ARCHITECTURAL INDUSTRY IN THE NEXT
25 YEARS ACCORDING TO ME
In the
practical field, other than high end large scale projects, the role of an
Architect has been diminished significantly. Take for example a G+4
Co-operative housing that I have currently worked on during my training period,
I felt the design was more driven in a direction to shell out money from the
clients, using superficial substance to trigger the demand and using adjectives
to describe the building, just for the sake of selling it at a much higher
price than it actually deserves.
None of us
are fools around here, one way or the other, people would definitely figure out
that they have been cheated once they start living in such houses, because
there isn't something special about it, and definitely not something
that has been described by the builder. And I’m not just talking the project
that I was associated with, this has been the case with most of the
practicing architectural firms that contributes to this whole new eco system
that we have created over the time.
According
the current ruling by the World Bank, India is now an officially low middle
income Country, people do not have money to employ an architect to build their
house. We (Architects) are very expensive to be hired, and those of the lucky
ones who gets paid, they often end up working in the investor’s terms, hence
the outcome is also of a very inferior quality. The quality as I speak relates
to both physical and experiential. I have myself seen both the cases.
If this
trend continues to grow, and I believe it would certainly grow, because why
not! Then we are in for a much tougher time ahead. The Architectural Industry
is about to take a big blow in terms of the number of employed versus the
unemployed. Even worse than the current situation.
This
article is getting to be very disheartening now, and it is
true, because such is the case with us (the students and the
professionals).
MY TAKE ON
THE SUBJECT
I do not
believe in changing anything at a large scale, i would become
a professional and not a political neta, therefore i have kept my hopes
very subtle. My personal take on Architecture, especially in India is that,
people (the newer ones) likes to talk of all the fancy stuffs without having a
prior background on the technicality, how that can be build, as a result many
of the projects just remain in a 1920 X 1080p screen.
I would
like to encourage the budding architects and students to have a much in-depth
knowledge in the construction industry, in the limitations that we face, in the
technicalities and of course the design part.
Once, a
person have acquired knowledge up to a certain appreciable stage and is able to
apply that in his/her own design, and is very thorough with the basics, then
he/she can build upon it, and keep on making it better. In that way, I may as
well would be able to contribute to the society in terms of knowledgeable as
well as practical architects who would like to think out of the box, but would
come up with design ideas that are down to earth.
And in that
way, maybe we can separate the practical from the (impractical) less
knowledgeable ones, thereby gaining our trust in the industry and solve the
problem of unemployment in our sector.
Architect’s
Act 1972
Clause No. 19 – The Executive
Committee shall, subject to regulations, if any, made by the council, appoint
such number of inspectors as it may deem requisite to inspect any college or
institution where architectural education is given or to attend any examination
held by any college or institution for the purpose of recommending to the
Central Government recognition of architectural qualifications granted by that
college of institution.
This is a regulatory clause to check on the institutions
imparting Architectural education in India. This clause mandates supervision
visits to institutions in order to check the quality of education, examinations
held by that institute and submit a report based on the observations. It is
directed in the subsequent parts of clause, that the inspectors who are
appointed shall not interfere with conduct of any training or examination.
Clause 21 –
The Council may prescribe the minimum standards of architectural education
required for granting recognised qualifications by colleges or institutes in
India.
It is mandatory for the Council to prescribe minimum
standards for Architectural Education. We are going to be professionals, and
there is no margin for error, once you’re in the field. We must have a minimum
standard, any institute or college which do not meet the minimum standard, the
council must exercise its power to de-recognise the institute. SPA Delhi has
been a victim of de-recognition by Council of Architecture, the body gives
registration certificate to the fresh graduates only after official visits made
by the council every year.
Government
Buildings (Projects) X 3
1. AIRPORT
AUTHORITY OF INDIA (BID NO.l000014193)
Construction of ATC Tower and Technical
Block at NSCBI Airport Kolkata at an Estimated cost of Rs.306.00 cr. with a period of completion
(30 Thirty) months including 4 months
considered for rainy season. The scope of work
includes Technical office block (B+G+9 floor) and Control Tower approximate
112.00mt height.
