Renowned Architect Chitra Vishvanath Speaks at MIDAS-as a part of FEAT

Ar.Chitra Vishwanath, Principal Architect & Managing Director of Architecture Biome lectured at MIDAS addressing the budding architects on the need to evolve ecologically responsive architecture.

Her practice is widely known for its eco-sensitive building design specialisation in Earth Architecture and transforming the traditional building techniques relevant to urban settings.

Architecture Biome is also involved in giving strategic consultancy towards issues of water, sanitation, alternative energy and consulting for other architects in making their projects ecological.  Biome also conducts workshops for school children, college students and does training in rainwater harvesting and building techniques.

Ar.Chitra spoke about the global scenario of Carbon footprint and the increasing CO2 emissions. The role of the construction industry in contributing to the solid waste and hence the onus on the architects to produce responsible building designs. The lecture covered the use of waste products in building construction and need for the necessary expertise to implement the good ideas.

The veteran architect reviewed the III Semester student works on their Primary School Design and encouraged the students to evolve as sensitive leaders in the profession.

MIDAS at URBAN MELA by MOD Institute Berlin in Chennai

MIDAS involvement in Indo German Urban Mela

MOD Institute, an international collective of architects, designers researchers, curators and practitioners with engaged interests in urbanisation process in india had organised discussion sessions on critical urban challenges on the topics 'Our Water', 'Our Waste' and 'Our City' as a part of the ‘Chennai Urban Campus’ during the Indo-German Urban Mela at the YMCA grounds Nandhanam.  Mr.Tile Von Damn, political scientist at the MOD Institute invited Professor.Jaffer A A Khan, Director-MIDAS to moderate the session on  ‘Our Waste’ on the 30^th August 2012.

Prof.Jaffer A A Khan established the context of the discussion highlighting the concerns of waste generated in the city and the onus on the citizens towards reducing the same and invited the speakers to present their views.

Ms.Karin Sandeck, Bayerische Oberste, Baubehorde, Munich presented her experience and the practices of Urban Waste Management System of Germany. The presentation deliberated on the successful reduction in waste generation by imposing payment systems to the citizens for disposing the waste generated by them.  Ms Kristin Stegar from the Indo German Centre for Sustainability, IIT Madras, Chennai presented on the Waste management system developed and successfully implemented within the Indian Institute of Technology Campus in Chennai. Prof.Jaffer concluded the session highlighting the Indian traditional values and the culture which has always embodied sustainable in the lifestyle of the people.

The presentations were followed by an enriching discussion session with active participation from faculty and students of MIDAS. Architect Balaji, Assistant Professor – MIDAS, shared his experiences on working with the rural communities and the need to create awareness at the community level in enforcing their rights through the local bodies. Ms.Shwetha, II year student of MIDAS elaborated the initiatives of the ‘ECO CLUB’ at the college campus at Swarnabhoomi on waste reduction, reuse of waste material and the ‘Square Foot Gardening’ ventures.

Apposite to the topic of discussion, the Director, Faculty and the Students of MIDAS presented a 4’x4’ mural out of waste material to Mr.Karl  Pechatscheck– Director, Gothe Institute. Mr.Karl and Ms.Senya Muller, Gothe Institute also appreciated the student volunteers of MIDAS for their week long involvement in the workshops titled ‘Dream Ciry in the Clouds’ during the Chennai Urban Mela.

Professor Jaffer AA Khan Chairs Session on "Urban Waste"

Prof. Jaffer AA Khan Director MIDAS and a practicing architect heading Jaff Design Studio in Bangalore and Chennai will chair a session on Urban Waste organised as a part of Urban Mela by MOD Institute Berlin and the Gothe Inst. Chennai. The venue will be YMCA grounds at 1030 am on 30th Aug. 2012.

Jaffer Khan's maiden lecture for batch 2012-13

Professor Jaffer AA Khan RIBA,commenced the batch 2012-13 of B.Arch at MIDAS with his maiden lecture on "Elements of Design" and the "Principles of Design". The lecture was for 60min. at the first floor lecture hall at MIDAS.
The lecture comprised of information on understanding of design and the essential requirement of knowledge to distinguise from "Good and Bad Design".

Prof. Jaffer AA Khan - Conducts Design Crit for 3Sem B.Arch at MIDAS

Architectural Design Crit is the most toughest thing. The recent design criticism on the "School Project" for 3rd Sem B.Arch students of B.Arch at MIDAS was conducted on 17th Aug. 2012. The crit session started at 9.00 am and went on till 16.00 pm. The other design faculty/ studio incharge were present. The overall performance was satisfactory, however some the designs were excellent and far beyond that one would expect for a 2nd year student of B.Arch. It was indeed a hard crit. The followup will be on 21st Aug. 2012. 

Kevin from Edinburgh School lectures at MIDAS

Kevin K student of Edinburgh School of Architecture,UK  visited MIDAS and shared his experience with the students of 3rd semester atMIDAS. The interaction was first of its kind with a student of the same year but from a different school sharing ideas with MIDAS students. 

He was felicitated by Prof. Jaffer AA Khan Director of MIDAS during the program and invited Kevin to visit MIDAS more often. Kevin happens to be the son of eminent architect Mr Benny Kuriakose.

Prof.Jaffer Khan at University of Toronto Canada

Professor Jaffer AA Khan Director Marg Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi, MIDAS was at John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto Canada recently and had wide range of discussions with Ms Andrea Mc Gee Registrar and Prof. Robert M Wright Associate Dean Research on possible collaborations with MIDAS in the future. MIDAS will work closely with  the Daniels and will develop a relationship enriching both the institutions through academic exchange and research. The meeting was held on 1st August 2012 at John H Daniels main building on College Street, Toronto ON.