“ACCOMODATING THE MELANGE”

National Level Competition

For Students of Architecture and Young Architects

THE OPPORTUNITY:
Public spaces and buildings have an intimate relationship with the shaping up of a cultural identity
of a place. The scenario in a country like India is specially highlighted with the interesting stories of
rich heritage found at just about every other street corner.

“ACCOMODATING THE MELANGE” brings you the opportunity to shape such lively spaces that
have layers from different times within and around; an opportunity to articulate a vocabulary to
herald your city, your identity. This design competition theme aims to carry forward the idea of
architecture being beyond just buildings, to highlight the deep connection architecture has with the
cultural heritage of the city. The intent is also to provoke alternative thinking about architecture and
heritage - how do we leap into the future while looking at the past, even while being in harmony
with the present for now.

THE PLATFORM:
Pune Biennale is a confluence and mosaic of multiple disciplines like architecture, urban design,
urban planning, visual arts, crafts and so on. As the name suggests, the event happens every two
years. The theme of Pune Biennale 2015 is ‘Heritage’ and will be held from 6th to 15th February
2015, hosting a wide range of activities like, installations, street art, competitions, documentations,
demonstrations, talk shows, etc. One of these is “Accommodating the Mélange” – a competition for
students and young professionals. For further information log on to website details provided at the
end.

THE THOUGHT:
As much a part of the modern global civilization that we are today, we are also much attached to our
history, culture and heritage. Tradition is integrated into our day-to-day ethos, living and our living
contexts. The objective of this competition is to design interventions in such heritage spaces in the
city, which can help contemporary activities, fit well into the niches of precious reminders of our
past and also chalking the road map for the future.

However nostalgic we get, there is no denying the outburst of a new global contemporary aesthetic
in even the narrowest of streets today. At the same time, the adjacency of such spaces to the
sometimes forgotten relics and antiques of the cities mark an interesting process of evolution. Our
streets, plazas, public buildings are almost like living timelines on the face of our cities. Cities like
Jaipur, New Delhi and Hyderabad (among hundreds of others) are such living examples where the
old city and the new city reside next to each other, giving an intriguing image of old and new,
yesterday and today. Mostly, what we see today is an amalgamated product of different aesthetics,
layers of livelihood and opinions. But are they in peaceful co-existence or at war with each other!
That is the quandary that needs to be resolved.

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Understanding this unique relationship of aesthetics spanning different periods of time in a multi-
dimensional public cross-section is the key to this competition. The product we believe is going to
be a vibrant happy space where the space encourages social interaction and in turn these activities
resonate and highlight the space in a myriad hues coming together.

THE PROJECT:

This is a design ideation project!

The objective is “to design/ redesign a public building or a space in the historic
core of a city” where it has to respect the rich heritage of the place while responding
to contemporary needs of the society in that place.
The participants are to choose a site in a city/town of their choice. There is no area restriction since
the idea could be best established in a heritage building, a street, a square or even in a whole
neighbourhood. The team should select a site carefully which:

• Has heritage value, new construction either completed or proposed

• Has scope to illustrate the contrast / evolution in time as seen on that site and to incorporate
plans for the future
• Has potential to become an active public space

Since this is only an ideation project, the participants need not to indulge in construction details. At
the same time, the project is to be a feasible and practical idea and not a utopian situation.

THE PARTICIPANTS:
The competition is open to all students of architecture and young architects from India (those who
have graduated in the last 3 years). The team size would be a maximum of 3 members. The team
could be a combination of students and architects too. One of the team members can also be an artist
or an engineer (student/ one who has graduated in last three years).

THE SUBMISSION:
The submission can take any form ranging from digital presentation to virtual models at an
appropriate scale. The best entries will be invited to exhibit scaled models at the architecture
pavilion in the biennale. More details on where the submission has to be sent and the dates for
submission would be announced shortly.

A maximum of 4 A3 sheets are allowed including the cover sheet. Please add a description about
the ways in which your proposal broadly contributes to: a) surrounding built environment, b)
sustainable development, c) social equity, d) ease of access to the physically challenged; and/or any
other significant manner.

TO REGISTER:
Please log on to http://ethosindia.in/events/other-­‐events/index.php

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For registration related queries, please write to rama@ethosindia.in

For brief and submission related queries, visit www.punebiennale.org / please write to

Amol Holey,
Pune Biennale Secretariat
Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Architecture
Bharati Vidyapeeth Campus
Pune-Satara Road, Dhankavadi
Pune- 411043
Email : amolholey@gmail.com
Mobile : 09545639980

THE AWARD:
The three best entries will receive prize worth Rs 15,000 each

The ten best entries will be invited to exhibit their designs at a pavilion in the Biennale. The winners
will receive a travelling grant covering their travel and 2 days accommodation in Pune to participate
in the biennale in February 2015.

Pune Biennale will be happy to provide exhibition space for those participants who would like to
come and display their entries in Pune during the Biennale. However, all costs associated with their
participation will have to be borne by them.

THE JURY:
Prof. Dr. T.C. Chang Heritage Expert, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Narendra Dengle Eminent Architect and Academic, Pune
Pradeep Sachdeva Nationally acclaimed Architect-Urban Designer, Delhi
Dr. Ajay Agarwal School of Urban and Regaional Planning, Queens University, Canada
Abhay Sardesai Editor, ART India, & Chair of Humanities, Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi
Institute of Architecture, Mumbai.
Kashef Chowdhury Urbana Consortium, Dhaka, Bangladesh

IMPORTANT DATES:
Last date for registration: 12th December 2014
Last date for submission: 21st December 2014
Declaration of results/ announcements: 7th January 2015
Dates for 2nd Pune Biennale: 6th - 15th February 2015

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REFERENCE SITE EXAMPLES :
On the one hand there are spaces like:
1. Galle’s colonial streets, Sri Lanka – A Dutch fort next to the sea, conserved to maintain the beautiful Dutch houses
and streets. Most residents’ source of income in tourist accommodation, cafeterias, galleries, etc.
2. Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan – A living fort, which accommodates the current livelihood of its residents as well as
tourist attractions.
3. Gateway of India, Mumbai – A vibrant and loud public space, almost like the heartbeat of the fast paced city of
Mumbai.
4. Fort Kochi streets, Cochin – Portuguese and Dutch influence on the buildings and street furniture. A very pedestrian
friendly neighborhood with active street cafés and restaurants.
5. Kankaria Lake Front, Ahmedabad - A vibrant urban space for all ages
6. Banganga Tank, Mumbai - A prominent public platform for cultural performances
7. Nizzamuddin Basti Urban Renewal Project - A project that combines conservation with environmental and socio-
economic development while working with local communities and stakeholders.
8. Palika Bazaar, Connaught Place, Delhi - An air conditioned marker under a large public open space

And on the other hand we have places like:

1. Louvre in Paris – where I.M.Pei’s glass pyramid sits in the midst of antiquity
2. Tadao Ando’s Kimbell Art museum standing respectfully adjacent to Louis Kahn’s masterpiece.

There are thousands of such spaces in India, which are already serving well the purpose of
public space. People enjoy “hanging out” in such areas, but rarely are aware of the heritage
value attached to this place. The intent of this competition is to bring out to limelight these rare
places and evolve an ideal way to encourage public awareness in appreciating the heritage value
of our cities.

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