Tender fee of Rs.57, 250/-
will be required to be paid by way of online payment through HDFC gateway
provided at the portal itself. EMD Value has been kept at 3.31 Crore rupees.
Last Date and time of sale
of Tender documents through AAI e-Portal – 23.02.2016, 17:30 Hrs.
Tender Selection Criteria and Process:
·
Every submission, including the earnest money
deposit (EMD) is done through e-portal, there by maximising transparency in the
selection process.
·
Qualifying Requirements for the tenders includes
–
·
Agency
should have Permanent Account Number (PAN).
·
Work
experience: The bidders
will be qualified only if they have satisfactorily completed (# Phase/Part completion of the scope of work
in a contract shall not be considered, however pre-determined phasing of the
work will be accepted) Work(s) during last seven years ending on 31-12-2015 in
India as given below:
·
At
least one work of similar nature of value of INR Rs.245.00 Cr. Or more.
Or
·
Two
works of similar nature each of value of INR Rs.153.00 Cr. Or more.
Or
·
Three
works of similar nature each of value of INR Rs.122.00 Cr. Or more. Work of Similar nature shall mean
Construction of Non Residential High Rise building minimum 70.0mt high / ATC
Tower/ 5 Star Hotel Building/ Large Commercial/Office Complex during last 7
years ending on 31.12.2015. Client certificate for experience should show the
value of work, date of start, date of completion as per agreement, actual date
of completion and satisfactory completion of work.
2. CHANDIGARH MUNICIPAL
CORPORATION
Construction of 3 storied residential
building at
an Estimated cost of Rs.1.6 cr. with a period of completion (24 Twenty Four) months. The scope of work includes soil testing, civil works in the form
of foundation casting, brick work, earth work, slab casting, electrical works
etc. EMD is 2% of the quoted rates.
Tender fee of Rs.6, 700/-
will be required to be paid by way of online payment through HDFC gateway
provided at the portal itself.
Tender Selection Criteria and Process:
TENDERING NOTES - It may be noted by the intending contractors that
in event of the any of the following discrepancies, the tender will be
summarily rejected and no claim what- so- ever shall be entertained:
1. Non-submission
of bids as per prescribed "Mode of tendering".
2. The tenders
without earnest money or EMD not of the full value.
3. None quoting
the rates in figures as well as in words.
4. The
submission of conditional tenders.
5. The quoting of
rates in any other pattern or lump sum for all the items instead of item wise rate.
Terms and Conditions
The offers of only those
firms/contractors shall be accepted who have executed the woks of similar
nature and magnitude successfully and also submit the earnest money of
requisite value.
APPROVAL OF MATERIALS:-
·
No material of any kind will be issued by the
department for execution of the work and all type of material including cement,
steel and aggregates etc. will have to be arranged by the contractor himself.
·
The material to be used should conform to
relevant I.S. specifications with up to date amendments and should be of
reputed makes. The material brought if not of good quality and makes and to the
satisfaction of EIC, shall be rejected and the contractor shall have to replace
the same at his own cost.
The Engineer-in-charge reserves
the right to accept or reject any/all tenders without assigning any reason.
The contractor shall comply with
the provision of the contractor labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970
and the rules made under as extended by the contractor labour (Regulation &
Abolition) Rules, 1974.
The payment would be made as per
actual work done on item rate basis after deduction of 5% security and other
charges etc.
The income Tax and other statuary
taxes etc. shall be deducted from the contractor’s bills as per Govt. rules.
The payment on account of water
charges @ 1.5% of the value of the work done shall be recovered from the
running bills.
The contractor, whose tender is accepted, shall be
required to furnish security at the rate of five percent of the cost of the
work, by deductions from the running bills; (three percent of the total cost to
cover liability of defects and short comings and two percent of the total cost
for the winding up the contract satisfactory). The earnest money if realized
from the Bank, or Treasury will be treated as part of the security deposit.
