Hon. Secretary’s Report of Activities for the term 2008-10
Before I begin with the diary of activities conducted by IIA Nagpur Centre, I would like to draw your attention to some of the highlights.
After successful completion of two consecutive terms 2004-06 and 2006-08 under Chairmanship of Ar. Sunil R. Degwekar, Nagpur Centre of IIA started the activities of this term 2008-10 with more enthusiasm under Chairmanship of Ar. Vasant B. Ranade.
Nagpur Centre made a hat-trick of winning “Best Centre Award” in year 2009 preceded by the years 2007 & 08 and made a historic record of IIA.
Nagpur Centre of IIA hosted “IIANATCON 2009” at Nagpur on 5th, 6th and 7th November 2009 and was appreciated nationwide.
The programmes and events organised by The Indian Institute of Architects,
Nagpur Centre during the term 2008- 10 are as follows.
Environment Friendly Architecture– The Nagpur Centre of The Indian Institute of Architects started its activities for the term 2008 -10 with an audio visual presentation on “Environment Friendly Architecture” by well known architect Ar. Deenbandhu Upasani, Mumbai. The presentation was held on 7.00 pm at Royal Court, Hotel Tuli International, Sadar, Nagpur on 20th December 2008.
The prize distribution function for winners of “Design Trophy 2008” was held at the end of the programme.
The programme was sponsored by M/s Astral Polyteknic Ltd.
Students Interaction programme with Ar. D. M. Upasani:- The interactive programme was organised in the morning on 20th December 2008 for the students of architecture of various colleges of Nagpur Region at Smt. M. M. College of Architecture, Nagpur.
Rachana 2009 – Like every year, the Building Material Exposition was organised by IIA Nagpur Centre from 23rd - 26th January 2009 at Ladies Club Lawn, Civil Lines, Nagpur. It was inaugurated by President IIA Ar. Vinay Parelkar, Mumbai. Ar. A. G. Mendhekar was the Convenor of 15th Rachana.
World Women’s Day – Smt. M. M. College of Architecture, Nagpur celebrated the World Women’s Day in collaboration with IIA Nagpur Centre on 7th March 2009 at Niyogi Hall, LAD College for Women, Nagpur. The theme was “Shifting Boundaries and Creating Identities: Women as Creator and Consumers of Space in India.” The guest speaker was Architect Madhavi Desai. In the evening, IIA Nagpur
Center hosted dinner at C. P. Club, Civil Lines, Nagpur.
Creativity and Architectural Practice – Projects and Beyond :- An audio visual presentation by Ar. Namith Varma, Bangalore, was organised by IIA Nagpur Centre on Saturday, 14th March 2009 at 7.30 pm at Naivedyam Celebration Hall, N. A. Road, Nagpur.
Reflections: - One day event was organised by Architects and Engineers Association of Bilaspur on Saturday, 11th April 2009 at Hotel Panchvati, at Bilaspur. The association invited members of Nagpur Centre, Ar. V. B. Ranade, Ar. R. G. Bhambhani, Ar. S. S. Toye, Ar. Habeeb Khan and Ar. Jiten Shrivastava as guest speakers for audio visual presentations. Along with guest speakers, Ar. S. R. Degwekar, Ar. R. L. Sarwate, Ar. Suhrud Bokare, Ar. R. T. Kakde, Ar. K. M. Shirkhedkar were invited for participation in one day programme. Ar. S. R. Degwekar inaugurated building material exhibition organised on same day.
Participation in IIA Maharashtra Chapter Workshop: - Members of IIA Nagpur Centre, Ar. R. G. Bhambhani, Ar. S. R. Degwekar, Ar. R. L. Sarwate, Ar. K. P. Rewatkar and Ar. R. T. Kakde participated in the one day workshop organised by IIA Maharashtra Chapter on ‘Administrative Practices of IIA Office Bearers’ on 26th April 2009 at Hotel Sai Palace, Mira Road, Mumbai. Prof. S. A. Deshpande was one of the guest speakers of the programme.
Members’ Get together :- was held on 13th May 2009 in “Celebration of IIA Foundation Day” at 8.00 pm at C. P. Club, Civil Lines, Nagpur.
Exhibition of Selected Project Works of Final Semester of Students of Architecture: The two day exhibition of Selected Project Works of FinalSemester of Students of Architecture of V.N.I.T. and colleges under R.T.M. Nagpur University was organised on 31st May and 1st June 2009 at Rabindranath Tagore Art Gallery, N.I.T. Sankul, N.A. Road, Nagpur.
Meeting regarding Byelaws : IIA Nagpur Centre and CREDAI Nagpur (previously Nag Vidarbha Builders Association) jointly organised 4 meetings to clarify the interpretations and to modify DCR rules for the betterment of growth of Nagpur City. And also had joint meeting with NMC Commissioner Mr. Asim Gupta regarding this topic. It was informed that NMC Commissioner agreed to most of the interpretations drafted jointly by both the associations and the final draft will be issued shortly.
