Architectural Review is probably one of my favorite architectural journals that is still surviving. While not immune to the print diet that has been afflicting most of the image intensive monthly publications, it still manages to feature innovative international works with good photography, readable plans and well written commentaries. As an added bonus it comes with little or no advertisements that features anorexic women caressing unaffordable stainless steel bath fixtures – how refreshing !!
Given that it is a rarity to have works from India featured in AR, it was a treat to browse through the September 2010 issue that was entirely focused on India. But make no mistake – it only took the editorial team 20 long years to revisit the country for an entire issue. Not too many surprises in terms of featured architects – Bimal Patel’s IIM extension in Ahmedabad, Stephen Paumier/Spa Design, Rajeev Kathpalia/Vastu Shilpa Foundation among others. And off course they has to be an essay on Dharavi. The most lyrical project of all is the minimalist Shiv Temple in rural Maharashtra by Mumbai based Sameep Padora.
A lot of things have changed in twenty years, and some have not. The Delhi-Ahmedabad-Mumbai triangle still retains its monopolistic stronghold in getting its work noticed in the international arena. With a big share of the Ahmedabad design diaspora settling in Bangalore, coupled with self-made emerging talents from less glamorous architectural schools, there are certainly lot more stories waiting to be told from beyond the established architectural triangle. Perhaps we need to wait for another twenty long years.
