About the Collaborative studio

The Southern Asia, region south of the Himalayan range, is a culturally diverse yet synonymous region. When Edward Said brought forward the discourse of Orientalism in 1978, he pointed out that the Orient, the East, still continues to visit its past, present and future through an imperialist or colonial lens. Simply put, East apes and imitates the West and rarely engages in systems which are native to their region. Interestingly this continues even after decades of independent and democratic opportunities. Our mainstream practices predominantly follow western trends, knowing well that one global size cannot fit locALL. 

This is a call to shatter these lenses and look afresh at our growth and development capabilities. The theme for this collaboration is People, Spaces, and Architecture. Ethos | ACEDGE has invited colleges of Architecture from Bangladesh, India - Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad, Nepal,Sri Lanka and Bhutan to curate a joint collaborative e-studio. 
Colleges, once onboard, would choose and develop their focus/ brief for their collaboration. 

The medium of collaboration

  • Ideation and discussion

    The regional mentors, Sanjay Mohe, Marina Tabassum, Palinda Kannangara, Dorji Yangki, and Sarosh Pradhan, will record presentations on their design approach that students and faculty can view before the studio begins. During the studio, we will have weekly webinars, presentations by faculty and students and panel discussions on different aspects of teaching and mentoring in design.

  • Theme

    'People, spaces and Architecture' is the broad theme of the studio. However, each college will choose their studio typology and topic . The college may interpret it as universal access to a nearby heritage precinct or Design of community library or even a housing for all in semi-urban context.

  • Dates and Duration

    The Studio will run as a pedagogical exchange of ideas between colleges from 20 Jan -29 Feb 2020. We will have one weekly session of discussion and presentation with the mentors namely, Prof Mathur, and architects - Sanjay Mohe, Marina Tabassum, Palinda Kannangara, Dorji Yangki, and Sarosh Pradhan. Please register soon to schedule this in your academic calendar.

Studio Catalyst

The studio will be moderated by Prof Manoj Mathur

Prof Manoj Mathur

Studio Catalyst

Prof Manoj Mathur is a well known figure in the Architectural fraternity. He has been the Head of the Department at Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi. His special academic interests include Architectural Design Methods, History of Architecture, Design for Children, Industrialized Mass Housing, Conservation of Industrial Heritage, Reforms in Architectural Education. He is also the Trustee at MAAN India ( Modern Asian Architecture Network, India chapter) and as a practicing architect, he has a diverse portfolio of projects in public-oriented architecture including commercial, education, health-care, group housing, infrastructure and entertainment all over India.

Regional Mentors

Ar. Sanjay Mohe

Mentor

Sanjay Mohe graduated from Sir J. J. College of Architecture in 1976 and went on to work with the likes of Ar. Charles Correa. Mindspace, the brain child of Vauki Prakash, Suryanarayanan and Sanjay Mohe was established in 2004 and is currently run by Suryanarayanan, Medappa and Mohe. Mindspace strives towards a more sustainable approach towards Architecture and their ideals revolve around the five elements of nature. Climate and context are the two main factors around which their designs are centered. Instead of aping the west and designing glass blocks unsuitable for India’s climate, one needs to act with common sense while constructing spaces and design spaces responsive to local climes.

Ar. Marina Tabassum

Mentor

A Bangladeshi Architect, who won the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2016 for the design of Bait-ur-Rouf Mosque in Dhaka in Bangladesh. She is currently the principal architect of MTA. Marina Tabassum graduated from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 1995. The same year, she co-founded URBANA, an architecture practice based in Dhaka. In 2005, Tabassum ended her ten-year partnership in URBANA to establish MTA (Marina Tabassum Architects) and thus began a journey in the quest to establish a language of architecture that is contemporary to the world yet rooted to the place. She is also the Director of Academic Program at the Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements since 2015. She has conducted design studios and lectures in many universities across the globe. She has also curated exhibitions and directed architecture symposia in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Ar.Palinda Kannangara

Mentor

A renowned Sri Lankan Architect with a background in Mathematics and Architecture. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) with a specialization in Mathematics. His primary calling, however, was elsewhere. He joined the study course conducted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects and obtained his architectural charter in 2004. As a student Palinda trained under Sri Lankan modernist architect Anura Rantavibhushana, who had worked with Geoffrey Bawa for 16 years. Palinda established independent practice in 2005. The studio is now located in Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka.

Ar. Sarosh Pradhan

Mentor

An Artist-Architect who believes in holistic living. Awarded the JK Foundations ‘Young Architect of the Year’ in Bangalore 2004, is the Editor-in-Chief of SPACES Nepalese Architecture, Art and Design journal. He has won several National Design Competitions such as Tewa,  Sainbu Community Centre and the Memorial in the US Embassy in Nepal. Currentlly his projects such as Brakka Village in Manang Valley in the Annapurna region are few of his interesting and challenging approaches to build environmentally sustainable projects. He has an added inner dimension and interest for Poetry, Yoga, Music, Meditation and Trekking along with the appreciation for the rich cultural heritage and environment of the Himalayan Region.

What to expect from the Studio

ACEDGE would help facilitate this 6-8 week long collaboration digitally. We would be the logistical partners for the collaboration and help the colleges with the following.

  • We will facilitate Online meeting rooms for pedagogical discourses and discussion, it will be like an interactive WEBINAR

  • Regional mentors from the field/practice will guide and recommend

  • Facilitate Weekly discussions on progress

  • Broadcast panel discussions between experts, mentors to all colleges at their auditorium.

  • Host online exhibition of students work

Is your college interested in participating in the next cycle?

Show your Interest now

Register now