Articles on Architectural Insights by Priyanshi Hiran

EDITORIAL INTERNSHIP WITH RTF

WRITTEN BY:

PRIYANSHI HIRAN

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CONTENTS

01. S, M, L, XL : BOOK REVIEW

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02. WAYS TO DESIGN AN INDIAN LIVING ROOM

03. SHOU SUGI BAN

04. PUBLIC & PRIVATE SPACES : ARTICLE REVIEW

05. MODERN ARCHITECTURAL TECHNIQUES

06. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

07. FLEXIBILITY IN ARCHITECTURE

08. THE HELIX BRIDGE

09. ART & ARCHITECTURE

10. ARCHITECTURAL PODCAST WITH JAMES LAW

11. GUOLAUG BATHS

12. HCC CAFETERIA BY SANJAY PURI

13. TEMPLES TO VISIT IN THE WORLD

S,M,L,XL : BOOK REVIEW

S, M, L, XL : BOOK REVIEW

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There are very fewer books which hold importance even after 20 years when they were published. This book gives a synopsis of the Era when architecture became a non-participant to the explosion of globalisation and the market economy.

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The book is a monograph written by Rem Koolhaas us who was a Dutch architect, author and a prominent cult figure. Books are often a powerful art form and treated as a cultural object. Rem Koolhaas wanted architecture to be a chaotic adventure. The book was a by-product of an extremely intimate collaboration between architect Rem Koolhaas and the designer Bruce Mau. Both the individuals strongly believed that collaboration helps to bring out what you think you aren’t capable of. During the book release, it seems to be the biggest thing around. Not just in terms of the size but also its sheer impact, the controversy and popularity. Its influence was felt immediately. Apart from obvious plans and sections, the book was a graphic overture that weaved free-wheeling essays, diary excerpts, photographs, architectural sketches, cartoons, doodles, and surreal montages of images fables, fairy tales, variety of insightful poetic writings and travelogues. The book intended to trigger the next generation architects out of their rudimentary thinking and negate the urban despair. The author admires Japan’s metabolic movement glimpses of which are seen in his own innovative firm OMA the office of metropolitan architecture. Some of the firm’s work is also described in this book. Mau’s description of the book: “A brick that fits into all kind of wall of ideas”. Once in a while, we come across with an accident or an inspiration the deeply affects us and changes our perspective about thoughts. This book is a leviathan filled with shards of information. It traps architecture in over 1200 pages. Any writer/author tends to put up the most polished works in front of the world. Carefully segregated pictures of accomplished projects and some high-resolution drawings in a book is a frequent way of author’s working. However, this book is different. The planning of this book is not a conventional one. To any avid reader, this might come forth as a hodgepodge or a random assembly. In this case, the title of the book was based on its framework. The book started small and increased in size as the pages increased. Projects and essays arranged according to the scale where largest of the city to the smallest of the decor is explained in the book. Small and medium address issues ranging from domestic to public, large and XL focuses on ‘architecture of bigness’ and urban scale projects. Running throughout the book there is a dictionary of the new koolhaasian

language which also includes definitions, quotes and commentaries from various architectural sources. It is more often termed as a stream of consciousness with loosely connected words that form a dictionary. To many readers, the book seemed a complete mess and they termed it as a user-hostile book. However, finding calm in this glorified chaos was the book ‘s ultimate aim. Despite being a massive book, any individual page of this book is an extremely straight forward. Book is obviously not a travel-friendly edition as it may occupy your space, but it can engage you in an intellectual argument very effectively. A new concept is introduced in the book, called ‘world images.’ Here, as we flip the page, the image from any part of the world was rotated at 90°. Metaphorically it allowed the reader to look at the world at a different angle. This was a powerful tool to deliver the content. The book glorifies the reality of the process. A messy process filled with scribbles; red lines that sometimes even makes it illegible. For instance, there is a drawing that depicts that people were discussing this drawing and the left a mark on it this is proof that architecture lives. Here are some captivating characteristic features of the book: •It contains random scribbles from the very beginning. The unglamorous sketches which after multiple layers of refinement are ready to be shown to the world. •Suddenly comes up a finished drawing in the sea of uncertainty. •There are certain parts of the book that are in a different language. For example, a project from Japan is left in Japanese and some parts of the dictionary are in French. •Sometimes the pictures span both pages whereas at times they are extremely tiny. •The book also contains handwritten calculations of trusses and the moment diagrams. The book is a monument to and a polemic about labour. It lays out reasons as to why one could try to overthrow the conventional architectural system. The discourse prepared by the renowned designers has paved a path for new thoughts and is an eye-opener for coming generations. The book is not easily accessible or understandable but persistence may deliver more than expected.

LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-reviews/a3736-book-in-focus-smlxl-book-by-bruce-mauand-rem-koolhaas/

S,M,L,XL : BOOK REVIEW

WAYS TO DESIGN AN INDIAN LIVING ROOM

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Family is an essential element of social interaction and the source of acquiring cultural learning. Bloodline and ancestral background play a central role in the lives of most Indians. We live in a collectivistic society that emphasizes loyalty and interdependence. There is a deep sense of inseparability injected into Indians.

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The concept of family extends beyond nuclear units and withholds a wider family circle of 3 to 4 generations. In existing scenarios of Indian families, there exists a strong system of hierarchy and the interests of a family are prioritized over an individual’s interests. Socializing is like breathing for Indians. The most prominent location for the entire family to meet up or socialize in a house is the Living room. Also known as Baithak kaksh, Divanakhana, is a space for eating, gossiping, discussing, playing, watching media, and hosting all such activities. One of the most striking features of Indian culture is its hospitality. We give extremely high regard to our invitees and guests. There goes a famous saying “Atithi Devo bhava,” meaning, “Guests are forms of God.” The people who are most likely to be invited to our homes are also attended in a living room. Thus, a living room in the house must personify the culture and ideals of the family. Here are some ways and recommendations on how to design a living room for Indian homes. 1.IDEAL PLANNING The design process must initiate the design of the overall layout of the space. As a designer, we must figure out the functionality and make the clients understand what ‘living’ means to them. A television or a home theatre/projector can be used as the main focal point and all furniture can be pointed towards it. ‘Open Plan Living’ is another way of designing, where all furniture pieces are loosely placed and can be reshuffled with time. 2.SOFA: THE BOSS The first piece of furniture to purchase is the Sofa as it stands for the longest time and is used the most. It must be designed as a quality piece. The client’s aesthetic preference must be thought and discussed by the designer before the final purchasing. Sofa arrangement must be such that it can house 80 percent of the family members comfortably. Using ottomans as some lose pieces can add to the décor of the living room. 3.ACCENTUATE WITH LIGHTING While architectural designing of the house is in process, we must make sure that we provide ample windows for natural light to enter the living room. If a designer enters the stage of interior designing then the focus must be on setting the mood with artificial lights. Investments must be made in aesthetic lamps. Along with led lights, the ambient lighting must also be smarty designed.

