Pin:01
Following the imposition of minimum alternate tax and global economic uncertainties, Ansal SEZ Projects has approached the government seeking to surrender its special economic zone (SEZ) in Gurgaon. The request for denotification of the SEZ will be placed before the Board of Approval (BoA), which is ...
Following the imposition of minimum alternate tax and global economic uncertainties, Ansal SEZ Projects has approached the government seeking to surrender its special economic zone (SEZ) in Gurgaon. The request for denotification of the SEZ will be placed before the Board of Approval (BoA), which is scheduled to meet on May 22.
"The developer (Ansal) has requested for denotification of the (IT/ITeS) SEZ due to economic meltdown, lack of demand andimposition of minimum alternate tax (MAT) and dividend distribution tax (DDT)," the BoA agenda said.
The BoA, headed by Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar, will also consider the requests of developers like Uttam Galva Steels,Mumbai SEZ Ltd and Mahindra and Mahindra which have sought more time to execute their projects. In addition, another 10 developers have asked for more time for their projects.
The Board has approved 46 cases of de-notification since December 2008 to March 15 this year.
An approximate of 400 road over bridges (ROBs), road under bridges (RUBs) and Limited Height Subways (LHSs) will be constructed by the North Central Railway (NCR) zone. This will involve removal of crossing points connecting road and rail traffic on the level-crossings. This act has been taken up to ...
An approximate of 400 road over bridges (ROBs), road under bridges (RUBs) and Limited Height Subways (LHSs) will be constructed by the North Central Railway (NCR) zone. This will involve removal of crossing points connecting road and rail traffic on the level-crossings. This act has been taken up to lessen accidents and improve the train movement said railway officials. The Chief Public Relations Officer of NCR, Sandeep Mathur added that this should be completed within three to four years.
The NCR zone, which consists of Allahabad, Jhansi and Agra divisions, is counted to be amongst the most engaging zone; for the most part it is the Howrah-Delhi route. This route extends from Mughal Sarai (in Chandauli district near Varanasi) to Delhi, at the same time Jhansi and Agra divisions extend from Bina (in Madhya Pradesh) to Palwal (in Haryana). Accordingly Mathur stated that “For this year, only nominal amounts have been sanctioned to prepare the surveys, drawings and feasibility reports.” In alllikelihood more funds will be added because last year, the zone got seven ROBs, four RUBs and three LHSs. This will help the train to move without any disruptions and add to the reliability and regularity of trains.
There are over 650 manned level crossings across the zone, along with more than 450 unmanned level crossings. “But so far, most of the major crossings will be covered under these 391 structures. A large number of crossings are also on the branch lines. But there, neither the road traffic nor the rail traffic is too heavy,” said an NCR official.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has proposed tougher norms for acquiring land for industrial use, as it finalised the new Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill. In a report due to be tabled in the House on 17 May proposes a more stringent definition of 'pub ...
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has proposed tougher norms for acquiring land for industrial use, as it finalised the new Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill. In a report due to be tabled in the House on 17 May proposes a more stringent definition of 'public purpose' to ensure that the government does not acquire land for private businesses.
According to the report, the government should not acquire any land for infrastructure and projects executed under public-private partnerships.
The committee has suggested that land acquisition for any purpose should be brought under the purview of the proposed legislation, which currently exempts land acquired under 16 Acts listed in the Fourth Schedule from its ambit.
The 16 Acts include the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958; the Atomic Energy Act, 1962; the Cantonments Act, 2006; the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978; the National Highways Act, 1956; the SEZ Act, 2005; the Railways Act, 1989 and the Works of Defence Act, 1903.
The committee has said that any conflicting legislation should be altered to align with its proposed legislation. It has unanimously proposed that the exemption should not be permitted as most of the land acquisition takes place in the mining, power and other infrastructure sectors, and would find exemption under one or the other legislationslisted in the Fourth Schedule.
The committee is of the opinion that the government shouldn't acquire any land that will be used 'for profit'. Since the government can acquire land citing 'public purpose' under prevailing norms, a tighter definition of this clause is required, the committee has proposed, arguing that all economic development can be explained away as public purpose.
If the bill is accepted, it will spell major setback to the projects proposed on PPP models and for industrial development in the country. The industry has been lobbying for an expansion of the clause of 'public purpose'. CII has said that 'public purpose' should "be adequately expanded to empower the state to acquire land not only for infrastructure or defence purposes but also for developing land for potential use by private sector-led industrial, commercial or institutional purposes, creating wealth and employment".
