the drawing board 2024
the drawing board 2024
the drawing board 2024
Title: The Drawing Board 2024
Competition Chronicle
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Rohan Builders India Pvt Ltd
Mindspace Architects
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the drawing board 2024
CONTENTS
2024
Presenting the realms and tangible
ideas that are studied in association
through The Drawing Board’s evolving
annual enterprise.
The contents in this publication catalog
the competition focus of 2024:
Elevating the Footprints of History.
ORGANISERS
the torchbearers that helm the
valued goals and principles
PREMISE
foundational development of the
initiative and its progression
08
10
RETROSPECTIVE
mapping the key ideas that have
explored in depth through the
years since 2016
14
THE DESIGN BRIEF
Sanjay Mohe outlines the potency
and intricacies of the site
46
PROCESS
the instituted platforms and arenas
of engagement in each cycle
16
THE REVIEWS
a visual glimpse into a generative space
composed of the evaluation & input lectures
26
THE JURY
an introduction to the esteemed panel
presiding over a critical feedback & selection
18
2024: IN FOCUS
elaborating on the context and premise to
restore and integrate a site’s cultural heritage
WHY PARTICIPATE?
contextualising the learning and structures
of the process for more information
INSIGHTS
experiences and learnings shared
by the participating students
THE CHALLENGE
a framework to evoke and guide
the students’ responses
48
COMMENDATIONS
featuring projects by the commendations,
finalists, viewers’ choice and special mention
52
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
acknowledging the roots and fortitude
that make the endeavour possible
120
122
PROPOSALS
a mosaic of selected projects from
the diverse entries received
112
126
32
10
the drawing board 2024
Staged at an international level, The Drawing Board is designed as a
competition by Rohan Builders and Mindspace Architects. Since 2016,
the platform opens out to ideas from students of architecture for
site-specific architectural concerns and communities annually.
The opportunity lies in an academic exploration and in designing for real
challenges in real locations. It is a framework for students to test their
understanding and skills on concerns of architecture, urban design and
the built environment.
The endeavour is to create a unique space for conversation, and to bring
together students, professionals and ideas on a common platform. It helps
instigate thoughtful research about design, by episodically suggesting
tangible issues on architecture and design with each cycle.
Presentations by the participants, and lectures by the invited jurors add
layers of value. Each competition cycle thus becomes a novel revelation
and repository of knowledge and sensitive ideas.
The aim is to provoke reflections for spaces and places, and create a
culture for engagement with different approaches for a particular site;
a new opportunity arises with every site, every edition.
PREMISE
Arising from a common objective of
creating an exploratory platform for
students, The Drawing Board is about
learnings, collaboration, excellence
and friendship.
11
the drawing board 2024 / premise
12
the drawing board 2024
A collaborative partnership that
explores the possibility of building on
mutual passions and drive to create a
meaningful, and expanding horizon for
architectural learning and practice.
ORGANISERS
13
Started in 1993, out of a rented space in a small garage, Rohan Group has
built a name for itself across the Real Estate, Infrastructure and Industrial
Contracting sectors over the last three decades. Beginning with a residential
project of eight apartments, it has today scaled tremendously to a team of
over of 2200 professionals and landmarks sprawling over 15 million square
feet across the country.
Making a selection of the things that matter most to great living, the
group conceptualised PLUS Concept - Perfect Ventilation, Lively Light,
Utmost Privacy, Smart Space, an integral aspect of all Rohan homes.
Rohan Group has also introduced the Tunnel form technology, a rapid and
advanced construction technique, that helps build one floor a day with
much better quality and durability than conventional construction. Each
project is representative of their commitment to safety, transparency, quality
construction and timely completion. Rohan Group has been the recipient of
many esteemed recognitions.
Rohan Group’s excellence in design and innovation is also woven into the
nation’s infrastructure – the Amritsar Wagah NH1 that connects India
to Pakistan, and other roads, tunnels, bridges across Punjab, Rajasthan,
Maharashtra, to cite a few. It has also led large multinational clients such as
Coke, Pepsi, HUL, ITC, Bajaj, Tata, Mahindra, Cairn to trust Rohan Group with
repeat orders.
Rohan Builders is consistently rated DA2+ by CRISIL for more than sixteen
years, signifying the group’s ability to execute projects as per specified quality,
within timelines. As a participant in the United Nations Global Compact
(UNGC), Rohan Group is dedicated to sustainability and ethical business
practices, aligning with the SDGs. It has also been certified as a Great Place
to Work by the GPTW organisation consecutively for four years for its high-
trust, high-performance, people-centric culture. This recognition highlights
Rohan Builders’ dedication to fostering a supportive and innovative work
environment. The Drawing Board is one of such endeavours. With feet firmly
on ground and vision far ahead in the future, the Rohan Group continues to
inspire and lead the industry.
