Architecture and Other HeadAches

A piece of Archive!

holygypsy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:34:55 +0000

I found this clip in the newspaper while scanning some Archive Files…. Its appeared in the Daily News Pakistan om 4th of April 1975. Which means that this news clip appeared after Bangladesh had appeared on the World Map in 1971 and Pakistan had been defeated in the War terribly and had almost 93000 POW in Indian Camps.

The POW’s finally came home as a result of the deliberation between Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Indira Gandhi which ultimately took a tangible form in the year 1972 in the shape of the Simla Agreement.

I guess it took another 3 years before all the POW’s reached their families and loved ones!

Museum Display Inspiration

holygypsy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:18:30 +0000

Lately most of my focus has been on finding inspiration for my latest venture, and thus I have been looking towards more and more display panels and how museums tend to work!

And some of the images that I have found have simply made me go “WOW”… So here I am sharing some of my images with you! And do let me know if you have some more that you would like to share with me as well!

Image via

Perfect for some of the things that we were trying to do, now only if we can find some small stands for this… or have made!

Image via

So, now that I have my inspiration what remains to be seen is how I translate it into my own version! Hopefully things will turn out to be as good as they look in my head!

IAPEX 2012 Call for Paper

holygypsy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:11:14 +0000

The absence is regretful! However, firstly let me make an announcement, a responsibility that has been given to me by a friend.

IAPEX, organized every year by Institute of Architects, Pakistan (IAP) holds its exposition in various cities including Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. Currently the IAPEX Islamabad, which is scheduled to be held on the 25th -26th of Feburary in the lovely Serena Hotel.

Serena Hotel - Soon to be the venue of IAPEX 2012, Image from here

The Call for Paper is on the topic,

‘THE FUTURE – THE NEXT 50 YEARS OF PAKISTAN ARCHITECTURE”

The following is the schedule for the submission of the abstracts and so forth,

Submission Format: Format: PDF file
Deadline of Receiving 500 words abstract: Feb 3rd 2012 (5pm Sharp)on the following email address - forum@iapexislamabad.com
Notification of acceptance (by email) Feb 7th 2012
Full Paper Submission: Feb 14th 2012

The format of the final presentation is to be “Paper Reading with Slide Display”.

You are eligible to apply if you are either

A Practicing Architect,
Academia,
Or a Student belonging to an accredited architectural schools.

So remember those dates, or simply visit on the following days to Serena and breathe into the world of Architecture and great Paper Reading Sessions.

You can also download the PDF from here

Call for papers and posters, S3 2012 (dineshpanday.wordpress.com)
REMINDER: MIE2012 – Papers/Posters Submission Closes 30 January (imianews.wordpress.com)
New This Year: SEPG Europe 2012 Collaborates with IEEE Software for Paper Submissions (sepgconference.wordpress.com)

The Invisible Bridge of RO&AD Architects

holygypsy — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 20:59:54 +0000

No, this is not a post about a lovely scenery and the wonders of nature! This is in a fact about a bridge, which is very much a part of this picture. The only thing is that its under water, or at least level with the water. And isn’t such an approach just perfect for this atmosphere? It is perfect in maintaining the scenic calm and peace of this setting, while fulfilling the purpose of its existence.

The Moses Bridge as it is called is located in Halsteren, Municipality of Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands. And was designed in this way to maintain views towards a Fort on the site.

Ro & Ad Architects: The invisible Bridge (itsnicethat.com)
Moses Bridge (davidairey.com)

From Islamabad, With Love! – Part 3

holygypsy — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:46:41 +0000

Another stop that I made during my visit was to Saidpur Village, although the destination was a discovery I made by chance when Googling possible sites to visit when in Islamabad. I had never heard of it before and therefore it was a surprise for me to see such a place. The spot is more of a commercial zone now, with many places to eat and be entertained, but despite this there is still a touch of that rustic old life. You can even wander around in the village site, which are a bit away from the main hustle bustle and be shocked by the contrast this one site presents.

From Islamabad, with Love! – Part 1 (architectureandotherheadaches.wordpress.com)
From Islamabad, with Love! – Part 2 (architectureandotherheadaches.wordpress.com)
Islamabad Hills (farees.wordpress.com)

From Islamabad, with Love! – Part 2

holygypsy — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:15:19 +0000

The trip to Faisal Mosque was one more stop that I made despite the fact that I have been there a million times before I think. And I am glad I did! The chance to see the Margalla Hills being surrounded by those black clouds, only to finally come down on us after Maghrib was a experience that I would have never wanted to miss!

