Even more enhanced focus on urban design and planning
Originally called the House of Parliament, it was designed by the British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker in 1912 as part of their wider mandate to construct a new administrative capital city for British India. The 92-year-old Parliament House, also known as Sansad Bhavan, is home to the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha and one of the most impressive buildings in Delhi. It is said that the circular structure of the 11th-century Chausath Yogini Temple inspired the design of the building. Now, this complex is set for a facelift. Design firm HCP Design Planning & Management has already been awarded the project, which is to be built at a cost of Rs 9.22 billion. The firm is preparing the master plan of the project, including designs, cost estimation, landscape and traffic integration plans, and parking facilities.
Indeed, the pre-eminence of design and planning has come to the fore now more than ever before. In addition to administrative structures, the pandemic has highlighted the need to develop healthcare infrastructure and control the outbreak in dense urban environments.
While the Indian economy has significantly slowed as a result of COVID-19, hospitals are struggling to cope with queues of patients. Their experience has generated interesting learning for the construction industry; in particular, for those planning and designing hospitals. A big experiential takeaway from the frontline is the need for flexible design. Read our August story on Hospital Design and Construction Post-COVID here.
CONSTRUCTION WORLD has been curating ideas such as these for urban design by creating a platform to showcase the best architects and builders in India—the CONSTRUCTION WORLD ARCHITECT & BUILDER (CWAB) Awards—for the past 15 years.
Since their inception in 2006, the CWAB Awards have become the most coveted awards for the architectural industry, with over 100 jury members, recognising over 50 architects and builders and 36 noteworthy projects as well as giving out 28 regional awards.
While this year has been challenging for all, the show must go on! This must-attend event of the building industry will be held virtually, thereby allowing not only the building industry from India but also neighbouring countries who are seeking inspiration from the talent showcased at this event. To honour all the winners of the past 14 years, as well as crown new ones, the CWABAwards will be held on August 28, 2020. Who will be the new faces that will shine at these awards—any guesses? Tune in and find out!
Meanwhile, here’s a list of the winners of the 14th CWAB Awards.
India’s Top Architects
India’s Top Builders
CWAB Regional-South
Top Architect (Tie):
Top Builder
Top Architect
CWAB Regional-East
Top Architect
CWAB Regional-North
Top Architect (Tie)
Noteworthy Projects
Top Challengers 2018-19
Railways approves major upgrade for Telangana traction lines
The Ministry of Railways has approved the upgradation of the electric traction system in two crucial railway sections — Medchal–Mudkhed (225 km) and Mahbubnagar–Dhone (184 km). The projects, costing Rs 1.93 billion and Rs 1.23 billion respectively, will enhance the electric traction capacity from 1X25 KV to 2X25 KV. The work includes modifications to circuit breakers and switching stations, along with the installation of additional conductors. These routes serve as vital links between Northern and Southern India via Hyderabad. Once completed, the upgraded system will reduce voltage dro..
Adani to invest Rs 425 billion more in Maharashtra’s Dighi Port
The Adani Group has committed to invest an additional Rs 425 billion in the Dighi Port project, located along Maharashtra’s coastal Konkan belt, government officials announced on Monday. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ)-run Dighi Ports signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government to undertake the expansion of the port and related infrastructure. This new commitment comes as part of a broader investment initiative by the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the agreement is among 15 MoUs worth over Rs 560 billion signed during the opening d..
HUDCO, JNPA sign Rs 50 billion deal for port development
In a strategic move, the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd (HUDCO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) for an investment of Rs 50 billion to revamp and develop port infrastructure. The non-binding agreement is intended to strengthen cooperation on both existing and upcoming infrastructure projects, with a focus on development, financing, and refinancing of port facilities at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port. The MoU was formalised with the signatures of Sanjay Kulshrestha, Chairman and Managing Director of HUDCO, and Unmesh Shar..
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