World Architecture Day 2021 Celebrated at School of Architecture at Rajiv Gandhi Govt. Engineering Kangra at Nagrota Bagwan

World Architecture Day 2021 Celebrated at School of Architecture at Rajiv
Gandhi Govt. Engineering Kangra at Nagrota Bagwan in collaboration with INDIAN
INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS HP CHAPTER
World Architecture Day is being celebrated since 2005 all over the globe, an initiative
by Union of International Architects. Architecture is a designed environment where
people celebrate their humanity in harmony with culture and nature.

World architecture day offers us an opportunity to show our gratitude to all the architects of
the world for being so creative in their endeavours.
To highlight the importance of the Architecture Profession on this day i.e on 4th of October 2021 a platform was set for “Understanding the Rapidly Changing Development
Trends in Himachal Pradesh” at School of Architecture at Rajiv Gandhi Govt.

Engineering Kangra at Nagrota Bagwan at Himachal Pradesh.
The event was in collaboration with Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Himachal
Pradesh with a vision to encourage developed as well developing Professions to get
together to work for an important cause of understanding the Changing Image of
Himachal Pradesh. Over 120 architecture students and 80 Architects from all over the
state participated in the event.

The event was hosted by Ms. Snigdha Rawat and Ms. Diksha Chauhan from B.Arch 3rd Year under guidance of Event Coordinator Ar. Harshodaya Bhardwaj, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, RGGEC.
Changes effecting the landscape of Himachal Pradesh are very major concern for the architects practicing in this region. Factors like business, untouched, infrastructure, infiltrating economy, lockdown, lack of opportunities, social, tourism, illiteracy, frustration, social pressure etc. have been quite an effective reason for people to shift
from their natural way of life style influenced by neighbouring areas.

A screening on
this prevalent issue was organised for all gathered showcasing the changing trends in Himachal Pradesh with collective efforts of Students of 3
rd Year, 4th and 5
th Year under the guidance of Student Coordinators Ms. Priyanka Thakur and Ms. Harshita Negi.

The Guest Speaker of the Event was Ar. Savneet Kaur who has a vernacular experience
understanding the vernacular of Himachal Pradesh. She is founder of Imarat architect
established in 1994. Ar. Savneet Kaur shared her valuable works and experiences with
humble yet eminent projects. Her sensitive way of practicing architecture influence
the audience gathered in this event to a great extent.
Among various other Diginitaries, Prof. PP Sharma, Director/Principal of Rajiv Gandhi
Govt. Engineering Kangra, Chief Guest Ar. Nand Lal Chandel, Chairman IIA, HP Chapter,
Ar. Manuj Shardia, Vice-chairman IIA HP Chapter, other members of IIA, HP Chapter alongwith various Practicing and Teaching Architects shared their presence on this
occasion.
Dr. Satish Kumar Katwal, Head School of Architecture Kangra extended warm welcome
to the Chief Guest Ar Nand Lal Chandel and Dignitaries, shared his ideas and experience on the role of Architects in this sensitive ecosystem of Himachal Pradesh.
Dr. Katwal also told that we will have another student chapter of Indian Institute of Architects at School of Architecture Rajiv Gandhi Govt. Engineering College Kangra at Nagrota Bagwan. The fee amounting Rs. 25000/- has already been paid to the Indian
Institute of Architects and waiting for the further directions to launch the said chapter.
Ar. Nand Lal Chandel Chairman IIA HP Chapter Was the Chief Guest also shared his views on this occasion, elaborated the importance of planning and designing in hilly terrain with due respect to local site conditions by adopting new architecture for every new site.

He stressed upon the need to understand the surrounding environment in depth and apply in design during conceptual design process which is very very important and basic element of any architectural design practice. Also extended his sincere thanks to Dr. Satish Kumar Katwal and his team for organising the event flawlessly.Ar. N.L Chandel also contributed a sum of Rs. 11,000 for the team of Outreach Project for their exemplary efforts and Rs.1100 each for Academic Excellence Award for Session
2020-21 to students Mr. Shagun of 4th Year, Mr. Hemant Parashar of 3rd Year, Ms. Urvashi Thakur of 2nd Year and Mr. Tarun Thakur of 1st Year. Student Team included Ms. Harshita Negi and Ms. Priyanka Thakur as the Student
Coordinators, Ms. Diksha Chauhan and Ms. Snigdha Rawat as Executive Members and
Mr. Ayush, Mr. Harshit Vasu, Ms. Priyansh, Ms. Pragati Chauhan, Ms. Urvashi Thakur and Mr. Parvesh as Team of Volunteers successfully co-ordinated the webinar.
Screen Shots during Celebration of World Architecture Day 2021 at School of Architecture