3. AIRPORT
AUTHORITY OF INDIA (BID NO. 1000010636)
Item rate tenders are
invited through the e-tendering portal https://etender.aai.aero/irj/portal
by
Jt. General Manager Engg (Civil), AAI, Civil Air Terminal, Chandigarh-160003 on behalf of CEO, Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL), from authorized Godrej Dealers for the work of “Development of Chandigarh International Airport
(Mohali Side).SH:-Construction of Jeepable Approach Path from Service Yard to Dog
Kennel”. At an estimated cost of Rs 39.45 Lacs. Time allowed: 02 Months.
Tender fee of Rs.572/- will be required to be paid by way
of online payment through HDFC gateway provided at the portal itself. Last date and time of sale of
tender document is 03.08.2015 up to
1730 Hrs.
Qualifying requirements of
contractors / firms:
Should have valid Registration on the Date
of issue of Tender in appropriate class of CPWD /MES /P&T/ Railways /State
PWD/PSU/ Municipal Corporations & Development Authorities of Delhi, Mumbai,
Chennai and Kolkata(OR
Agency specialized in similar nature of
work and Registered with Registrar of Companies/Firms/Central
Govt./State Govt.) and having
Permanent Account Number (PAN). Not more than one Tender shall be submitted by
a contractor or by a firm of contractors.
Should have satisfactorily
completed (#Phase/Part completion of the scope of work in a contract shall not
be considered, however
pre-determined phasing of the work will be
accepted) work
experience will be evaluated on annual basis, three works, each of 40% ( Rs. 15.78 Lacs ) or two works, each of 50% (Rs. 19.73 Lacs) or one work of 80% (Rs. 31.56 Lacs) of estimated cost in single contract of similar nature of work
during the last seven years ending on last date (extended date if any) of
submission of bids in India.
Client Certificate for experience
should show the nature of work done, the value of work, date of start, date of
completion as per agreement, actual date of completion and satisfactory
completion of work. (Firm
showing work experience certificate from Non Govt.
/Non PSU organizations should submit copy of tax deduction at source certificate in support of their claim for having
experience of stipulated value of works).
Should have annualized average
financial turnover of 30%
(Rs.11.84 Lacs) against
works executed during the last three years ending 31st March of the previous financial year. As
a proof, copy of Abridged Balance Sheet along with Profit and Loss Account statement
of the firm should be submitted along with the application. Firms showing continuous
losses during the last three years in the balance sheet shall be summarily rejected.
SUMMARY
There has been a
lot of criteria made for the contractors who would bid for the projects. The
criteria’s has been aggressively documented in order to ensure the best bidders
takes part in the project. Since the International Airport’s Control tower, and
the Jeepable road construction in Chandigarh Airport requires superior
workmanship quality. There would be zero tolerance in compromising of quality
of workmanship, and inability to deliver on time.
Client Certificate for experience
should show the nature of work done, the value of work, date of start, date of
completion as per agreement, actual date of completion and satisfactory
completion of work.
The participating
firms are asked to show their assets ,turnovers and previous similar projects,
they have worked on, is taken as a criteria for security and competence, for
instance if in any case, the participating firm (Construction company) fails to
deliver on time and miss any deadline, the government can amend fines for
inability to deliver.
Every submission, including the
earnest money deposit (EMD) is done through e-portal, there by maximising
transparency in the selection process. These are flagship projects of national importance,
commissioned by AAI, therefore such a transparent and a rigorous process of
evaluation and selection are advocated for these types of projects.
I could only get my hands on the detail
project report for the 3 Storeyed building commissioned by Chandigarh Municipal
Corporation. They have ensured a good quality control over procurement of
material to class of mason to the workmanship quality, the material to
be used should conform to relevant I.S. specifications with up to date
amendments and should be of reputed makes
– everything has been mentioned in the DPR.
The earnest money would be used as security
deposit in excess with 5% of the total cost of the project three percent of the
total cost to cover liability of defects and short comings and two percent of
the total cost for the winding up the contract satisfactory) .They have also
mentioned the contractors to follow the labour laws prescribed by Government of
India, such that there is less chance of exploitation of labours, and in any
worst case scenario, the contractor would be held responsible, so any type of
legal actions will be taken against the contractor and not the client.
Architectural
competition Entries (National/International) X3
Call for Entries: Building the Border Wall?
Fact: A
patchwork of walls, fences and 20,000 Border Patrol agents already exist at the
US Mexican Border.