4.SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS Indians practice a diverse range of religions and excluding the atheist communities, we all have strong faith in the deity. All our houses have a welldefined place for the same. Having a glimpse of these spiritual bodies in the living room gives the religious identity of the family. 5.ACCENT CONSOLES Prominently designed coffee tables or a chest of drawers can act as a nice contrast with the existing large mass of sofa. This also suffices functional necessities. While designing, the scale of this furniture must be played smartly. It must not come forth as a bulky mass in the living room. 6.TEXTURED LAYERING The overall vibe of the living room must be juxtaposed with different textures like wood, metal, wool, silk, and glass. The entire material palette must be played efficiently and not end up giving a distasteful appearance to space. 7.INDIAN MOTIFS & WILD DESIGNS Ancient art and culture of civilizations that propagated in India gave us many motifs and design patterns. Using these patterns as a highlight to the contemporary house adds to the Indianness of the house. 8.SKILLED WOODWORK Skilful labours and art styles are something that India treasures. Sills like carving and sculpting when incorporated with readily available wood, produce a masterpiece. Using this in the living room can become the X-factor in the entire design language. 9.TEXTILE TRADITION India has a strong textile background and houses a variety of these. Be it upholstery or cushion covers or curtains or rugs, using textiles in any form is a true characteristic of Indian homes. 10.DECLUTTERED SIMPLICITY Every item placed in the living room must have some purpose for it. Clutter is stressful and having a tidy living room interior space must be the aim. Joint family living is always idealized in Indian homes. However, with the advancing parental modernity, many families are moving towards living as nuclear families. Not everyone is doing so but this is a selective nature of acculturation. Be it a joint family or a nuclear family, the existence of the living room as an important space in the house will always remain eternal.

LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/ interior-design/a3312-10-living-roomideas-for-indian-homes/

S,M,L,XL : BOOK REVIEW

SHOU SUGI BAN

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This technique was used to make the wood weatherproof. This treatment is used for interior and exterior furniture pieces, some architects also use it to create a master art piece.

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The burnt Cedar board is termed the Shou Sugi ban in Japanese. Although the initial origin of this technique is unknown however it is known to be used in the early 1800s. This process involves charring the wood, cooling it, cleaning it, and then oiling it such that it finally becomes fire resistant. The blackening of the wood reveals clean and distinct lines and shows the textural beauty of the wood that it inherits. With the right set of skills, this technique can be accomplished at home following the must-to-dos’. The first and most important task in this process is selecting the right wood. The Cedarwood is more porous and lighter in nature and thus becomes the most suitable wood for this technique. The fun part of this process is burning the word using a high-intensity flame which is effectively produced using an ice melting torch. The surface is expected to be charred enough so that it eats into the wood. The most important thing to remember while doing this is to take this entire process into a well-ventilated area and make sure that there are no flammable materials around, preferably in an open to sky space. The next step involves brushing off the charcoal dust. We need to take care that this movement of the brush happens in the direction of the grains of the texture. After brushing the wire brush opens up the wood and makes it even more porous.To make sure that all the charcoal dust is removed we clean it furthermore using an air compressor or a wet cloth and allow it to dry. After the water is dried, we use oil to rub over the wooden surface, preferably linseed oil. After applying multiple coats, we leave the wooden piece to dry. Now this wooden piece can be used to create any furniture of utility. If the furniture piece is kept indoors then it might require very little maintenance however a piece of outdoor furniture must be re-oiled about every 10 to 15 years. Not many of us are aware of this brilliant traditional technique. Even if we do know about the same, there might be some questions or misbeliefs dwelling in our heads. Here are some important factual points explaining the ins and outs of this procedure. 1.This process is not a harmful finish to the user or the environment. Today Shou Sugi ban is an extremely eco-friendly way of preserving the timber,

paradoxically and making it fire resistant. This cancels over the usage of any chemical preservatives paints which are otherwise necessary. 2.Nowadays most folks use this technique for decorative purposes. This technique of dynamic surface treatment is used either to create a toasted pattern on the wood or carbonize the entire wooden face 3.There is a fear amongst users that if they touch this wood with their bare hands or brush the clothes against it, it might turn black. However, a white sweater test can be done to custom topcoat, so that the product does not cause any sort of untidiness and has complete encapsulation. 4.If there exists a confusion that the furniture piece might smell like burnt wood, then yes slightly it might but the oil top coating minimizes this effect. 5.The selection of the wood is the most important step in the process. However, we might wonder if this process works on all types of species of wood. Yes, it does work. Even though some wood types are hardwood while some are softwood. This process is faster and more effective in softwood but a little time consuming if applied on a hardwood. 6.Does charring weaken the wood? Well, no charring only affects the outer surface of the wood and it does not penetrate more than 1/16 of an inch into the material. Thus, these products are structurally very sound. 7.The burning of wood is often a natural process thus the finish that is achieved on completion of the technique might fade away with time, but the aesthetic look of the furniture remains eternal. 8.The non-charred side of the wood may not be protected if the result of the product is for indoor utility. However, if used outdoors, then it must be safeguarded with a protective finish. 9.The burning of wood is an extremely tricky task. Using a short flame for a longer duration and using high-intensity flame for a shorter duration, gives varying outputs. Smaller and finer details are visible in the former case, whereas larger textural cracks are seen in the second scenario. 10.The most striking feature of Shou Sugi Ban is that in the initial days when it was performed, the wood was just charred and hung up to dry. No further refining or oil treatment was given to it. As the timeline proceeds, its utility in the construction industry also increased. To achieve a long-lasting finished wood piece, the process got elongated.

LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-facts/a3509-10-things-you-did-not-knowabout-shou-sugi-ban/

S,M,L,XL : BOOK REVIEW

PUBLIC & PRIVATE SPACES - ARTICLE REVIEW

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Variegated and lively urban spaces are more equal, prosperous and make the society even more democratic.