Meeting regarding AUTO DCR : Members of IIA Nagpur Centre had meeting with NMC officers regarding Auto DCR method for sanctioning the drawing. It was found that Auto DCR programme runs only in the commercial version of Auto CAD and is not compactable to any other software programme. Hence, IIA Nagpur Centre has taken objection against this issue by writing a letter to NMC Commissioner.
Interactive Session with Students of Architecture: IIA Nagpur Centre and Department of Architecture, VNIT Nagpur jointly organised interactive programme for students of architecture of Nagpur region by Ar. Ravi Gadre, Pune on 10.30 AM at 8th August 2009 at Assembly Hall, Department Physics, VNIT, Nagpur.
Audio-Visual Programme : An audio visual presentation by Ar. Ravi Gadre, Pune, was organised jointly by IIA Nagpur Centre and Department of Architecture, VNIT Nagpur on 8th August 2009 at 7.30 pm at Assembly Hall, Department Physics, VNIT, Nagpur for the members and students of architecture.
4th Executive Committee Meeting of IIA Maharashtra Chapter : It was hosted by IIA Nagpur Centre on Saturday, 12th September 2009 at 11.0 A. M. Meeting Hall, Hotel Heritage Nagpur.
Colours in Architecture: An audio visual presentation by Ar. Shirish Sukhatme, Mumbai, was organised by IIA Nagpur Centre on Saturday, 12th September 2009 at 7.30 pm at Hotel Centre Point, Nagpur for the members and students of architecture. The programme was well attended by The President & Office Bearers of IIA, Chairman, Office Bearers and Executive Committee members of Maharashtra Chapter and local members and students. The programme was sponsored by M/s ICI ltd.
IIA Office Bearers’ Meeting of IIA: It was hosted by IIA Nagpur Centre on Sunday, 13th September 2009 at 11.0 A. M. at Hotel Heritage, Civil Lines, Nagpur.
Design Studio Competition: From this year, IIA Nagpur Centre started to organise ‘Design Studio Competition’ for the students of architecture of 7th semester of colleges of Nagpur Region and V.N.I.T., Nagpur, as a part of their academic curriculum. This year’s design problem was based on the NATCON theme – The Second Renaissance.
Rachana : Building Material Exposition was organised by IIA Nagpur Centre from 5th, 6th and 7th November 2009 at SCZCC Lawn, Civil Lines, Nagpur. It was inaugurated by Past President IIA Ar. Madhav Deobhakta, Mumbai. President IIA, Ar. Vinay Parelkar, office bearers of IIA and IIA Maharashtra Chapter were prominently present during the event. Ar. A. G. Mendhekar was the Convenor of Rachana.
8th Mavlankar Memorial Oration: Itwas organised by IIA Nagpur Centre on Thursday, 5th November 2009 at 7.30 pm at C. P. Club, Civil Lines, Nagpur. The guest speaker was ARCASIA Award Winner Ar. Shirish Beri, Kolhapur. The programme was well attended by members and students.
NATCON 2009 : National Convention’09 organized by The Indian Institute of Architects Nagpur Center on 6th and 7th of Nov. 2009 at Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande Hall, Civil Lines, Nagpur was a grand success. The event received overwhelming response from the members and students through out the country and was largely appreciated. Eminent speakers from all parts of India, Sri Lanka and Australia deliberated on the theme – ‘The Second Renaissance’ during these two days.
Inaugural function extended the experience of traditions reinvented innovatively. During the function Ar. Vasant B. Ranade, Chairman IIA Nagpur Center welcomed the gathering and presented crisply the 30 years of journey of the Centre with selected clippings. Ar. Ramesh G. Bhambhani Convener and Ar. Sunil R. Degwekar Co-Convener & Treasurer also extended the warm welcome. Ar. Vinay Parelkar President IIA appealed to all the architects to understand and realize the true meaning of the theme and adopt the same in the practice for the future of architecture of India.
Ar. Shirish Beriwas felicitated on the occasion for receiving ARCASIA Gold Award for his IT building at Hyderabad.
Technical sessions held during the two day were highly appreciated by the participants.
Valedictory function was held in the evening. Rachana - an exhibition of buildings material was organized at the same venue during NATCON. Stall holders of Rachana were acknowledged and Best Stall Award was presented.
Nagpur Centre IIA was once again declared as a Best Centre 2009 consecutively for the 3rd time. The Kolhapur Centre won the Runners-up Trophy’. Organizing Committee of NATCON-2009 was felicitated by the President, Ar. Vinay Parelkar.
The participants departed with the nostalgic memories and the message of reinventing vernacular in their design.
Fire Safety Seminar: - One day seminar on ‘Fire Safety’ was jointly organised by Association of Hotels, Nagpur CREDAI, Nagpur and IIA Nagpur Centre on 18th December 2009 at Hotel Centre Point, Nagpur.