The following are
modifications to clarify the nature of the competition, which are as follows:
1.
A question mark [?] has been added to the title to
indicate that the competition is not strictly calling for the design of a wall.
2.
The brief and challenge have been updated to
clarify that this competition and the organizers are "politically
neutral" on the subject. The organisers are neither for, nor against,
building a border wall.
3.
The competition is seeking innovative and thought provoking
solutions, ideas, concepts to a very real issue. The challenges, environmental
issues and problems are numerous.
4.
The organisers are building a diverse jury. The
current participants and images are "place holders" to show the kind
of diversity in the jury selection they are hoping to achieve. When the jury is
complete this section will be updated.
5.
John Beckmann from Axis Mundi, is chief organizer and
liaison for the Third Mind Foundation. He is acting on the organisation’s
behalf and will be a non-voting member of the jury. No one from the Foundation,
nor immediate friends, family, and so forth, will be participating on the jury,
or the competition itself.
6.
The Third Mind Foundation is a group of architects,
designers and artists, who wish to remain anonymous. This is their first
organized competition. Any profits after expenses will be used for a future
competition in 2017. Or they will increase the amount of the awards as the
competition progresses.
Call for Entries: Nupath Sculpture Competition
The project is to design a single
sculpture or installation that could be dynamically multiplied on site. The
outdoor space is located on the back green space of the building, located in
147 New Boston Street in Woburn, MA and it is currently being planned as the Outdoor Sculpture Park.
With the innovative and creative ideas from art and architecture students, the organizers are seeking help to memorialize people that were part of the Nupath
family.
Nupath is a company that would like
to build a relationship with the artist or designer. The prizes include
a $1,000 award and a feature on NuPath's website. The idea also can have the
possibility of being built in later phases.
3D Representation of the participant’s Ideas
A 3D rendering on a computer software
or a photograph of a physical 3-D model needs to be entered. This will show the
judges how the participant’s ideas can be transformed into a physical, three dimensional
product that can be viewed clearly. The photos/drawings should include material
choices, colors, and general scale.
Description of the participant’s idea
Describe an idea that can be directly
related to the Nupath organization and the idea of memorializing loved ones.
The length of the description is dependent on the designer. It should be clear
and concise.
Construction
The artist shall provide a concept description, dimensioned or scaled
drawing of the idea.
Location
The organisers would like to indicate where the
sculpture or installation will be located. This can be done on the site plan or
as a photo shopped image of the 3D renderings.
Format
To enter, one must provide the information and the
participants will receive an email confirming their entry. All entries should
be on 8 1/2" x 11" (A4) and submitted digitally. Format can include
PDF, JPG, MPG, MOV, RVT, DWG, SKP, etc...
The organisers are looking forward to seeing all the amazing work!
The organisers are looking forward to seeing all the amazing work!
Winner
One winner will be selected to win
the competition. The winner will be chosen by NuPath and the judges and their
design will be on display for a year on NuPath's website. The presentation can
be of any digital format. The winner will be notified by email if they are
chosen.
Venue:
Woburn, MA
At Eurostars Hotels, the
organisers have a strong commitment to development. This time, they have
undertaken to a new challenge: reinventing the concept of “hotel”. To that end,
they have designed Hotel Lab, their First Innovation and Design Contest of
Hotel Spaces. They are inviting the interested ones to design the furniture for
one room that meets travellers’ present and future requirements. Over the next
months, this room will become the participant’s think tank.
Create innovative solutions, do experiments and design the perfect room.
The judges of Hotel Lab will choose the project that reflects the best
innovation spirit of Eurostars Hotels.
Elements to be designed
To be part in the contest, you have to design the furniture for one room
including these four pieces:
1.
Double bed
with headboard (mattress is not needed)
2.
Wardrobe
3.
Luggage
carrier
4.
Workspace
(chairs are not needed)
Furthermore, one can add all the additional elements they wish: lighting
equipment, TV, music, curtains… One can share out the space as they want,
bearing always in mind the guests experience, since they need to move
comfortably. The participants will have a total of 28 Sqm: 24 Sqm will be used
for the room and 4 Sqm for the bathroom which is not to be designed.