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The given article has been taken from the European Journal of sustainable development talks about the evaluation of different space types in terms of public dimension. It throws light on different kinds of public spaces the level of publicness it holds and how the privatisation is taking over the public realms. The impression of the city depends extensively on the quality of public spaces it houses. Planning these spaces should be a dominant rule rather than being just a seldomly found trait. Publicly accessible spaces take the front seat during the construction of a city. It fills the urban gaps with life, shapes the community and ties the diverse neighbourhoods. Common features as mentioned in this article emphasises social life, inclusive of various activities, convenient to use and is unique to the location. Adding on to this, public spaces play an important role in the physical and mental health of the citizens. It allows them a space of recreation and instils a sense of belonging. Well, planning public arenas facilitate political mobilisation and helps to prevent crime. The concept of ‘two-way street’ is influential. It explains that people spend more time on the streets if they feel safe and the street can be considered safer if there are more people on it. It is acceptable when said that the definition of public space is subjective for divergent genres of the public. However, the keywords that are debatable here are: - inclusivity, exclusivity, visible and accessible. The idea of public spaces has been a prehistoric one. Beginning with the Greek agora which in turn influenced another parallel called the Roman forums. Cathedrals were once the main institution of growing cities and medieval market squares were found in close vicinity. Carefully planned and symmetrically designed Roman squares were the next step towards designing the public spaces. The era of modernism saw the public spaces as a part of organised systems. Today we can see the public spaces in contemporary cities are under the pressure of capital and privatisation which is causing the decline of the public realm. Finding a space which is accessible for everyone without considering the religion caste creed gender and without any restriction is at most important. However, it is very difficult to define the publicness of public spaces as mentioned in the given article. On a personal note, here are some ways or characteristics or traits that I believe a public space must comprise of.

1. Blending of diverse realms of built environment like public commercial and residential. 2. Active interaction between ground level of buildings sidewalks and streets. 3. Public spaces must influence the social dimension and should play the role of people aggregator. 4. High scale and high density of construction harm people ‘s health. Maintaining the human scale of that particular zone is the key factor. 5. Public oriented lighting in public spaces is a safety gesture that facilitates public occupancy. 6. Designing public spaces should follow a local approach that also encourages small-scale entrepreneurs. 7. It must follow the principle of a complete street and shared spaces. 8. A good amount of vegetation can help in humanising the City and attract the citizens for outdoor activities. Amidst constant transformation the importance of public spaces for quality life will always remain constant. Special integration methods are some ways for the social inclusion of migrants and improve the urban setups. This article talks about the case study of Duzce city centre which is located between two metropolitan cities. After facing the enormous earthquakes this city got its tag as a province. It was then the use of economic investments and immigration of various migrants that made the city of lively one. This was followed by governmental initiatives to set up industries and economic sectors to allow the employment of its residents. There were new urban spaces built for example shopping malls and other recreational facilities. Some were privately owned while some were publicly owned spaces. However, a major big backdrop in designing this province was that claiming the malls to be public spaces was a completely wrong intention. It wasn’t accessible to the below poverty line class. Also, the spaces which were barren or abandoned during the earthquakes were not utilised or designed in any way. In a province, such abandoned open spaces mark the bad incidents that were faced by the city and as it does not enhance the beauty of this place. The privately-owned public spaces were seen to be more visited and utilised as compared to the publicly owned spaces this resulted in the decline of the special quality. It marked insufficient and unsatisfactory management qualities and lack of safety from the user’s perspective. As Jane Jacobs rightly mentioned that enhancing and designing public spaces is very important to sustain them. Thus, as a designer, we need to focus on not creating negative public spaces but focus more on how Spaces can act and behave positively in terms of ecological and social sustainability.

LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-reviews/a3941-article-in-focus-public-vs-private-the-evaluation-of-different-space-types-in-terms-of-publicness-dimension/

S,M,L,XL : BOOK REVIEW

MODERN ARCHITECTURAL TECHNIQUES

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Every single thing ranging from site selection to the planning of the space ending with the material finishes used can contribute towards users’ health, mood and productivity. Throughout lifetime architecture has represented this society. As the culture of society evolved architecture of that particular community took an upscale.

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“Modern architecture is not a style, it’s an attitude.”- Marcel Breuer

•This evolution of architecture eliminates all kinds of ornamentation; it gives clean aesthetic lines the materials meet in simple well-executed joints. •The materials used, are in well-defined planes and vertical forms complementing the horizontal element. •The built structure hugs the site and becomes a part of it rather than standing out or being in contrast. •Use of steel, concrete blocks, trusses, glass, exposed flooring etc, allows column-free and user-friendly spaces. •Wood, brick and stone often represent modern aesthetic when used simplistically. •Emphasis is laid on showcasing the honesty of the material. •Use of large glass surfaces to merge exteriors in interiors and bring the natural light in is the new trend use here. •Spaces are designed such that they flow together as part of one continuous interior space. •Best modern homes are efficient and aim towards enhancing human comfort. Modern architecture does not call to use the building materials allegedly. However, the main thing here is to refine the materials in a more human direction. The modern architecture involves concrete as the principal material. Extreme usage of this material leads us towards the architectural movement of brutalism. It is often perceived that the great brutalist buildings have the soul in such a way which the antiseptic glass buildings can never have. These buildings have undeniable power as well which cannot be achieved with any other material but concrete. Brutalism was considered as the architecture of forgotten underclass. It often represented a category of buildings which exhibited windswept plazas, crumbling concrete, ugly, dystopian, soullessness. This movement came along with high levels of gentrification. Materials such as steel and glass went high up suddenly in between a low-rise community. It was a strong belief at that time that concrete architecture is unforgiving. No one or no designer bothered to consult the people whose lives were ostensibly being improved. However, raw concrete often signifies down to earth nature, honest behaviour, unpretentious, egalitarian and creates a building which seems to be rooted in the place. A concrete building defines simplicity functionality and signifies directness. Concrete’s very nature is local instead of being blandly international.

