{Re}evolution

With the current political climate fostering developmental growth, the declaration of the ‘SMART CITY’ was only expected. For the select few, the phrase ‘SMART CITY’ has conjured up a rush of wild imagination particularly, among the hungry (for power) and thirsty (for liquid cash). At the bottom of the pyramid, (if ideas do percolate to the base), there would be the eternal promise of employment and therefore the hope of satisfying the hungry (for food) and the thirsty (for water). Be that as it may, no two words, in the recent past have generated as much scorn, applause, disgust, appreciation, revulsion, hope, abhorrence, expectations, confusion, aspirations, criticism, anticipation (emotional responses change depending on the typology of the peoples).

The governmental machinery is whirring at break-neck speed to actualize the idea and to materialize the dream. Arguably, the problem as always has been our lack of vision in not recognizing contextual realities and thereby blindly embracing Western models which have created climatically and socially unfavourable environments in our current cities. These provisions aspirationally modelled on the lines of American cities remain inequitably accessed and the idea of an inclusive city is far from being realized. Policy makers keep undermining our own essentials, which is at the root and is the primary reason, why glitzy images of shining new cities with glazed multistory towers are being sold aggressively (besides of course the acquisition of a humungous amount of wealth for developers and other vested interests). The efforts here are in trying to see if one could reinterpret the meaning of ‘SMART’ and thereby establish a wholly new paradigm.

How do we apply ourselves by critical thinking to our own existence through the understanding of the evolutionary process?

Please refer to the link below1, but see if you can read between the lines in the light of the above perspective.

Please refer to the link below on YouTube to familiarize yourself with varying perspectives on smart cities. Besides this, the contestants are encouraged to conduct their own deeper research on the subject.2

The Research Challenge: Evolution (The Past)

For this competition, you are asked to believe that every city, and particularly your city, is a ‘SMART CITY’. The rationale behind this is that, had this not been the case, why people would flock there in droves. People are smart and that’s who make cities. Based on this belief of positivity, the contestants are asked to state their case for discovering and recognizing through clear evidence as to why their city is a ‘SMART CITY’. De-codify the layers of EVOLUTION your city has gone through, continuously presenting myriad challenges and always remaining the beacon of opportunity for millions. Go ahead and list out the factors due to which your city pulsates with that incredible energy.

One of the ways that define the culture of people is the way they interact and relate to other people. Go back to the roots of how people moved and created systems of knowledge, created social systems, and find the native intelligence in lifestyles. Study how people adapt to new environments and how behaviour changes due to the ruptures in conditions. All these skirmishes with life leave a deep impact on the architecture they create. Evaluate these very manifestations.

The Research and ANALYSIS need to be presented in the form of a report of maximum 5000 words in double spacing. Clear, succinct and economical presentation of ideas will be appreciated. Besides this, you need to produce INNOVATIVE MAPS on A1 size sheets, (Minimum 5 numbers) which graphically represent data in a visually understandable and aesthetically pleasing manner.3

The DESIGN Challenge - Revolution. (The Future)

For this competition, we ask you to design a SHELTER (a building, a built-form, an environment) which proposes to be a Center for HUMAN INTERACTION. This centre will inform the citizens& visitors alike about the city. Can Revolution in its true dimension be brought about by creating spatial harmonies? The Program can be evolved by referencing the research documentation. The typology of the emergent space is not defined & the contestants are free to choose functions of their choice which define ‘SMARTNESS’. The typology, in fact, can be a reflection of the various layers of the city. The campus is intended to be an incubator of new systems of social outreach defining out-of-the-box solutions.

Can Interaction and inclusive environments be created & enhanced by using futuristic technologies? These could be technologies of construction, management, maintenance, and other relevant components. The design, however, will have to focus on the organization system, buildability, economy, & intelligence of the construction methodology. Great weight will be given to this exploration and contestants are encouraged to exhibit qualities of innovation in coming up with solutions. Explicit architectural details are expected and will be evaluated accordingly.

Possible Methodology - ‘Bio-mimicry’ - Key concepts:

  1. Nature hates waste
  2. Adaptability
  3. Restorative solutions
  4. What is nature’s toolkit?

The Site- Smart selection will be expected Land area allocation - Max Area. 3 Acres. TotalBuiltup Area Max 10000 M2.

To be built on 1 Acre & 2 acres for landscaping.

The goal of the competition brief is to invite an architectural-environmental ensemble that responds to the unique context, respects HUMAN qualities, and provides for a burgeoning future in a positive manner and with great empathy.

Submission Requirements:

  1. Panel: One 8' x 4' panel will be provided.
  2. Presentation: Maximum number of sheets not to exceed 20 A1 (841mm X 594mm) this can either be in single panel format or part panel format

Single panel

This mode of presentation requires the entire 8' x 4' panel to be covered which would be considered equivalent to 6 A1 sheets. The remaining sheets may be

overlaid on the panel. The Shape and size of the overlays on the single panel shall be left to the discretion of the participants subject to each A1 (or part of) being counted as one overlay

Part Panel

This presentation is possible in two forms either covering 2/3rd of the panel or 1/3rd of the panel.

  1. A 2/3rd panel would be considered equivalent to 4 A1 sheets, along with which a maximum of 11 A1 sheets in a calendar and/or overlay format is allowed.
  2. A1/3 rd panel would be considered equivalent to 2 A1 sheets, along with which a maximum of 13 A1 sheets in a calendar and/or overlay format.
  3. Each overlay (does not require a logo) would be considered as one A1 sheet irrespective of the size not exceeding A1. (The overlay must be cut from an A1sheet).
  4. No part of the presentation shall spill out the 8' x 4' panel.
  5. All individual sheets and panels shall have NASA logo as per the NASA logo guidelines.
  6. Scale models are not allowed.
  7. Two identical copies of a Report (hardbound) not exceeding 30 A4 pages (both side prints are allowed but including cover page, it should be 30 leaves) that give an entire overview of the project should accompany the submission. The report should feature the NASA logo appropriately on the cover page and on each page of the report. Both copies should contain the Institution code and name of the project on the cover. However, only one copy should have the name of the Institution featured.
  8. Jury members shall shortlist the Institutions for A.V. presentation. Time given for the shortlisted entries shall not exceed 8 minutes. Any Institution shall not reveal its identity in any manner either in sheets, reports or the presentation.
  9. 2 copies of the CD containing the soft copy (editable and non-editable) of each deliverable as the report, sheets and the A.V. Presentation must be

submitted. One of these is for the archives of Gateway College of Architecture and Design and the other for the use of the participating Institution in A.V.Presentation. Both CDs should contain the Institution code and only one should mention the name of the Institution.

  • 1. http://smartcities.gov.in/ http://smartcitieschallenge.in and https://smartcity.win2biz.com/static/content/en/0/smartcity.
  • 2. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Debate+on+Smart+Cities
  • 3. You can use the following link for referencing innovative maps: http://www.citylab.com/tech/2013/12/most-innovative-maps-2013/7952/

This document is embedded in …

G-Sen Trophy design briefs, and competition outlines for National Association of Students of Architecture (India) In Spurring Design Activism - The Socially Driven Design Brief, Edited by Nirmal Kulkarni. Gurgaon: INDES, 2018.