Established in October 2004, Mindspace is a Bengaluru-based architectural
firm. Founded by Sanjay Mohe, Vasuki Prakash and Suryanarayanan, the
firm is known for its architecture works which are seamlessly integrated with
nature. Architecture, for them, is always guided by local context, culture, and
most importantly, the climate, which has always been the influencing factor
on lifestyle-culture, behaviour, eating habits, fashion and architecture. Hence,
the central idea of their architecture lies in its response to climate, context and
integrating nature into the built where ‘Experience’ takes precedence over
‘Form’ and ‘Soul’ over ‘Skin’.
The buildings designed are not focused on capturing attention from the
exterior but utmost importance is given to creating spaces which are
unique in its “feel” providing the inhabitant with a series of experiences -
experiencing elements of nature within a space, experiencing light, breeze,
sound, unfolding of layers and volumes. The external form of the building
is derived to complement the functions within. They strive to strike balance
between man, his needs, emotions, culture, his aspirations, elements of nature
and technological advancement.
The projects have resulted in several national and international awards and
consistent features in eminent architectural journals. Mindspace comprises
of the partners, Sanjay Mohe, Medappa, Suryanarayanan, Amit Swain and
Swetha A, along with architects, engineers and support staff, all of whom
work as a team.
Some of the awards are, to name a few - ‘J K Cements’ - The Great Master
award 2019’ awarded to Architect Sanjay Mohe, NDTV Award for CCMS
in JNCASR Bengaluru in 2014, The Golden Architect Award by A+D and
Spectrum Foundation Architecture Award (2009), A+D Award (2006), J K
Cements’ commendation in 2011, J K Cements’ Architect of the Year Award
in 1991 / 1999 / 2001 / 2007 / 2008 / 2013; The Award of the Journal of
Indian Institute of Architects in 2002; ar + d International Annual Award of
Architectural Review received in 1999, London, and d’line for JRD Digital
Library; Gold Medal from ARCASIA (The Asian Forum for Institutes of
Architecture) in 1998.
the drawing board 2024 / organisers
14
the drawing board 2024
Suhas Lunkad
Chairman & Managing Director,
Rohan Builders India Pvt Ltd
Design is at the core of our ethos; influencing every aspect of all our
endeavours; including The Drawing Board. TDB, as we call it, is a part of
our commitment to nurturing creativity and engaging with students to
nurture fresh outlooks in the realm of design and architecture.
Our journey with TDB has been a tapestry of invaluable experiences.
We have discovered that we learn as much from the participants as they
do from us. Their unique and creative perspectives have broadened our
horizons and inspired fresh ideas. Central to our evolution has been the
partnership with Mindspace, a cornerstone architectural firm renowned for
its expertise.
15
The Drawing Board stems from a longstanding friendship with Mr Suhas
Lunkad, Chairman & Managing Director of Rohan Builders, characterised
by countless discussions on architecture, thorough analysis, agreements,
and disagreements during our customary monthly dinners spanning many
years. The objective is to establish a platform where young creative minds
can explore ideas, receive guidance from highly respected intellectuals
and professionals in the field, and appreciate the diversity of solutions to
a given problem. We aspire to encourage more students to participate,
emphasising that the essence lies not in winning or losing but in
questioning, unlearning, and relearning.
Sanjay Mohe
Founder & Partner,
Mindspace Architects
16
the drawing board 2024
970 participants
300 colleges
RETROSPECTIVE
Over the past editions, the journey has
been unique and rewarding, traversing
across different contexts and ideas.
EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION:
A RESTAURANT
The second edition called for ideas to explore
intelligent designs that were flexible and allow spatial
transformation and size variability. The site was located
on the banks of Mula River where the water level changes
seasonally. The building had to “expand and contract” as a
reaction to this changing water level and had to be a place
to gather and celebrate nature.
1292 participants
388 colleges
Scan the QR Code to
view the highlights of
the past years.
FUTURISTIC EXPRESSION FOR A HABITAT
The first edition’s aim was to explore various ideas as a
futuristic expression of a habitat - an idea which would
reflect a housing typology for the future.
The idea needed to cover environmental, social and
economic aspects of future lifestyles. The proposed site
was in Tambat Ali which is a settlement of ‘tambats’ or
copper craftsmen and is the oldest part of the city.
