Happymiles Outdoor Learning’s Post

How Crucial is Culture in Shaping Regional Design & Architecture ? Exploring the architecture of a region goes beyond mere aesthetics; it's about delving into the very soul of its culture. Recently, our students had the incredible opportunity to witness the Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat in Varanasi. This experience highlighted how deeply intertwined culture is with architecture. Understanding local traditions and beliefs not only enriches our appreciation of design but also shapes how we approach architectural innovation. #ArchitectureStudents #ArchitectureEducation #ArchitecturalDesign #CulturalArchitecture #Varanasi #GangaAarti #ArchitecturalInnovation #CultureAndDesign #ArchitectureFaculty #ArchitecturalHeritage #BuiltEnvironment

Shaping Safer Cities through Architecture! The Department of Architecture at NIT Hamirpur, in collaboration with AIESEC, successfully hosted a one-day workshop focused on Creating Crime-Free Cities through Architectural Innovations. The workshop highlighted how thoughtful urban design and strategic planning can play a pivotal role in fostering safer and more inclusive communities. Experts and participants explored innovative approaches to integrate safety measures into city layouts, public spaces, and infrastructure. This initiative represents a powerful step toward blending architectural excellence with social responsibility, paving the way for a more secure and harmonious urban future. 🌍 #ArchitectureForChange #CrimeFreeCities #UrbanDesign #NITHamirpur #AIESEC

 The Unspoken Language of Architecture: How Local Dialects Shape Design ? Architecture - it’s a dialogue with the community, right? This conversation with the community is a continuous process throughout the entire journey of a building. Conversing in the local dialect during this journey is a powerful yet often underestimated tool. It is a thread that seamlessly weaves a project into its context. Having had the privilege to work across India's diverse landscapes, I've experienced the transformative power of embracing local dialects: 🔍 Kashmir - AIIMS Pulwama: Breaking the ice with a warm 'Adaab' is essential. It's more than a greeting; it opens doors. 🌱 Uttar Pradesh - Medical College, Sonbhadra: A grand 'Namaskar' is a must if you want to move your project forward. 🌵 Gujarat - Hospitality District, Ektanagar: While entering a boardroom, just say "Kem Cho," and half the battle is won. 🏙️ Delhi - Mixed-Use Project: A simple 'hi' speaks volumes in the bustling capital. 🌾 Punjab - Group Housing: 'Sat Sri Akal' is more than a hello; it's a salute to Punjab's rich heritage. Trust me, nothing else works in this belt. I also believe that when you use local dialects, you show a lot of commitment to creating designs that are deeply rooted in the context. Sometimes it's the key to unlocking the soul of a project. #Architecture #LocalDialects #DesignWithSoul #CulturalConnection #BuildingCommunities Like and share if you believe that embracing local dialects enriches the architectural narrative.

To honor #WorldArchitectureDay this year, we spoke with our teams across studios to explore the innovation, creativity, and vision that transform spaces into places of meaning and inspiration. In today’s conversation, we explore this year’s World Architecture Day theme—Participatory Urban Design—through a project case study – our more recently inaugurated project, Infosys Campus in Nagpur. We delve into: What does this theme encompass? Why is it important in the context of contemporary urban development? As an instrument for cities to become more resilient and sustainable, a participatory process can help shape a landscape that is diverse, inclusive, and transparent for those who inhabit it. Aligned with this year’s theme—Empowering the Next Generation to Participate in Urban Design—our teams share ideas on how to foster conversations about creating urban spaces that are not only functional and efficient but also socially just, culturally vibrant, and environmentally sustainable. These conversations are a part of our ongoing series #PeoplePoweredPlaces #mDesign #mThink #Morphogenesis (world architecture day, urban space, sustainable design, future habitat, community, liveability, city design) . #worldarchitectureday #urbanspace #sustainable #design #futurecity #liveablehabitat #communityliving #liveability #citydesign #cities #urbandesign #architecture #worldarchitectureweek #celebratingdesign

Culture informs context. When woven into the designs, these influences represent both the history and foresight of the environment they belong to. The redevelopment of Ayodhya to envision a 21st-century blueprint demanded a futuristic approach that also looked at the tiniest nuances of this ancient town and its established values. Monumental expansions like that of the Sarayu riverfront, hospitality avenues, and marketplaces contribute to the fast-evolving cultural icon. The design seamlessly unifies with the socio-political context by adapting to its emerging needs. [Cultural Spaces, Ayodhya Redevelopment, Saryu River Redevelopment, Heritage Icons] #CPKA #DesignPhilosophy #Ayodhya #UttarPradesh #SustainableCities #UrbanPlanning #MasterPlanning #UrbanDesign #IndianArchitecture #Renovation #IndianArchitects #BuiltEnvironment #Design #Innovation #DesignInspiration #ArchitectureAndDesign #Sustainability #SustainableArchitecture