Evolving times in the field of design added a new slang to our vocabulary, “The Concrete Jungle”. The concrete jungle is defined as a peri-urban city or a region with a high density of similar-looking high-rise concrete masses. This develops not only an unpleasant living environment but also suffocate the users residing here. If observed from a different lens then concrete jungle can also be defined as - tropical foliage over a concrete mass. For instance, a condition where the exterior of a monolithic concrete apartment is softened by a spectacular flourish of giant bamboo plants. Lifting above the poetic explanations, if we observe the technical aspect of the modern architectural movement, to name a few major modern architecture techniques used in present time is as follows: A precast flat panel system, 3-D volumetric modules, Flat slab construction, Precast cladding panels, Concrete walls and floors, twin wall technology, Precast concrete foundation, Concrete from work installation Modern architecture and its techniques along with concrete as the building materials go hand-in-hand. Most of these techniques are solely based on usage of concrete as the main material or using concrete along with additional material. In whichever way used, concrete never goes out of sight. It seems to be the most locally available economic building material. Concrete is also the most versatile material that is used to provide structural stability along with design aesthetics. Adhering to the massive influx of migrants from rural to peri-urban and urban areas has created a whole new set of city requirements. There has been a sharp rise in increasing demands of housing and workspaces. The fastest supply mode involves the construction of concrete high risers. However monotonous this set might appear, yet financially it has proved to be the most stable. This concrete built in the city setting serves all the functions and houses a greater density of people. With the advancing times, it is the dire need to get accustomed to this urban set-up termed as the ‘concrete jungle’. Frolicking with the volumetric massing, we designers can give it a shot to make the built form appear less bulky. Despite following the modern architectural techniques emphatically and incorporating all the design methodology in the design process, it is unimaginable to not use concrete as a building material. Thus, modern architectural techniques cannot help us to escape the concrete jungle.

LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/fresh-perspectives/a3827-can-modern-architectural-techniques-helpus-escape-the-concrete-jungle/

S,M,L,XL : BOOK REVIEW

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

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Effective budgeting and following techniques that will help us to reduce the cost of construction is how we can define low-cost residences. All of this done should be without sacrificing the strength, performance and life of the structure.

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Affordable housing is that segment of real estate which is affordable for the medium income group of society. This address must be the housing needs of lower-middle-income households. This is a key issue in the developing nations where the majority of people can’t buy houses at their market price. We must have often heard that affordable housing projects cost less but a week on amenities and rental yields. However, a housing emergency is one of the main topics of discussion because of social transformation. There is a strange misconception that affordable housing is suitable for substandard work or uses low-quality materials and is only for the poor segment or below the poverty line segment of the society. Well, this is not at all true because affordable housing or affordable construction is done by proper management of resources. It has a strange involvement of typological innovation technological innovation and use of other prefabricated systems. In low-cost housing, the material cost is less as the preferred local range of materials and this is further reduced by making a proper schedule of work. This practice can be applied to either a small or a large-scale project and it highly depends on the nature of the building to be constructed, the budget of the owner, geographical site of construction, availability of building materials and good construction management practice. In today’s time about a quarter of the world does not have a comfortable home to live in. This is an increased responsibility of the government to cater to this need. Exploring the use of some insanely cheap sustainable low-income housing materials can save the world. This is a sad truth that low-cost housing hasn’t been accepted by the majority of architects and engineers. Simply because of the simple design it offers, no specifications and low acceptance by higher income groups. There goes an extremely important saying that if the budget of a project is critical, we must stick to our guns and make the right choice so that we don’t regret it later. Here are some important points to remember while designing low-cost residences. 1.Be efficient in the floor area, we must aim at keeping our designs small and get rid of unnecessary spaces and unnecessary stuff that we own. 2.Avoid unwanted complexity in design for example a gable roof which is merely a visual treat for our neighbours. The rectangular form of a box is the simplest

and the most affordable. Often a good design has the clarity to parts and avoids unnecessary additional structural elements. 3.We must try to introduce simpler details to a design as fuzzy details can raise the price. We must also splurge strategically and decide where we want the highlight of a design and not sacrifice a good design. 4.Having a local approach to reduce labour costs and try to use locally available materials as the base price is low, the transportation cost will be low, it will save time. 5.Talking in terms of civil construction we can try to reduce the depth of a foundation, reduce the wall thickness, reduce the plinth height, use mud or store or soil stabilised blocks, hollow cement concrete as a construction material and maybe use precast materials. 6.Constructing masonry furniture that uses bricks, stone and cement for both indoors and outdoors has proven to be extremely durable and economic. 7.Usage of cement for flooring and on walls in place of stones or ceramic tiles can be easy to maintain and gives a fabulous rustic or a modern industrial look to space. 8.Usage of wooden pallets or exposed brick finishes on walls is an economic and eco-friendly alternative to traditional wooden cladding. 9.Exposed plumbing can be efficient in reducing the cost of plastering and hiding them. 10.Lastly taking a step further towards the sustainable design process, we must promote the usage of traditional materials that influences today’s design. Dreaming of building homes is becoming difficult with reality. We must consider low-cost as it plays a considerable role in supplying better houses for individuals. Thus, in today’s time, it might not be critical however it is extremely necessary to adopt these techniques.

LINK LINK TO TO THE THE PUBLISHED PUBLISHED ARTICLE ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/designing-for-typologies/a4019-10-things-to-rememberwhile-designing-low-cost-residences/

S,M,L,XL : BOOK REVIEW

FLEXIBILITY IN ARCHITECTURE

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Design flexibility allows the building to evolve as users need change. Its application spans between freedom of choice and expression and the reality of totally controlled spaces.

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The term “Flexibility” is defined as the unrestricted free range of motion, any feature or a vibe that is pliable and susceptible to change. The concept of flexibility in the field of architecture was proposed in contradiction to ‘tight-fit-functionalism’. In the case of affordable housing projects, the massing is done in such a way that it serves mere functionality. Here, the concept of personalization does not take a stand. In one of the projects, Alejandro Aravena dealt with one such project and emphasized incremental housing. According to him building a half house is better than building a complete house. In architecture, flexibility is malleable movable, and multipurpose. It is further classified into movable partitions, multi-use spaces such as open-plan offices and high-capacity service voids, and the room’s ability to expand. The concept of flexibility and design allows to adapt rather than stagnate, it allows to transform over restrict, it allows interaction over inhibits. Very often flexibility is measured as the amount of change that occurs and the degree of permanence of that particular change. At present time, a designer can use his own wit and instincts to design a space with a flexible approach or she might take the help of innovative technology to do the same. However, a question might arise that is technology controlling the user or a designer’s design asked for enhanced technology. Using the right thing at the right place calls for an experienced decision, which can be done only by a thoughtful designer. Any built environment should act as a living organism that involves special flexibility functional flexibility design flexibility and material flexibility. The term flexibility is devoted to space-time and technology as a whole. In today’s time, this has become an integral part of planning which is seen as a progressive approach. The flexibility of a building its elements and its design can allow it to be used efficiently despite changes in operational requirements whereas inflexible buildings might become obsolete. As a whole, design flexibility allows the user to fidget with time. The three phases of flexibility concerning architecture are as follows. 1.Adaptability It is defined as the capacity of a building to support multiple functions without altering architecture itself.For example; the repositioning of furniture, multifunctional spaces et cetera does not require any permanent change in this space.

