Nurturing Environment Conscious Architects: TSAP

  “The architect needs to learn to see, and to open his eyes because there is always a lesson to learn from the streets.”- Santiago Calatrava Architecture comprises of buildings, streets, cities … all spaces created by mankind. Travelling is an opportunity to experience these in real-time. Architects are trained to observe & perceive their surroundings from the time we begin our journey as students. We are trained to assimilate information from the surroundings, we do this when we visit any place. The creative juices need stimuli which are provided by travelling. The mind is like an umbrella – it functions best when open. - Walter Gropius   Architecture studies teach us to observe, engage & analyse people. Travelling is the best way to accomplish this. Learning’s from the travels can be varied; in this blog I have tried to put them in a manner to explain the experience as best as possible. ...

                   BACKGROUND:   Long before, when City of Mumbai was not Metropolis, it was known as Bombay derived from Portuguese word Bombaim ; (City of Good bay). Many people from diverse background came and settle in the city.in search of Work and Business. Later, British began to expand old walls of the city and started settlement to  newer region of then suburbs of Bombay. It was essential for the government, to provide basic amenities such as Water and Drainage in newer region.                        But in the geographical challenging areas, it was impossible to lay pipeline for water. It came on the shoulder of community of Bishtis (Water Carrier) to supply water to such drought prone area.                       Bhishtis are soon-to-be-vanished ...

The ocean is the greatest and the most obvious feature of the earth's surface. Approximately, about 70% of its surface is covered by water. These oceans are in turn home to numerous living species and a magnificent portion of the earth's biodiversity resides here. Not only does it constitute a massive percentage of the habitable space on our planet but also contains about the largest animals ever to have lived on Earth along with billions of the tiniest species coexisting. Healthy oceans are essential for the existence of mankind too as we rely on energy, food, and water but it is we who are causing it tremendous damage and harm. The health of the world's oceans at a global level and the marine life living under it is depleting hastily as a result of excessive human activities and occupations like fishing, pollution of the waterbodies, etc. Conservation, experimentation, and exhibitions of marine habitats have been taking place for over four centuries now. Historically,...

Namaste and a joyful morning to everyone in this august gathering! Let me begin with a small Sanskrit verse from the Maha Upanishad:  आयाम बंधुरायं नेती गणना लघुचेतसाम्। उदारचåरतानां तुवसुधैव कु टुÌबकम्॥  The English translation: “Only small men discriminate saying: One is a relative; the other is a stranger. For those who live magnanimously the entire world constitutes but a family.” Vasudhaiva kutumbhakam is a social philosophy emanating from a spiritual understanding that The World of humanity is made of one life energy. It stresses the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion. It reminds us that we are all part of one global community, and that what we do to others we do to ourselves.  Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world as a family, seeks to overcome the ‘us-vs-them’ mentality, which is at the root of all conflict, differences, inequities and violence. The universe is diverse but there is interconnectedness and ha...

"When you fold, the ritual and the act of creation is more important than the final result. When your hands are busy, your heart is serene" - Akira Yoshizawa Have you ever tried making something out of the paper in your childhood? I am sure, most of you would have tried your hands in making paper boats with simple folds of paper. Such brief episodes with paper made us feel mindful & brought us sheer joy . One such art form associated with the paper is Origami. The slow & precise act of paper fold, carefully made with presence of mind can aid relaxation, concentration, bring hand to eye coordination & sharpen our memory , which is the true remedy of our times today. This favourite pastime of Japanese people has now reached globally & has been the source of inspiration to many. Used as part of Japanese etiquette of Gift giving & paper adornments, Origami had been used as token of good luck to share with loved ones. Fig: Origami practiced by Japanese Women...