Chronicle Of Contemporary Indian Architecture (Page 4)

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There have been numerous landmarks and innovative changes in the course of time. The most recent change is the global 'zing' and slickness it has attained. It not only travels frequently abroad for extensive coverage of the foreign worlds, but also in the process, introduces their architects and their repertoire of Work. And in the bargain, When the magazine becomes more circulated and visible abroad - it takes its Indian content abroad; thus Creating a two-way communication and shrinks global architecture. This is also because of the much more use of imported building materials in all parts of the World than before; and an emerging benchmark of international standard for Quality buildings all over the world.

A+D has also been over the years building many bridges: between students, academics and the professionals in the field, between Indian architecture and international, between architects and urban planners, landscape designers, conservation architects and other players that comprise the experts who transform our cities, pastoral areas and the relatively untouched landscapes. The magazine has Started this wonderful tradition of "Chit Chat" - almost like architectural Chintan, bringing issues to the fore, debating, discussing, design discoursing with introspections and meditations. A+D has also tried to humanize architecture by publishing frequent art and photography features and also debating on ethical issues for the profession-though guardedly!

But there is a long road ahead. Very few books on Indian architecture and planning by contemporary writers are available. Our schools of architecture depend heavily on foreign publications as text and reference works. So much work has happened in the last 60 years - yet We have documented, Critiqued, debated very little. More publications and books need to be published and reviewed.

Also, A+D could take up the next step as a media by digitalising its content, going online and making its archives available on payments. It can also perhaps, later, make meaningful videos and short films on architectural projects. Foremost of all, it can take the lead in starting a roundtable of architectural Writers and journalists for ideas Sharing-more unsparing but healthy criticism of projects. Good architectural journalism/Criticism must now get formalised and taken seriously to the Schools, other professional forums and institutes. In fact, it should become an essential part of the course structures. A profession that does not do honest Self-introspection will gradually become intellectually impoverished.

When I look at all my bound volumes of all past and present issues of A+D resting grandly in my study, see hope. See contemporary history of Indian architecture - a chronicle of what our generation has done. The future has to be written down now.
The End.

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