2.Transformability This allows interior and exterior space to be changed without any need for new construction. This also involves mobility and responsiveness of the space. For example; fabricated structures, temporary accommodation, retail units. Also, various response structures such as floating building’s retractable roof fall under this category. 3.Convertibility It deals with changing functions along with some construction. This requires some permanent change. In practicing architecture, the advent of flexibility and design must be foreseen in the planning stage itself. Feasibility, research, later projections, and l ong-term plans must be pre-thought and incorporated in the design itself. Once the objectives of flexibility Unknown the design team can review and propose a plan that fits in the budget. Thus, making it sustainable and cost-effective. Then arises a concern about flexibility during the design-construction process. Some fast-track projects might require starting the construction even before the entire design has been resolved. Thus, providing some amount of flexibility in the early stages of design might allow flexible possibilities for later. For example; foundations are constructed way before the design. Here, if the foundations are bigger than needed then in the future, they can be used to house larger loads. The logical and thoughtful concept of spurring the sharing economy is evidently seen now even in the construction world of design and architecture. Creating multi-functional spaces introduces both challenges and exciting new approaches towards the built environment. Hyper consumerism has disintegrated and collaborative consumption has taken the front seat. Architecture has the capability to be as flexible as a naturally built environment must be able to change according to the emerging needs of the social environment. Another major advantage of flexibility is that it allows keeping the built environment relevant and useful until eternity. Moreover, it also reduces the constant need for redesigning. Before incorporating flexibility, it must be scanned through both the lenses of conceptual point of view and practical point of view. Currently popular in residential spaces but flexible design approach can also be applicable promisingly in the commercial arena. As we all know that change is the only constant and with the changing world the user needs to evolve at a faster pace.

LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/fresh-perspectives/a3819-what-does-flexibility-refer-to-in-architecture-and-its-relevance/

S,M,L,XL : BOOK REVIEW

THE HELIX BRIDGE

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There goes a common saying that, the dream of an architect is an engineer ‘s nightmare. however, this is not true for the helix bridge. Using the structural optimisation software, the design of this bridge was visualised. It enabled a method to find the linking of the two helices.

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The helix bridge is inspired by the geometric arrangement of a DNA strand transformed into a walkway encaged by a complementary double-helical structure in stainless steel. The execution of this masterpiece was done in Marina Bay city of Singapore in the year 2010. It took approximately 6 years for the completion this project. This bridge is elevated to 9 m from the river level. The bridge spans 285 m over the Singapore River from the Bayfront area and central business district. This stunning structure is a part of a 3.5 km long waterfront promenade. It also acts as the crossing and place of relief for many residents and tourists who come here simply for a stroll and to enjoy a wow experience in this urbanscape. This explicit Twisting structure connects one side of the shore to the other shore of the river sure. Singapore has a dense urban environment and the local planners pay keen attention to the development of the city’s urban design. Designers here are greatly influenced to using low maintenance, aesthetically appealing and sustainable material palette. The main intent for designing this bridge was to have a structure with an enhanced delicacy that omitted the bulky nature of a vehicular bridge. Implementation of conceptual designs is sometimes tricky here because of the hot and humid environmental conditions. Whatsoever the challenges may be posed, materials like stainless steel adhere to these demands and give designers an ideal choice. Varieties of grades are available for stainless steel and it is corrosion resistant as well, thus it proves as a durable low maintenance solution. In plan, this pedestrian bridge has been curved just so the overall pedestrian footfall is distanced from the cars. To further suffice the functionality, it connects to the vehicular bridge at just one point. As mentioned earlier, apart from serving the purpose of commute or walking on this bridge it is also a trail in itself. It connects major public realms and attractions like Marina Bay Sands resorts and the national performing arts Centre. Usage of the glass openings on the floor provides a connection to the water below. There are four observation decks or viewing platforms that offer a 360° breath-taking view of the Singapore skyline. This feature provides an amazing vantage point. During the day time, the bridge’s unusual canopy offers a dynamic spatial experience. And at night, with the use of the technology of LED ribbon lights, the entire bridge is illuminated magnificently after the sunset. The lights focus on the two twisting helix tubes after which the bridge has been named. The

entire span of 2 to 85 m is completed using three 65 m spans and two 45 m spans of steel tubes. This Bridge can support 16,000 people at a particular time. As approved by Singapore urban development authority the bridge was constructed in duplex stainless steel. Each member of the bridge was crafted in a minimal dimension of tubes which were 273MM in diameter. This design style reduced the amount of steel needed five times because of the DNA strands form. At times on the first impression, the bridge might appear to be incapable of carrying substantial loads. However, the two delicate health structures act together as a tubular truss. Light and design were done by the designers and for sizes on the curvature of the bridge. Outward reflecting lights accentuate the curvilinear members and another set of inward reflecting lights illuminate the internal canopy of glass and steel mesh to create a dynamic membrane of light. To guide the path for pedestrians the inner helix uses white lights. The lighting is done in pairs like the chemicals which run in pairs in the DNA strands. These lightened-up spirals give an even more sensational experience to the users. As it may appear, the bridge is intricate and extremely complicated. Rather than using a simple wire mesh along with steel rods, the Cox group of architects and Arup’s engineering used Helix as the base shape and phenomenal design model. The drawings of the bridge depict everlasting abundance, continuity, growth and renewal. This bridge offers an essential public link along with the cultural benefits and has both practical and aesthetic purpose. The net-like canopy represents the Singaporean fishing nets. Some may call the entire stretch of the bridge a twisted molecular walk as one cannot see the other end of the bridge while walking. As a result, the excitement never dies and you unfold new things as you walk ahead. This architectural wonder was felicitated with the ‘Transport Architecture Award’ during the World Architectural festival of Barcelona in 2010.

LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/ case-studies/a4020-helix-bridge-by-architects-61-inspired-by-dna/

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ART & ARCHITECTURE

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Art is the human activity that creates visual auditory and performing artworks through artistic creation and expresses the emotions and idea of aesthetics’ along with the artist imagination.