Felicitation of Organising committee of NATCON 2009 :Felicitation programme of organising committee of NATCON 2009 was held followed by GB meeting held on Tuesday, 12th January 2010. IIA Lapel pins were pinned to present past chairmen of Nagpur Centre by Chairman Vasant B. Ranade. And later he was presented by lapel pin by Prof. S. A. Deshpande. The members of organizing committee were felicited by the hands of Prof. S. A. Deshpande and Ar. D. L. Naware.
Felicitaion of Prof S. A. Deshpande : Prof. S. A. Deshpande was felicitated by Nagpur Centre for being awarded by MASA Gold Medal for his life time contribution in the field of Architectural Education on 2nd February 2010 at ITPI Hall, Nagpur. During the event Design Studio Competition Awards were presented to the Award winners by Prof. S. A. Deshpande.
World Womens’ Day: On occasion of World Womens’ Day, IIA Nagpur Centre and Department of Architecture, M. M. College of Architecture, Nagpur jointly organised an audio visual programme of Ar. Namitha Singh, Chandigarh at 8th March 2010 at LAD College, Gandhi Nagar, Nagpur. Senior practicing lady architect of Nagpur city Ar. Hema Ranade was felicitated for her contribution in the field of architectural practice during the programme. Members and students of architecture attended the event.
Workshop on Ready Mix Concrete: One day workshop on Ready Mix Concrete was organised jointly by IIA Nagpur Centre, Indian Concrete Institute and Association of Consulting Civil Engineers on 13th March 2010 at Naivedyam Hall, Nagpur for architects and civil engineers of Nagpur city. Ar. Akhtar Chauhan, Mumbai was the Chief Guest. The aim of the programme was to develop awareness of the use of ready mix concrete in the practice.
Exhibition of selected project works:- Like every year, IIA Nagpur Centre organised an exhibition of selected project works of final year students of Nagpur region on 8th and 9th May 2010 at Rabindranath Tagore Art Galley, NIT Sankul, North Ambazari Road, Nagpur. The exhibition was inaugurated by noted architect Virendra Khare at 5.00 PM on 8th May 2010. An exhibition was open for architects, students and general public and was a well attended programme.
Members’ get-together - IIA Foundation Day :- On the occasion of IIA foundation Day, IIA Nagpur Centre organised members’ get together on 12th May 2010 at 7.30 pm at Hotel Heritage, Nagpur. During the programme “Srushti Paryavaran Mandal” Local NGO presented an audio visual show on the ‘Tiger Conservation’. IIA Nagpur Centre donated the sum of 25,000/- to the organisation for this noble cause.
9th Mavlankar Memorial Oration :- It was held on Thursday, 26th August 2010 at Hotel Centre Point, Nagpur. The guest speaker was Ar. Chandra Sen Kapadia, Mumbai. It was well attended programme and sponsored by M/s Airolam Laminates.
Welcome to the world of Architecture and Teacher’s Day : It was organised on 4th September 2010 at ITPI Hall, Nagpur for the first and second year students of architecture. Noted architects from Nagpur city like Ar. S. R. Marathe, Ar. Uday Gadkari, Ar. R. G. Bhambhani and Ar. S. R. Degwekar expressed their remarks regarding the world of architecture. On this occasion teachers were felicitated by IIA Nagpur Centre.
IIA Nagpur Centre – Prof. S. A. Deshpande Design Studio Competition 2010 for the students of 7th Semester Architecture of Nagpur region : Like last year, Nagpur Centre organised this competition for 7th Semester students of architecture. The theme was Civic Centre at Nagpur. The competition problem was a compulsory academic design exercise for the colleges. Final open jury of selected works of students was held on the occasion of World Habitat Day on Monday, 4th October 2010 at Physics assembly hall, VNIT, Nagpur. The jury members were Ar. Ajay Kulkarni from Aurangabad and Ar. Parag Date and Ar. Rajendra Dongre from Nagpur.
Barrier Free Architecture: Local NGO – Indradhanu filed PIL regarding Barrier Free Architecture against local civic authorities as most of the public buildings of Nagpur are not barrier free for the disabled persons. NGO put IIA Nagpur Centre in the role of advisor considering the issue. For that matter Nagpur Centre has taken active initiative considering our role in developing barrier free society and appointed Adv. Avinash Gharote as lawyer from Centre’s side. Ar. Vasant B. Ranade, Chairman IIA and Ar. Paramjeet Sing Ahuja attended the court hearings as representative of Nagpur Centre regarding this matter. In the various meetings held regarding this matter, it was decided that interested architects of our city and the students could participate in doing the analysis of the public buildings to make barrier free architecture.
Future Programmes:
Analysis of public buildings of Nagpur city : regarding barrier free architecture
Rachana 2011 :- To be held during 14th – 17th January 2011 at Ladies Club Lawns, Civil Lines, Nagpur.
Ar. Raviraj L. Sarwate Hon. Secretary - IIA Nagpur Centre