So here is a big cheer to Mother Nature and her miracles!

From Islamabad, with Love! – Part 1

holygypsy — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:55:18 +0000

Did you all know that recently … like 6 months back.. I took a trip to Islamabad. And since I am one lazy person, I haven’t been able to upload the pictures so far. So let me take this opportunity and post some of them now! And yes, I am becoming more regular with this. So get ready for that!

So here are some images that I was just clicking away of the scenery around Islamabad!

Visiting Oxford University Press – A wonder!

holygypsy — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:58:58 +0000

Today, I had the opportunity to visit the Oxford University Press office in Korangi, and up till the drive to the office, I was completely blank about what the building looked like. But one glance at the Front Elevation, and it all came rushing back to me – this building was designed by Kamil Khan Mumtaz.

My first view of the building!

The car stopped at the front door – a beautiful traditional metal door, made from Lahore. The entrance resonates the typical Mughal grandeur – with a double heighten space illuminated with a skylight, with some wonderful pictures on the walls, showing Oxford plans and maps. Into this space opens a beautifully designed Jharoka – again representative of the Sindhi townscapes.

The Entrance door

The Traditional Jharoka and the skylight

The fact of the matter was that I had seen images of this building before, but then for some reason, I had simply rejected it. I understood today why that had happened – the reason being too simple – The pictures just didn’t do justice to the building.

The interiors link one to their Sindhi Roots

It is at this point, t hat I concluded that In fact it is not even the building that was intriguing me – it was the interiors that captured me completely! It was like being in a surreal painting – full of light and colors.

The building has been completely inspired from Sindh and its tradition. From the floors, to the ceiling to the wall panels, everything went back to connect with the Sindhi roots.

The floor was atypical cement floor with simple geometric patterns inspired from the British Tradition, while the roof plays on the traditional art of Naqshqari. And for me to see such a ceiling was simply awe-inspiring. I hate the typical gypsum board ceilings that have become so synonymous with the office environment. To me they are simply, boring and dull and hardly inspires anyone to work!

Naqsqari on the roof!

Overall, the building is simply beautiful, keeping in touch with the old and the new, in the most elegant of manners. The building ensures to make every element of the traditional craft its very own, before it can be employed in this building.

To see more of Kamil Khan Mumtaz’s work, click here.

Images from http://www.kamilkhanmumtaz.com/

My new blog!

holygypsy — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 21:47:11 +0000

Hello People,

And let me introduce you to my new blog, dedicated entirely for my thesis research. All of you are requested to do check in on it.. and do leave your comments on it!

To visit the blog, just click here.

And do try to send in suggestions!

And I hope to be writing more here soon!

Thesis, Thesis!

holygypsy — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:48:41 +0000

I will tell you one thing! It’s not easy getting anything done in this country! Relevance you ask? Then let me tell you in detail friends! I am working on my thesis project at the archeological site of Banbhore – a site often considered to be the historic town of Deybal!

The thesis hopes to take into consideration the various aspects and charters taht put various limitations and rules and regulations about how to apprach such a site!

So for the project, I needs maps! Ton’s of them! All sorts of topographical maps! And every department which can help me in this regard is a Government Sector Department!

The result is that half the time the concerned person has just hasn’t shown up! If it is a female, then its probably a headache, and if it is a male, then rest assured his wife is giving birth the umpteenth time this month!

And for two weeks now, I have been going from one department to the other, chasing Government Officials to help in some way, in complete hopelessness!

I need help!

Thesis (aircristir.wordpress.com)
Thesis vs. Project? (blogofcaroline.wordpress.com)
Thesis, here I come! (krizelleinlove.wordpress.com)
My thesis is your thesis. (dougbelshaw.com)

Architecture and Other HeadAches

A piece of Archive!

Museum Display Inspiration

IAPEX 2012 Call for Paper

Related articles

The Invisible Bridge of RO&AD Architects

Images from: yatzer.com/The-Invisible-Bridge-of-RO-AD-Architects

Related articles

From Islamabad, With Love! – Part 3

Related articles

From Islamabad, with Love! – Part 2

From Islamabad, with Love! – Part 1

Visiting Oxford University Press – A wonder!

My new blog!

Thesis, Thesis!

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