Scottish-Ghanaian architect Lesley Lokko is giving a platform to voices that have long been silenced at this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale, which opened Saturday, the first ever curated by an African, featuring a preponderance of work by Africans and the African diaspora. The 18th architectural Biennale, titled “The Laboratory of the Future,” explores decolonization and decarbonization, topics about which Africans have much to say, Lokko said, citing the long exploitation of the continent for both human and environmental resources. A view of "Coastal Imaginaries" installation at the Denmark pavilion, at the Biennale International Architecture exhibition, in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) “The Black body was Europe’s first unit of energy,”...
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Architect Gita Balakrishnan walks from Kolkata to Delhi encouraging architects to improve and empower through design and bring a focus on Gender Inclusive Design Historically, architecture & design have interlaced with the needs of the community to define the social fabric of each era. As time progressed, different ecological challenges and metropolitan risks came into the picture which evolved the role of architecture too. So, when it comes to creating an equitable and inclusive society, the responsibility falls to the gatekeepers of the field – our architects to keep social responsibility at the centre of their profession. Architect Gita Balakrishnan has spent the last 20 years of her life bringing together prospects and people in the student, professional fraternity and the i...
Read MoreStudy shows how changing chemistry in Roman mortar strengthens the tomb over time Over time, concrete cracks and crumbles. Well, most concrete cracks and crumbles. Structures built in ancient Rome are still standing, exhibiting remarkable durability despite conditions that would devastate modern concrete. One of these structures is the large cylindrical tomb of first-century noblewoman Caecilia Metella. New research shows that the quality of the concrete of her tomb may exceed that of her male contemporaries’ monuments because of the volcanic aggregate the builders chose and the unusual chemical interactions with rain and groundwater with that aggregate over two millennia. “The construction of this very innovative and robust monument and landmark on the Via Appia Antica indic...
Read MoreCelebrate Scotland this Burns Night 2021 with a twist! 25th January is a highlight of Scotland’s winter calendar- it is the day that Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, is celebrated on his birthday with an evening of traditional food, drink and poetry. Although now is not the time to explore Scotland in person, there is nothing stopping Scotland fans from far and wide getting involved with the celebrations! In 2021, you can either throw your very own Burns Supper, put a spin on the classic and whip up a delicious Burns brunch, attend virtual events and raise a toast to the Bard of Scotland both virtually and in real life! This bronze statue was unveiled in 1892 and depicts Robert Burns (the national bard) holding a daisy in ode to the Poem ‘To a Mountain Daisy’. It stan...
Read Moreदक्षिण भारत के कलात्मक इतिहास में पल्लवों की वास्तु व मूर्तिकला का अत्यंत गौरवपूर्ण स्थान है। इनकी गुफाएं, मंदिर और स्थापत्य भारतीय कला में एक नए अध्याय का सृजन करते हैं। धवल हिमालय से सुदुर दक्षिण में लेकिन नीले समुद्र से थोड़ा उत्तर का भू-प्रदेश अपने अंदर द्रविड़ सभ्यता व संस्कृति की विरासत को बचा कर रख पाने में सफल रहा है। कावेरी की गोद में पली द्रविड सभ्यता का केंद्र ‘तमिलकम प्रदेश’ यानि आज का तमिलनाडु अपने साथ इंसानी मेहनत और उसकी साकार हुई अनूठी कल्पना को सहेजे हुए है, जो पुरातन युग में पत्थरों को तराश कर बनाए गए मंदिरों के रूप में मौजूद हैं। शिल्पियों के औजारों से निकलने वाले अनवरत संगीत के दौर में इंसान की कल्पना को यथार्थ की जमीन मिली और ललित कला की एक खास शैली ने जन्म लिया। सामूहिक श्रम से उपजी इस शैली को द्रविड़ शैली का नाम दिया गया। दक्षिण भारत के पूर्वी भाग मे...
Read MoreInterGlobe Foundation and Aga Khan Trust for Culture complete the restoration of mausoleum Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan wasn’t just one of the navratnas of Akbar’s court, he was one of the important pillars of India’s cultural heritage. Till date, our children grow up by remembering his couplets in school days. They are still part of our social discourse. Restored Tomb of Rahim dazzling in night But besides his literary persona, he was also a brilliant architect. Rahim also patronised the construction of monumental buildings - canals, tanks, enclosed gardens in Agra, Lahore, Delhi and Burhanpur, among other Indian cities. One of the famous water supply systems of those times ‘Kundi Bhandara’ at Burhanpur was credited to him. So, no surprise that he built a marvellous mausoleum for h...
Read MoreOne has only heard stories of Mughal splendour, their imposing palaces, lavish banquets and grand lifestyles. The only way to fully comprehend this extravagant lifestyle, is to actually live it.The medieval charm of Agra acts as a befitting backdrop to ITC Mughal - nestled amidst 23 Acres of luxurious gardens it has the distinction of being the winner of the First Aga Khan Award for Architectural Excellence, in Asia, in 1980 and till date, the only Indian Hotel to have won this prestigious International recognition. Reconstructing the Mughal splendor The Aga Khan Award states, “A splendid redbrick edifice that blends beautifully with the city’s landscape, the hotel's unique architecture draws inspiration from the 16th Century Architectural Marvel - The Fatehpur Sikri and thus recrea...
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