25 years of good ideas and good taste (page 1)

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Without a mirror one cannot see one's face, and without a responsible journal of architecture, architects have no mirror For a quarter century, Architecture--Design has been that looking glass through which architects, young and old, could see a wide spectrum of their fellow practitioner's Work, and look into their own faces objectively.

Since its beginning, A+D has set standards of quality in terms of content, objective coverage, excellent paper and world-class printing. While advertising is an accepted necessity, this journal did not succumb to the necessities of advertising, keeping those pressures in balance. Thus, over the years we never called A+D a magazine! We could always proudly call A+D a "journal," Where rational work dominated its pages and characterised its world-view.

Until the mid-1980 s India had seen Patwant Singh's 'Design' magazine that was a noble effort in architectural journalism, and the journal of the Indian Institute of Architects, which has faithfully kept us informed of issues and events in our profession. These forerunners paved the way for A+D to act as an independent gallery of high quality, and pace setting architecture. To be published in A+D became the litmus test of "having arrived, and young architects' hearts swelled when they saw their early work on the pages of this revered journal. Even older architects, like me, Smile contentedly when we find our work still qualifies for A+D's pages! Thus, from an experiment initiated by C P Kukreja, Razia Grover and Satish Grover, the A+D matured and grew under its present leadership into a journal where wisdom, diligence and considered decisions have been the watch words. While A+D was maturing, the world of architectural journalism was shrinking to the point Where America can boast of only one such effort.

Respected architectural journalism is the lifeline of the profession. Without thoughtful exposure, clients would have no access, or means to identify good designers. As a personality type, we architects tend to shy away from broadsheets and daily newspapers. We are not the best of public speakers or television personalities. We even cast a critical eye on our friends who jump for attention. Yet without this window onto the world, we would  remain unsung heroes, working silently in our quiet studios. This is especially true for those of us who have emerged from smaller cities, only now emerging as great metros.

(Continues...)

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