Kaarwan Architectural Thesis Competition 2024 - Transforming Spaces

Kaarwan’s Architectural Thesis Competition - Transforming Spaces, has released its winning entries. Talented new graduates and post-graduates participated in the competition, showcasing their work to the jury of esteemed industry experts. 

The Transforming Spaces - Architectural Thesis Competition entries were assessed based on a variety of criteria. These include: 

• First impression and choice of design problem

• The response to the design problem and the context 

• Research conducted and conclusions drawn

• The design's evolution

• Attention to detail and design philosophy

Technical aspects of the building:

• Construction materials and measured drawings

• Building services

• Climatic considerations

• Site study and estimation

• The articulation and presentation

To honor the most compelling thesis designs, Kaarwan partnered with leading education institutes like Christ University, Siddaganga Institute of Technology of Tumkur, RVS Chennai Padmavathy School of Architecture of Chennai, Gitam University, Rachana Sansad's Academy Of Architecture College of Mumbai and E-Architect.

The competition received submissions from all over India and abroad. Students showcased their design ideas across a broad spectrum. They envisioned the revitalization of a lost haven, the reclamation of community spaces, and the creation of a multifaceted maritime hub. Social issues were also addressed, with proposals for an ethical alternative in fashion and a solution for tackling food waste. 

Cultural preservation and community redevelopment were explored through various projects, while others ventured into the psychological and social realms, examining architecture's impact on memory and social inclusion. This diversity of projects highlighted the students' creativity and commitment to using architecture to confront various challenges.

The thesis entries were reviewed by the jury consisting of Ar. Habeeb Khan, partner at SHK Architects, former President of Council of Architecture; Ar. Bijoy Ramachandran, Architect and urban designer, partner at Hundredhands, Design Chair at BMS; Dr. Anil Dewan Architect and Head of the Department (Architecture) at SPA New Delhi; Dr. Harsimran Kaur, Head of the Department at IIT BHU and an IGBC AP, and Ar. Aashita Amin, Head of Research at Kaarwan, who has mentored 550+ students in their Architectural Thesis.

The winning entries are as follows:

WINNER: Qazi Shadman – BMS College Of Architecture

Click here to explore the project.

This project, ‘Sonzal - Rejuvenating The Lost Paradise - A Case Of Kashmir,’ aims to revive Kashmir's fading cultural identity. It proposes restoring the site of an abandoned Mughal garden in Srinagar, using traditional methods, to create a space that celebrates Kashmiri heritage. Local crafts, performances, cuisine, and community interaction areas are planned to foster a sense of belonging for residents and a rich experience for visitors. The design aims to be sustainable and adaptable, evolving alongside the cultural landscape. Combining restored Mughal principles with vernacular architecture, the project honors the past while offering a glimpse into a sustainable future, creating a lasting legacy that goes beyond just a building.

FIRST RUNNER-UP: Fleur Dsouza – Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies

Click here to explore the project.

The project, ‘Reclaiming the Gaothan- The Case of Ranwar’ tackles the decline of traditional Indian settlements called Gaothans. Strict heritage rules make it hard for elderly residents to maintain their homes. A new system is suggested through the design, dividing the Gaothan into zones with specific guidelines. The core zone preserves architectural elements, while the peripheral zones address encroaching structures and add required utilities. An architectural solution presented here is, making attics habitable. Steel beams and a lightweight roof are added on top of existing walls, aiming to create more living space for families, a major reason residents leave the Gaothans. This strategy offers an innovative approach to revitalizing these communities while respecting their heritage.

SECOND RUNNER-UP: Ankitha P – BMS College Of Architecture

Click here to explore the project.

This project ‘Maritime Portal - A Kaleidoscope Harmonising International Cruise Terminal and Inland Ferry’ proposes a maritime portal that combines an international cruise terminal with a domestic ferry terminal. It aims to achieve six goals: better urban connections, sustainable transportation, reduced traffic congestion, impactful urban design, a convergence of transportation methods, and the creation of a landmark. The design emphasizes water travel as a way to connect cities while preserving local identity. It incorporates a ferry terminal, pedestrian and cyclist paths, green spaces, and public amenities. The cruise terminal itself features unique design elements like a monorail, an interpretation center, and a recreational deck, blending French and Indian architectural styles. 

Honourable Mentions:

1. Tvisha Ranpuria - Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies

   Project - [re]-factory: An Alternative to Sweatshops in Fast Fashion

2. Ameya Ashutosh Rupal Thanawala - Academy of Architecture, Mumbai University

   Project - Urban Food Repository: Tackling Food Loss and Waste by Revitalizing Wholesale Markets: Case of APMC, Vashi

3. Shubhanshi Anand - Wadiyar Centre for Architecture

   Project - Market Metamorphosis

4. Raj Dhikle - Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies

   Project - Resurgence of Knowledge Traditions: The Cultural Landscape of Kuchipudi

5. Prajwal Shende - IDEAS

   Project - Decrypting Occupation-Based Communities A Redevelopment Case of Dhobi-ghat Precinct

Special Mentions:

1. Harshini K - Siddaganga Institute of Technology

2. Bhamini Mehraa - Wadiyar Centre for Architecture

3. Aleena Justin - Marian College of Architecture and Planning

4. Shruti Patade - L.S. Raheja School Of Architecture

5. Sheikh Sakib Rahman - Khulna University

6. Aadya Garg - School of Art and Architecture, Sushant University

7. Bandi Dhrushya - Sir MV School Of Architecture

8. Srivibhu Viraj - L.S. Raheja School Of Architecture

9. Yaswanth Kumar R S - Wadiyar Centre for Architecture, Mysore

10. Tesslyn Tony - School of Architecture, Christ University

The top entries of the thesis competition address the transformation of spaces through approaches that weave innovation with social harmony. Understanding niche issues on a grassroots level and deriving solutions that address the user directly, make the projects stand out. The design solutions have the potential to bring about profound change in our societies if worked in unison with people in leadership roles; like the way Margaret J. Wheatley quotes, ‘There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.’