From avant-garde international skylines to the classical tradition of
palatial buildings, each experience in Eurostars ensures a unique and special
stay.
What are they going to evaluate?
Innovation, functionality, feasibility and originality: the four basic
pillars of a good project.
·
Innovation:
Use of new materials; technological, functional and ergonomic innovations, and all
aspects that add value to the design.
·
Functionality:
Furniture will have to satisfactorily comply with the functions
it has been designed to.
·
Feasibility:
Real opportunities to carry out the project, since the goal is to bring
the winning project to life in a Eurostars room.
·
Originality:
Furniture elements must be original, that is, they cannot have been used
before.
SUMMARY
I have deliberately selected
these three projects of different nature. Though they all fall under
architecture, but if seen in a micro scale, they are all similar yet nothing
alike.
Starting with the first
Competition Entry – A Wall between the US Mexican Border. The definition of the
project starts with a notion of questioning. It is given in the brief that,
they are open to ideas and constructive arguments on whether there is a need to
build a wall or not. The organising committee is neither in favour of the wall,
nor is against it, hence taking a neutral position. It is up to the architect/
designer to take the decision on whether to actually rather have a wall or not.
The competition seeks to generate innovative thoughts provoking solutions,
ideas, concepts to a very real issue. The challenges, environmental issues and
problems are numerous. This project, in a way is of Urban Design nature and is
focused more into a research based theorising more than normal Architecture.
The next in the line is Nupath
Sculpture Competition. The
project is to design a single sculpture or installation that could be
dynamically multiplied on site. The outdoor space is located on the back green
space of the building, located in 147 New Boston Street in Woburn, MA and it is
currently being planned as the Outdoor Sculpture Park.
The organisers are keeping it a very open ended
problem, and is giving a liberty to express one’s idea, one expression of
design and style. In order to keep it exciting, a prize money of $1,000 has
been kept along with feature on NuPath’s website which according to them is
exciting.
Since this is a conceptual design problem, the
entries are given maximum relaxation even in the mode of presentation. The
participant have the liberty to choose amongst the wide array of options that
the organisers have given for submissions which ranges from a jpeg image to
even a movie.
Last but not least, this one is a product design
competition, something that I am seeing as my future career option hence,
equally interested in it.
Eurostars Hotels, the organisers have a strong commitment to
development. This time, they have undertaken to a new challenge: reinventing
the concept of “hotel”. To that end, they have designed Hotel Lab, their First
Innovation and Design Contest of Hotel Spaces. They are inviting the interested
ones to design the furniture for one room that meets travellers’ present and
future requirements.
The scope of work includes a double bed with headboard, a wardrobe,
luggage carrier and a workspace. The Organisers are seeking for originality in
the design, innovation in terms of technology used, ergonomics and aesthetic
value.
Since this is a product design competition, therefore, functionality is
the top most priority along with feasibility, real opportunities to carry out
the project.
All in all, there is a variety in the project, and the requirements are
even diverse. This exercise is according to me, is the most interesting out of
the other two including the tender documents and architect’s act.
ARNAB MAJUMDER
A/2514/2012
References
Anon., 2007. Competitions
Archi. [Online]
Available at: http://competitions.archi/competition/innovation-and-design-contest-of-hotel-spaces/
[Accessed 9 June 2016].
Available at: http://competitions.archi/competition/innovation-and-design-contest-of-hotel-spaces/
[Accessed 9 June 2016].
Anon., 2008. Arch Daily. [Online]
Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/786619/nupath-sculpture-competition
[Accessed 8 June 2016].
Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/786619/nupath-sculpture-competition
[Accessed 8 June 2016].
Anon., 2008. Arch Daily. [Online]
Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/783550/call-for-entries-building-the-border-wall
[Accessed 6 June 2016].
Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/783550/call-for-entries-building-the-border-wall
[Accessed 6 June 2016].
Govt. of India., 2004. The Indian Government Tender
Information System. [Online]
Available at: http://tenders.gov.in/innerpage.asp?choice=ot4
[Accessed 7 June 2016].
Available at: http://tenders.gov.in/innerpage.asp?choice=ot4
[Accessed 7 June 2016].
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