The exchange of ideas among industry leaders on visual expression in architecture and design at the recently concluded Smart Design Conclave & Awards in Guwahati was incredibly inspiring. Here’s a glimpse of the panel discussion. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights! Rittick Hazarika Design Associates Aiban S Mawkhroh Lalrinzuala Ralte Catalyst Architecture 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 Priyam Ballav Goswami magnidus design pvt. ltd. 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐦𝐨𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐬 Alstone #event #buildingmaterialreporter #architecture #architects #panellists #brands #paneldiscussion #interiordesign #construction #discussion #smartex #smartdesignconclave #guwahati #northeast #india

One of the most exciting opportunities for the architectural community in India today is the chance to elevate design beyond commodification, embracing innovation and creativity to craft spaces that are both meaningful and impactful. As cities expand, the emphasis on fast-tracked and cost-efficient projects opens avenues to rethink architectural strategies. Many developments today embrace innovative designs that prioritise the unique needs of communities, creating spaces that harmonise with their context, heritage, and environment. This thoughtful approach ensures that each space reflects the distinct character of its surroundings, fostering a deeper connection with those who live and work within them. As architects and urban planners, we realise that design isn’t merely about fulfilling functional requirements or deadlines and crafting spaces integrated into their socio-environmental contexts. I see value in slowing down the design process, focusing on innovation, and re-engaging with the communities we design for, creating a sense of belonging through our work. Speaking of engaging with communities, here is a look at our upcoming Railway Station in Vishakhapatnam, taking shape through the dedicated efforts of Nishant Prakhar, Chief Architect and Planner; Mohammad Ahmad, Senior Town Planner; Ar. Abhishek Gupta, Architect, and the entire design team. #Architecture #UrbanPlanning #SustainableDesign #ArchitectureForTheFuture #IndianCities #GPMArchitects

ARCHITECTURAL PLACISM? The other day, a friend talked about her case study—a museum in Bihar designed by a renowned Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki. Her first reaction? “I didn’t expect Bihar to have such a fancy building!” This got me thinking: Why do we associate certain places with specific architectural characters? Why does a “fancy building” feel out of place in Bihar but seem natural in a metro like Mumbai or Delhi? Every city or region carries an architectural identity—its placeness. Think of Jaipur’s pink facades, Venice’s dreamy canals, or even Chandni Chowk’s chaos. These elements create a sense of belonging, making places instantly recognizable. I’ve been calling this Architectural Placism—how we emotionally connect with the identity of a place through its built environment. But here’s the catch: Are we holding onto this sense of placeness or erasing it as architects and designers? In today’s race for modernization, we often trade local character for globalized, cookie-cutter aesthetics. The result? Cities that look the same everywhere, but feel like nowhere. So, what’s the way forward? Can we design in a way that respects and celebrates the soul of a place while still embracing innovation? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this! #placemaking #architecturalidentity #design

🌱"Redefining Development: Embracing Gandhi's Vision for Sustainable Futures" 🏙 Mahatma Gandhi's call to "go to the village" (चला खेड्याकडे) remains as pertinent today as it was in his time. ⏳ Despite the majority of our population residing in villages and the dense clustering of these settlements according to the natural topography, our approach to development continues to disregard decentralization. Yet, decentralization, with its recognition of diversity in all aspects, offers a more sustainable path forward, saving energy and benefiting the environment. 🌎 However, the reality for architects is one of grappling with the challenges posed by rapid urbanization. With practices predominantly focused on cities and facing fierce competition, architects often find themselves merely trying to survive rather than offering innovative solutions. Compounding this is the haphazard planning prevalent in many cities, which neglects our rural roots and strengths. 💪 Furthermore, villages suffer from the consequences of misguided urbanization experiments, exacerbating their plight. 😥 To address these issues and chart a more balanced course for development, we must heed Gandhi's wisdom and prioritize the revitalization of our villages. 💡 Only by embracing the lessons learned from creating smart villages can we hope to build truly smart cities. 🌇 This shift in focus not only preserves our cultural heritage but also fosters inclusive growth and sustainability, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come. 🚀 _ Sidharth Dixit Architect and Interior designer #architecture #developement #india #nationbuilding #mahatmagandhi #smartcity #smartvillage #solution #architects #policies #envirnment