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (Mhupa) is framing an affordable housing policy, which is likely to be finalised in two months. The new policy would attract the developers and meet the shortage of around 25 million houses in India.
Earlier, the Union Budget had announ ...
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (Mhupa) is framing an affordable housing policy, which is likely to be finalised in two months. The new policy would attract the developers and meet the shortage of around 25 million houses in India.
Earlier, the Union Budget had announced access to external commercial borrowing (ECB) for affordable housing, however, the industry wasn't excited due to low margins in this category. The policy will include increasing the floor space index (external commercial borrowing) and easing of density norms. Compulsory parking lot norms will also be relaxed.
"We realise that ECB will work only if affordable housing is attractive. Therefore, we are coming up with this policy as a package, along with ECB, in the segment on the linesof what the Rajasthan government has done. The policy will have provision for interest subsidy and capital subsidy to builders," said an official at Mhupa.
Besides, the new housing policy will also say that government land will be auctioned and given to those developers who promise to build the highest number of units for the economically weaker section (EWS) and for the low income group (LIG). The ministry defines affordable housing at 300 sq ft for EWS, 500 sq ft for LIG and 600-1,200 sq ft for the middle income group (MIG).
Also, a mechanism to get clearances will be simplified, in place of the present 20-25 separate clearances.
The lives of building materials are not fixed conditions, but rather part of a continually evolving enterprise. The Romans pilfered construction materials from older edifices to build new monuments, just as medieval populations later pillaged Roman monuments for their own building blocks. Given the profound material changes that architecture experiences over time, futurist Steward Brandt has suggested that we define architecture not as “the art of building,” but rather as “the design-science of the life of buildings.”
The city of Ahmedabad is home to many prominent figures from across the globe. So much so, that it has become a melting pot of global cultures, ideologies and perceptions. But what brings them all together is their love for this city. And this is exactly what the Ahmedabad International Arts Festiva ... 
The housing scheme for slum rehabilitation under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), being implemented at various places in the city, has been delayed due to several issues engulfing the project.
The central government had approved Rs 325 crorefor the project, of which ... 
The renovation of Ripon Buildings will be completed by the end of April when the heritage structure will be seen in its traditional pure white, Chennai corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan has said.
The historic building, next to the brick-red Victoria Public Hall and Chennai Central Station, ... 
The government has given green signal to the members of Parliament to use funds provided under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development scheme (MPLAD) scheme for construction of railway halt stations, reports agency.
"According to the modified guidelines, funds from MPLAD scheme can be used ... 
Construction of building for Dr DC Pavate Institute of Mathematical Sciences (First Phase) at Karnataka university campus Dharwad
Last Date of Issue 21-06-2012
Last Date of Submission 02-07-2012
Notice No. KUD/tender/kw-4/2012-13
Organization Details: Karnataka University, Dharwad, Pin:580 ... 
For Design an construction of twin tunnel between shalimar bagh and netaji subhash place stations by shield TBM Twin box tunnel and underground ramp on shakurpur side of netaji subhash place stations and the two stations nemely shalimar bagh underground and netaji subhash place ( Semi underground) i ... 
Following the imposition of minimum alternate tax and global economic uncertainties, Ansal SEZ Projects has approached the government seeking to surrender its special economic zone (SEZ) in Gurgaon. The request for denotification of the SEZ will be placed before the Board of Approval (BoA), which is ... 
An approximate of 400 road over bridges (ROBs), road under bridges (RUBs) and Limited Height Subways (LHSs) will be constructed by the North Central Railway (NCR) zone. This will involve removal of crossing points connecting road and rail traffic on the level-crossings. This act has been taken up to ... 
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has proposed tougher norms for acquiring land for industrial use, as it finalised the new Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill. In a report due to be tabled in the House on 17 May proposes a more stringent definition of 'pub ... 
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (Mhupa) is framing an affordable housing policy, which is likely to be finalised in two months. The new policy would attract the developers and meet the shortage of around 25 million houses in India.
Earlier, the Union Budget had announ ... 
The Technical University of Graz, Faculty of Architecture and IE School of Architecture & Design, Ma ...
Together, these illuminate the complex, ongoing interaction in Scolarias work between architecture a ...
The most drastic impact of this on the environment is the increased amount of post-consumption waste ...
Rogers Marvel Architects & Peter Walker and Partners will redesign Constitution Gardens east of the ...
The National Design Awards were conceived by the Smithsonianas Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum