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Architecture is about creating buildings and usable spaces which inspire us and ultimately are the best work of art in which we can thrive. Architecture is a time-consuming process that involves, planning, designing and zooming from micro to macro levels of understandings. Thus, architecture can be considered as one of the most democratic art forms known to humankind. Today even the most Honourable philosopher debate between the link of art and architecture. Thus, exploring a relationship between these two issues is very important and also maybe art could be a solution to make the architecture even more accessible. Certainly, behind the construction of a most functional building there lies a concept or an abstract narrative or a sketch that directs the design of that particular building. These conceptual sketches relate to the cultural background of that civilisation or that time era. Like various art forms architecture also involves Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque etc architectural movements which have been developed over duration through different paintings and sculptures. Today’s digital renderings and algorithms have a contradictory effect on traditional methods which were time-honoured and employed architects for various centuries. Initially, architects were always honoured and respected as the ultimate artist who could visualise imaginary buildings and places with great depth of their imagination and effectively drew them out in pen or pencil. Only after the conceptual stage of sketching began the labourers’ process of drawing the technical specifications of how a building could be assembled and be executed in reality through miscellaneous elaborate collaboration with craftsmen and other complimenting artists. The drawings were an accumulation of knowledge of human anthropometric, their visual experiences, understanding of how physics can be applied in bringing up wonderful spaces, the spaces that not only impact daily lives but also develop our culture which results in our civilisation. However, in recent times it is strongly believed that the technical and practical lens of architectural projects has overtaken the artistic vision that existed in the design. Today architecture is more utility-based. Some architects also believe that their concern is only with the shape of the building and how it is conceived and they are not in charge of adding any relevance or meaning to the design form thus they feel that architecture should not be considered as an

art form. Cycling back to the initial statement that architecture is democratic. In practicality, architecture is supposed to benefit the general civilians and Yet some civilians are not receptive to it. Exclusive architecture might appear a bit bland to normal viewers because of the technical side. The general public often is inclined more towards an aesthetically looking design correlated to a functionally well-built design. If the users could dive into the approach taken by the architect maybe they could appreciate the architecture better however this is not the most accessible field to the general public and that is why we should try to make it more approachable and more attractive. The design of construction does not mean that you have to involve an artistic inspiration. Nevertheless, it does not mean that we can’t involve artwork inside the walls of the building. This should be applicable especially in spaces that are often cold and impersonal for example hospitals schools offices public service buildings etc. architecture will have numerous ways of how to subtle out the visual aesthetic‘s too cold craft. However, art is the only resource to humanise the merely practical dimension and to make it more public-oriented. From my humble point of view architecture as an art form is extremely misleading to the public domain and it can also cause potential damage to society. we must stop confusing art and architecture. We as an architect in charge of the form of the building but form is our specific contribution to the evolution of world society but it is not art. art is a medium of self-expression but as an architect, you can’t keep yourself above the rest of the general public. It is not important if what you think is practically the right way to build however what design is beneficial for the majority is an efficient design produced by an architect. It might not be agreed upon by all the readers that art and architecture are not related, but this is a personal opinion based on readings and the knowledge spectrum owned by me. Both art and architecture have an intangible aspect of creativity. This aspect can be overviewed in terms of eye-candy design forms or creative spatial planning and buildings with enhanced functionality. Whichever the case may be, both aim towards the benefit of the society and are well suited to that particular time of the civilisation.

LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/fresh-perspectives/a4212-is-architecture-still-considered-an-art/

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ARCHITECTURAL PODCAST WITH JAMES LAW

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Being a time-efficient source of communication, podcast holds a personal touch, they are convenient and easy to consume and highly costeffective, in today’s time podcast is an on-demand technology and often the first step towards delivering yourself on an online platform or social media.

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A podcast is an informative audio file that brushes through the minute details which are seemingly neglected in our day to day lives. Any Podcast revolves around a topic of concern which is explained by speakers who excel in that particular field. Multiple podcasts in the design field include interviews with miscellaneous architects and experts who are major influencers of today’s urban, industrial and graphic design. The podcast is often a portable source of information that allows productive multitasking. These can be heard while eating, travelling or doing any household chores.The given podcast architecture of purpose with James law is an interview-based podcast. James law is an architect based in Hong Kong as well as an entrepreneur who works on the philosophy. This particular podcast talks about his transition from the educational level to the professional practice level, it also talks about ins and outs of a small firm, how an office functions, how to balance practice dreams and create a practice around yourself. James law strongly believes that you need to know when to quit, you cannot impose your passion or force anyone to work the way you think is right. The kinds of projects designed by you also determine your thought process and influence your personality majorly. It is extremely important to know that you cannot fit in anyone else’s construct. His philosophy of cybertecture revolves around the fact how we are constantly living in technology and it envelops us. This podcast defines architecture with a completely different lens and a perspective. James low mentions that architecture is a technology that binds us with the environment and focuses on alleviating the suffering of mankind. As an architect, we should know a purpose and always remember that we hold the power to shape this world. The design today should be solution-based and not just make masses. What is the growing times when technology has highly taken over today, and architectural spaces are also getting fused with technology and creating a virtual space? For instance, a bathroom has become a health monitoring space, a living room is often considered a portal to connect to the rest of the world. Sustainable resilience is playing an important role in how the technology works in restaurants schools and hospitals. This podcast is majorly an eye-opener with the changing times. It also talks about how the process of construction needs to shift from being an extremely wasteful and permanent one to

modular, smart and intelligent media of construction. History of architecture tells us about the civilisations, lifestyles of people living at that time and similarly architecture today will reflect how humanity is coexisting in today’s time. Thus we need to shift our role from an architecture designer to an architectural strategist. Apart from giving abstract philosophies about architecture as a profession, this podcast also enlightens us about how we need to be practical in our profession. Not everything we design is going to get built and this is a great lesson. The Sooner we learn better it will be. James law also mentioned his take on today’s education system. He strongly supports the fact that architectural education should not be shorter but should start earlier. Along with being a balance between creativity and practical we should also promote an online mode of education as it helps to accelerate diversity. One important learning on a personal opinion is how we need to think where we will find ourselves 10 years down the line. At this point when we are still in the education process, we are often immature and fail in understanding what the future has help for us. Future is unpredictable however holding a long-term plan can often prove beneficial. The last set of learnings and advise which were given to young architects like us is to have patience level lives, be grateful, be safe, and keep our architectural egos down an aim towards leaving it a balanced life. The above stated is one of the examples of the podcast which was an eyeopener. A podcast for designers is a source of inspiration. It directs our thinking and gives it a critical approach. Viewing any agenda with multiple lenses is an essential part of the design process. moreover, for the upcoming new generation of designers, it becomes a necessity to break through the rudimentary notions and to have a fresher outlook. I believe that this online radio is a non-monotonous way to acquire a larger spectrum of knowledge and one must practise listening to podcasts in their everyday routines

LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-reviews/a3939-podcast-for-architects-architecture-of-purpose-with-james-law-ag-54-archgyan/

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GUOLAUG BATHS

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This Testament is a positive effect for single architectural intervention which enables and encourages interaction with the ocean and the natural elements. This congregation spot is sought after for its health benefits & healing power.

