Saturday 03 December 2011

Re-imaging the waterfront: design ideas competition

on Saturday 03 December 2011 - 14:45:52 | by diya
River front design ideas competition Innovative design ideas for New York City's East River Waterfront esplanade that would integrate it with its larger urban context are called upon by this interesting urban/landscape design competition organised by CIVITAS. The design should attempt to rethink the pedestrian experience along the waterfront area and create a rich and spatially exciting zone of urban activity and integration, a place of escape and relaxation for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Architects, landscape architects, urban planners, students, artists- anyone can participate.

Deadlines:
Submission period ends: January 15 2012
Winners announced: Late February 2012

Awards
First prize – $5,000
Second prize – $3,000
Third prize – $2,000
Honourable mentions (5) – $100 each

Fees: $50 per entry

For more information, visit the Competition Website

Monday 31 October 2011

2nd November! Gather to save Louis Kahn's masterplan in Dhaka

on Monday 31 October 2011 - 20:47:52 | by admin
2nd November Wednesday at 10 in the morning
Gather to form a peaceful human-chain at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building.

Read the rest to know why:

We are happy to know that the Government of Bangladesh is initiating the long overdue process of making an MRT system for the over-crowded grid-locked Dhaka city. At the same time it is astonishing and very disappointing that a part of the MRT lines are decided (as far we know) to go through a portion of the Eastern edge of the National Parliament Building, the building and the masterplan often treated as the best piece of modern architecture ever built.

It was proposed that the line would go through Bijoy Shoroni in front of the Bhashani Novo Theater avoiding Khamar Bari and Parliament Building area, it would not hamper any of the demands of the neighborhoods, since the line would equally connect Monipuri Para and Khamar Bari area from the other side. (Google Dhaka's map to understand, or follow the attached file with "detailed graphic explanation").

save parliament building of Dhaka by Lois Kahn

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) put an objection about the line going through Bijoy Shoroni, saying it would disturb the operation of Tejgaon Airport (the Old Airport that has been abandoned for civil use and now it is used solely by BAF as a training base runway). Apparently it is proved that no aircraft exists on earth that would feel disturbed to fly from Tejgaon Airport over Bijoy Soroni, since there is already the Novo Theater building right along the runway and since the MRT lines would definitely be lower than the elevation of the line drawn from the top of the Theater to the edge of the runway.

Save the Parliament of Dhaka by Louis Kahn, explanation of the airport runway conflict

While there is an arguments about the necessity of the mere existence of the old airport at all in the middle of the city it is utterly unreasonable that the MRT line is being realigned to accommodate an illogical issue raised by BAF to support the airport than the Parliament Building.
We need to stop this ridicule and we need to gather to save Louis Kahn's masterplan. If you really love the country, the city and architecture join in the gathering to show a protest. Come with some banners/placards as you wish (avoid attacking, obscene language).

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Downloadable materials:
1. The call for gathering and explanations in Bengali


2. The detail (Graphic) explanation of why the realignment of the MRT route is unnecessary and illogical


3. Letter from the President of ARCASIA (Architects Regional Council Asia)


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An elaborate message from Architect Activist Iqbal Habib that was sent to all IAB members via email is quoted here:

"I hope you are observing and deeply concerned about the debate and active persuasion by some quarter to realign the metro route of MRT 6 at Section 3, where it is redirected to run alongside of the Shangshad Complex eastern edge taking at least 50 meter from that present edge with some pillars even deeper than that. IAB in association with BAPA, BIP and others has been engaged in understanding, pursuing with alternatives and encouraging good sense beside protesting the shifting of alignment. But it seems that the other way persuasion by some quarter has convinced the head of the state Honorable Prime Minister. Obviously as professionals of a democratic country we must now put the pressure of demand to save this audacious proposition and convince our Prime Minister to save the sanctity of the Luis I Kahn's Parliament Complex. Pls find our paper and presentation as attachment for your kind considerations of reasons to fight the cause.

To demonstrate our unity and strong urge, I submit to all of you to join in with immediate following actions;


1. On the Wednesday next, That is 2nd November, at 10 am at the South Plaza Side of the Shangshad Bhavan on Manik Mia Avenue, lets stand for one hour as a human chain with lots of banners and placard with our demand highlighted ' to protect the sanctity of the Shangshad Bhavan Master Plan' in Bangla and English (without attacking any other establishment for strategic reasons). Would request all Head of the Department of Architecture of different Universities to encourage the future professionals to participate whole heatedly to assume responsibility.

2. All the Architects who writes regularly in Newspapers or any other media, please come forward and generate a media campaign. We all shall try to ensure the publication of the same with utmost efforts. Lets involve other Professionals and Cultural figures along with Artist to save the sanctity of this Architectural Marvel.

3. Lets arrange more public seminars on the subject and immediately arrange a Signature Campaign from intellectuals, professional and educationists and submit the same to the Honorable Prime Minister and Speaker of the Parliament. At the same time we shall try to publish that urge to get support from the public.

4. Besides everything we must be united to continue our efforts to save the master plan from any further deviation."

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A mass movement by the conscious citizens of Dhaka city and architecture lovers.
Supported by IAB, BIP, IEB, BAPA, BELA, POBA, ArchSociety and others.

Wednesday 17 August 2011

Short Film Making Contest About 'Architecture is ...'

on Wednesday 17 August 2011 - 21:15:36 | by admin
Center for Architecture plus Design logo San Francisco based organization the Center for Architecture + Design is hosting an interesting contest of making 3 minutes short films on 'what is architecture'.
The entrants may be from any community or profession, young or old, and the people and the subjects on the film may also be from any where in the world on anything that portrays the core answer 'Architecture is...' As architecture means something different to each of us, and we want to hear what it means to you! Is it the beams and columns that hold up your home? Is it the way a skyscraper makes you feel like an ant in the city? Or is it how the built environment makes you move through space?

The submission will be online via YouTube and there's no entry fees. There are two separate categories for youth and adult Youth [13-18 years] Adult [19+ years] entrants.

Deadline: September 8, 2011,
Prize: Top films will be shown 2011 Architecture and the City Festival Film Series at Sanfrancisco Public Library and will also receive iPad-2
Second place winners will receive a Kodak PlaySport camera.

See details at the competition website: CLICK HERE.

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