2017
2016
17
1063 participants
293 colleges
1400 participants
250 colleges
REVIVING A LOST HERITAGE
The fourth edition deliberated on ideas to create a
dialogue between the surrounding urban communities,
citizens and a 140-year old heritage water tower.
The programme was envisioned to create the tower as
strong reference for the city’s established urban fabric and
to have a connection to the natural, cultural and heritage
environment of the Pune city.
TEMPORARY HOMES FOR TRANSIENT
CONSTRUCTION LABOURERS
The fifth edition aimed to provide humane living
conditions for transient construction workers in India.
The housing colony had to be designed for 200 labourers.
The design needed to evoke the feeling of being rooted
in a given place, and foster a sense of community and
participation. The colony had to accommodate for
communal, private and gathering spaces.
REDESIGNING THE BADAMI ARCHAELOGICAL
MUSEUM: AN INSERT INTO HISTORY
The eighth edition provoked the reimagination of the
Badami archaeological museum designed for spaces to
celebrate skills and craft of the locals. The site location
was chosen strategically to foster an experience of the
natural context, the lake, rock cut caves, and the temples
together cohesively.
CELEBRATING THE DIVINE JOURNEY
WITH A PAUSE
In India, when pilgrimages of various faith are undertaken,
temporary infrastructure supporting their journey
negotiates continuously with a permanent city and carve
out its independent existence. The sixth edition put
forth a challenge to design for transient activities for the
pilgrimage walkers, known as Warkaris.
TRIBUTE TO UNPARALLED LEGACY
The seventh edition focused on creating a memorial for
one of India’s greatest architects, Charles Correa. Without
having a specific limit for any construction regulations,
technology and materials, the brief gave the students a
chance to explore his prolific legacy of ideas and values
in their design. The site of the memorial was set in the
renowned Kala Academy complex in Goa, India.
2700 participants
850 colleges
1086 participants
327 colleges
2700 registrations
900 colleges
1300 participants
300+ colleges
MULTIPURPOSE ACTIVITY CENTER
The third edition brought to focus a need to explore
sensitive and intelligent designs that recognise the
existing context as an important layer of the settlement.
The proposed site was an integral part of the settlement
located at the foot hills of Parvati Hill temple. The design
had to evolve from the available resources of the place
and needs of its people.
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
18
the drawing board 2024
PROCESS
OVERVIEW
Each cycle of The Drawing Board is unique, and is
anchored by a process framework which weaves
in possibilities of mentorship, team dynamics,
exposure to critical feedback, improving on
the designs, one-on-one interactions, and an
opportunity to listen to eminent jurors.
19
01 OPEN CALL
An annual competition, The Drawing Board
stages an open participation of entries each year
to respond to a new Design Brief, and Problem
Statement. Inviting participation from across the
globe, the competition looks at gathering diverse
perspectives and ideas.
MENTORSHIP
The process encourages practitioners, alumni or
academicians to assume the role of mentors for the
participating students and guide them in bringing
new directions to light. It helps the students learn
and gain from the existing knowledge, skills, and
experience of the mentors.
02 EVALUATION
An interim evaluation is held internally, to carefully
peruse and deliberate on the appropriateness and
credibility of the submitted entries. Discussions,
debates and cognizance of the brief statement
inform the decision of shortlisting the participating
projects and selecting them for the final review.
A shortlist of nine / ten teams is announced, and
invited for a review.
The evaluation process concludes with a day event
where the participants present their ideas in short
crits to the Jurors. Eminent jurors are invited to be
a part of the panel presiding over the selections
and value-propositions in the reviews.
03 REVIEW + MASTERCLASS
The shortlisted entries are invited to present at
a prominent venue with an audience composed
of fellow students, invited practitioners and
academicians. Through engaging discussions,
the students receive critical insights and inputs
from this panel. Commendations are awarded as
Winners, First Runner-up and Second Runner-up.
A Viewers’ Choice Award is also included in the
listed recognitions.
The incentive is the holistic feedback that the
participants become privy to, and a symbolic
amount that is presented as the prize. The
eminent jurors deliver inspirational lectures and
masterclasses on their work.
the drawing board 2024 / process
20
the drawing board 2024
Inspiring lectures - ‘Ideas to Architecture’ by Hans Brouwer;
‘Jhola as a Metaphor’ by Uday Andhare; ‘Ephemeral Spaces
and Timeless Masterpieces’ by Edgar Demello organised as a
Masterclass series left an indelible impression on the gathering
of students and professionals. These extensions beyond the
crits underscore The Drawing Board’s endeavour to build an
open-source repository of knowledge.
THE JURY
2024