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‘Guolaug Baths’ is open to the public, democratic, a community favourite space that has a free entry. Snuggled into a rocky breakwater barrier that runs along the langiSandur beach in Akranes we find the Guolaug baths by basalt architects on Iceland ‘s west coast. This bathing facility stretches over an area of a hundred-meter square. The project design was inspired by the naturally occurring pools in the seawater. The architects explored the full potential of sites geographical assets and the ancient history of geothermal bathing. These pools are formed around the rocky bases on the beach as the tides flow in and out. The initiative of this project was funded by the memorial funds whose role was to enrich the community lifestyle. The further funds were received by the township authorities and the government. The brief of this architectural project was extremely simple that stated a hot pool placed anywhere by the beach. This rocky coastline shelters the sports ground from the north Atlantic Ocean. On the north side of the bath, we find the soccer stadium which is an exposed concrete structure. The stadium provides shelter from the cold northern winds. This design proposal by basalt architects moves more towards functionality as it also suggests to re-purpose the stadium’s underbelly to include changing rooms, a cafe and a storage facility which was a fantastic opportunity presented to house the future development for beach sustainably and cost-effectively. These baths inspired by the old Public bath facility play an extremely essential role to create a recreational facility around the beach. This project is also built upon Iceland’s ancient geothermal bathing tradition and the structure pays homage to the circular shape of historic predecessors however the form of the structure is unique to the existing site conditions. The piping hot water is accessed either by drilling or it might rise to the surface of the earth as the result of the movement of the tectonic plates. It acts as a gathering point for Ocean swimmers who need a prior warmup session. In terms of zoning, this structure is designed as a triple tire structure. Each tier revolves around a monolithic rock. The topmost tier is a viewing or an observation deck which is inspired by the bow of the boat. The middle tier is the main pool which is semi-sheltered from prevailing weather by the observation deck above and surrounded by a magnificent wall that is geometric in nature. Filled up by the overflowing water of the main pool we find the lowest tier of

the beach pool which is cooler in nature, it also allows the sea swimmers to adjust between the extremely cold ocean waters and the hot pool in the second tier. Paving its way from the Deildartunguhver hot springs in Europe, untreated geothermal water is channelled. Executing a design construction on a beach without hitting the solid bedrock is for sure an engineering concern. Providing a safe shelter was the primary design concern for the architects. This region is well known for brutal Atlantic storms which are capable enough to thrust the boulders from the sea and deposit them on the pedestrian pathways. Thus, any material typology that can withstand these lateral forces are scarce. The construction of this project involves the usage of marine-grade concrete to resist the intense lateral forces of the ocean waves. Before the approval, a sufficient amount of testing was done. It involved galvanized steel as well as corten, to see if the structure could resist nature’s wrath. Owing to the constant tidal movements and sand foundations, despite being an extremely challenging situation, it called to use precast concrete elements to limit time and ensure quality. The timber from work finish used is in significance to the old fishing boats that were once an essential part of towns seafaring history. At times of high tide, this design allows users to experience the explosive power of ocean water under the feet whereas during the low tides a significant stretch of beach is available. The architects designed this project to promote the public health of the region by bolstering the area ‘s potential for outdoor recreational activities and to meet the requirements of present and future users. The langiSandur beach is the only natural bathing beach in today’s urbanscape and the only beach which has achieved the blue flag certification. No two visits to this structure can ever be the same, as the tides the light and the weather conditions change every moment giving a new experience to the visitors. Not only this is a popular outdoor recreation for locals but also a hidden gem to the visitors. The breathtaking view from the pool comprises the city skyline across the Ocean and the faxafloi bay.

LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-reviews/a3757-gudlaug-baths-inspired-by-little-sea-pools-nestled-in-rocky-barrier-in-icelanddesigned-by-basalt-architects/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_ campaign=a3757-gudlaug-baths-inspired-by-little-sea-pools-nestled-inrocky-barrier-in-iceland-designed-by-basalt-architects

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HCC CAFETERIA - BY SANJAY PURI

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“Evolving a dialogue of spaces that transcend the ordinary in the way they are perceived while resolving the functional aspects in a more conducive way than ways explored earlier and simultaneously forming volumes sculpturally is innovation in the architectural sense. “ -AR. Sanjay Puri

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The firm Sanjay Puri Architects was established in 1992 by Sanjay Puri. The practice comprises 72 potential employees who conduct this robust design practice. As a firm, they excel in multi-design platforms like hospitality, commercial, retail, educational, and entertainment facilities as well as large urban projects including town planning. Their works offer an experiential upfront to designed spaces with a seamless blend of environmental sustainability. Their works are highly contextual apart from being an immense innovative solution for client requirements. Ar. Sanjay Puri keenly believes that “Architecture is the only art form that affects human behavior both physically & emotionally in several ways. Hence, special care has to be taken while designing a project which can vary as per clients, functions, locations, contexts, end-users, and so on.” Architecture has never been a static field of career. Opiating on the same, Ar. Sanjay Puri comments, “There is no field as stimulating and diverse as architecture. The ways spaces are being perceived and used are constantly evolving and architecture and design are incorporating these changes of perception based on demand as well as exploring new possibilities of space dynamics. Each location is different even within the same city and design needs to be contextual to the site’s specific location, its surroundings, and its relation to the sun and wind direction.” Thus, he strongly suggests that we must not run with the ongoing trends but aim at creating meaningful, contextual, and responsive products and set a benchmark. One such small-scale, yet extremely significant project is the HCC Cafeteria. This is a recreational architectural project located in Vikhroli, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The structure was designed as two separate structures. Both the structures had a curvilinear geometry and were united as a whole. Large volumes achieved by the form added to the overall spatial ambiance. Glass used on the opposite walls of the structure allows natural daylight preventing it from using any artificial light. Thus, making the structure sustainable and energy-efficient. Construction of the structure is executed on a plot surrounded by trees and natural vegetation. The planning of the facility was done without hindering the natural outgrowth. This showcases the environmental sensitivity of the architect. The rustic finish to the structure doesn’t let the structure become an

eyesore amongst the serenity offered by nature. The materials used have been chosen very wisely. The built form encompasses minimal usage of opaque material and a great percentage of transparency is offered by the glazing windows. This was done intentionally so the user remained connected to external beauty even when he was sitting inside. The reduced bulkiness of the structure lets it sit peacefully in the given site conditions. This material palette keeps the design light and permits the spatial experience to merge with the surroundings. When the visitors are seated in the closed space, high degrees of glassiness give exposure to nature creating a feeling of sitting in an open veranda. Jet black mullions used on the glazing windows, adds to the modernistic design language of the structure. As the daylight subdues and artificial lighting takes over, the structure becomes even more aesthetically appealing to the viewers. Amongst the dense tree growth, this lively and lit place is the main selling point for the users. The small scale of this designed function withholds minute details which makes the structure one of a kind. Ar. Sanjay Puri has followed their design philosophy to the mark and a recreational function like a cafeteria has been innovatively redefined. Respecting the natural beauty of the site, the team had no intention of overpowering them. The structure designed by them could have reached soaring heights, however, the architects took the approach of horizontal designing rather than achieving vertical heights. The horizontality of the cafeteria blends beautifully with the landscape around. There is sufficient roof projection over all the glazing windows that give adequate weather protection. Adhering to the designed views, the structure is not an outstanding one when viewed from a far-off distance. Its beauty is unveiled as the user approaches it closely. The aim of enhancing the spatial experience is vividly achieved in this design project. Ar. Sanjay Puri steadily believes that every project is different. Each project teaches the designer something new and helps us to develop an insight into how space is perceived. This project is an excellent example of this healthy design practice and an eye-opener for all the amateurs of the field. Apart from the HCC Cafeteria, the firm has a diverse portfolio. All the projects done by them are an excellent learning platform and must be read upon by all the freshmen.

LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/case-studies/ a3417-hcc-cafeteria-by-sanjay-puri-architects-coinciding-with-the-surroundings/

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TEMPLES TO VISIT IN THE WORLD

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A temple or a Mandir houses the idol of the deity within a larger building. This space is reserved typically for all sorts of spiritual and religious practices. The word temple comes from ancient Rome which means a ‘sacred precinct’.

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Varying religious faiths such as Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Hinduism etc, have named their place of religion in their way. Some commonly known places of worship are temples, mosques, churches and many more. Spanning the globe, this is a list of few temples that have attracted visitors from all around the world. These architectural masterpieces are worth appreciating. 1.TANAH LOT TEMPLE, BALI The temple is located on the island of Bali, in Indonesia. This is one of the famous Hindu temples and in ancient dictionaries, it means - “Land in the Sea”. This pious religious destination is an extremely sacred venture for Balinese Hindus. Because of the scenic beauty, today this temple has become a widely known tourist attraction. 2.MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, MADURAI Madurai is a well-known city in south India. This temple is popularly known as the Meenakshi Amman Temple which worships the avatar of goddess Parvathi and Sundareshwar called Meenakshi. At the entrance of the temple complex, there lies a welcome gateway. Each gateway comprises 14 colourful gateways and is called a Gopuram. 3.ANGKOR WAT, CAMBODIA Angkor Wat is known to be the largest temple complex in the world that spreads over 400 acres. The historical background of this religious complex tells that this was built by ancient Hindu rulers in the 12th century. After a few centuries, this temple transformed into a Buddhist temple. Because-of its architectural beauty, this temple holds significant importance in pop culture. Various movies and documentaries have featured this recognizable monument 4.AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE, NEW DELHI Akshardham Swaminarayan temple is one of the youngest temples on my list. The construction of this temple was completed in 2005 in New Delhi. The Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism held this spiritual and cultural movement and established 3 such temples around the world. Red sandstone was beautifully used for the construction of this temple complex. Intricate carvings and sculpting with minute details have been worked on in its interiors and exteriors. 5.THE TEMPLE OF CHICHEN ITZA, MEXICO The temple of Chichen Itza is a well-known archaeological site located in

Mexico. Out of the few remaining Mayan Temples, this one is a fabulous temple and also the most visited temples. The most amazing fact about this heritage is that all four sides of a pyramid climb a total of 91 steps including the top step. The cumulative addition of the steps on four sides adds up to 365 steps. This signifies one step for each day of the calendar. 6.THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN, BEIJING Temple of Heaven is built in the capital of China that is Beijing. The emperor who built the forbidden city near Beijing also built this temple in the 15th century. The mythological stories related to this temple tell us that the past kings and rulers came to visit this temple and prayed for a good harvest. This is a Taoist temple that has an outstanding architectural design. 20 years ago, it was also recognized as a UNESCO heritage site. 7.BOROBUDUR TEMPLE, INDONESIA At Central Java in Indonesia, lies the massive Borobudur Temple Complex. It comprises over 2500 Buddha statues. UNESCO played an important role in restoring this ancient site of Borobudur to its former glory. The first set of construction started in the 9th century. However, the construction was halted as some Javanese people transformed their fate into Islam which resulted in the decline of the Hindu Empire. 8.GOLDEN TEMPLE, AMRITSAR The Golden Temple located in Amritsar is the holiest temple of Sikhism. This Gurudwara is a pilgrimage built around 450 years ago on the banks of a man-made pool also called Sarovar. The Centre of authority or the Akal Takht is housed in this temple premise for all the people following Sikhism. 9.ABU SIMBEL, EGYPT Egyptian civilization is one of the oldest known civilizations that ever existed in the prehistoric era. Its ancient history has always been a fascinating venture for people all around the world. One of the fragments of this exciting venture was the amazing rock temples of Abu Simbel. This was constructed around 3300 years ago. Out of all the temples listed in the list, this is the oldest temple. 10.KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE, VARANASI Varanasi is the holiest city in India. River Ganga flows through the city. On the western banks of this pious river, lies the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This is one of the most famous Hindu temples in the world. The religious complex is also a sacred site because it is also one of the 12 jyotirlingas all over India. Jyotirlinga has been there since ancient times but the modern structure of the temple was built in 1780.

LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/travel-and-architecture/a3820-temples-to-visit-around-the-worldfor-the-travelling-architect/

C E R T I F I C A T E

O F

INTERNSHIP Presented to

PRIYANSHI HIRAN for successfully completing their internship as an

Editorial Intern (Work From Home) at Rethinking The Future, Delhi from 14th Dec,’20 to 28th March,’21 Rethinking the Future is a leading organization providing an international platform to recognize and acknowledge design talents from all over the world, and to share knowledge created through a plethora of awards, events and academic dialogues in the field of Architecture and Design.

Vikas Pawar CEO

re-thinkingthefuture.com

THANK YOU