Vol. 26, No. 01. ISSN No. 2073-9001 JANUARY 2010 CONTRACTORspeaks on ARCHITECTURE

LECTURE EARTH QUAKE MUSEUM CITIES SEE INSIDE The concept of world class cities & its Architects act on Haiti Mohatta Palace Museum & Cultural Redefining 'World City' for impact on urban planning (Page 4) Earth Quake (Page 4) Complex Foundation laid (Page 19) Karachi (Page 20) There is something greatly World's tallest building'Burj Khalifa' lacking in our education system. is Unveiled to the World People don't have enough exposure. “Today students getting out of the college are not of the same level as of before. There are some colleges which are good but majority of them aren't. The reason could be

that there are so many colleges that all of them can't have good

professors. I think we need to condense our education, have lesser colleges so that they“ have good staff. Also, the students need to be taken on trips and made aware of the architecture that is happening all around. Hafeez Contractor

The world's tallest build- The tower is 320 metres and shows to the world what the tower's offices and apart- ing was unveiled to an esti- taller than Taiwan's Taipei 101, can be achieved when commu- ments have been sold. mated crowd of over 400,000 which had held the title of nities work in partnership." 'At the Top' opens officially and the world, in a crescendo world's tallest building since A dramatic sound, light, fire- to the public on January 5. The of fireworks, lasers and foun- 2004, the year when the project work and fountain display handover of offices and apart- tain displays. was announced. described the evolution of the ments starts in February, and The official height of the Mohamed Alabbar, tower, and ended in a breathtak- the Armani Hotel Dubai will be tower, unveiled as 'Burj Chairman of Emaar Properties, ing climax of lasers and fire- opened by its designer, Giorgio Khalifa', was announced as 828 said that the tower represented works, bathing the tower and the Armani, on March 18. metres (2,716.5 ft). a symbol of hope to the Arab surrounding area in white light. More than 60 leading con- 'Burj Khalifa', developed by world and a shining example of 'Burj Khalifa' comprises sultants including South Emaar Properties, is the world's human achievement. luxury residences and Korea's Samsung Corporation tallest building according to the "Thousands of people from offices, the world's first and New York-based Turner three criteria of the Council on more than 100 countries have Armani Hotel, and the Construction International Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat: contributed to the realisation of world's highest observation realised the design for Burj 'Height to Architectural Top', 'Burj Khalifa'. The tower deck, 'At the Top', which is Khalifa by Chicago-based 'Height To Highest Occupied embodies the spirit and opti- located on the tower's 124th Skidmore, Owings and Floor', and 'Height To Tip'. mism of global collaboration, floor. Around 90 per cent of Merrill (SOM). Aga Khan Award for Architecture Published by the Professionals Announces Master Jury for 2010 ARCHI TIMES

For the Professionals... Geneva: The members of Award cycle are: Professor Kongjian Yu years to projects that set new the Master Jury of the Aga Professor Souleymane Landscape architect and standards of excellence in Khan Award for Architecture Bachir Diagne urbanist; founder and dean of architecture, urban and region- were announced. The Jury, Professor, Department of Graduate School of al design, conservation and which selects the recipients of Philosophy, Columbia Landscape Architecture, landscape architecture. the Award, will convene in University, USA Peking University, China Through its efforts, the Award January to review the 401 Mr. Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj Mr. Jean Nouvel seeks to identify and encourage nominated projects and select Architect; Chief Executive Architect; founding partner, building concepts that success- approximately 25 finalists, Officer, Syria Trust for Ateliers Jean Nouvel, France fully address the needs and which will then be subject to Development Ms. Alice Rawsthorn aspirations of societies in on-site reviews by independent Professor Salah Hassan Design critic, International which Muslims have a signifi- experts. The Jury will meet for Art historian and curator; Herald Tribune, UK cant presence. The selection a second time in June to select director of Africana Studies Mr. Basem Al Shihabi process emphasizes architec- the Award recipients from the and Research Center, Cornell Architect; Managing ture that not only provides for group of finalists. Recipients University, USA Partner, Omrania & people's physical, social and will be announced at a ceremo- Ms. Faryar Javaherian Associates, Saudi Arabia. economic needs, but that ny in autumn 2010. Architect and curator; co-founder The Aga Khan Award for also stimulates and responds The nine members of the of Gamma Consultants, Iran Architecture, established in to their cultural and spiritual Master Jury for the 2010 Mr. Anish Kapoor - Artist, UK 1977, is given every three Continued on Page # 23 ARCHI TIMES JANUARY 2010 12 ARCHI TIMES JANUARY 2010 13 ARCHITECT OF THE MONTH ICI DULUX ARCHITECT SERIES ICI DULUX ARCHITECT SERIES

HAFEEZ CONTRACTOR

Infosys Progeon, Bengaluru God's Choicest Blessing to Architecture

Text: Ar. Apurva Bose Dutta ing the Accommodation Times very good student - Infact last and told him that the window I have been talking about this Pictures Courtesy: Award for Architect of the Year night only I was reading some wouldn't open. That architect for the past 20 years, but its Hafeez Contractor (1991), Interiors Today Award letters that I had written to my laughed it off since he was sur- today that you see everyone for Excellence in Design and mother as a child. One of them prised at how I would know this, talking about green buildings. PROFILE Architecture (1991), J.K. Cement said that I was sorry about the but when I showed it to my We had done a proposal for a rchitect Hafeez Commendation Award for Group present report card and that I cousin he was stunned since it small building some eight years Contractor virtually Housing in Urban Context would give her a better report was right. He asked me to draw back when no one was talking needs no introduction, (1991), DLF Trophy by Rajdhani the next time. When I passed out a window detail which I did in about green buildings. I am not Anor in his mother land Estate Promoters $ Builders of SSC I had 50% marks- I had two minutes. He then asked me against development but it is India or internationally where he Association (1994), Priyadarshni been a good NCC student for a to design a house and I made an also important to keep our has placed India on the world Academy Award for `The Field of lot of years hence I thought that axonometric view of it in five forests and greenery intact. My map. He has given an altogeth- Architecture' (1998), The CNBC army would be the apt career for minutes flat. Looking at my website has articles on high er new meaning to high rises Asian Property Awards for 'The me. When I was in the third work, he advised me to stop rise, and there is a specific arti-

I design for a cause - my with his designs, forms and func- best architecture in 2006' for his standard I used to draw and everything and get into architec- cle under the title 'Its time to tions. Architecture in India has project 23 Marina Dubai, Top design guns, bikes, tanks and I ture. With the influence of give it back'- which outlines architecture is for the people - gone vertical majorly thanks to Architect of the year by remember my teacher at that another cousin in Bombay I got what a city should be. One his vision and propagation of Construction World (2007), The moment telling me to become an a form. I obtained a A+ in my needs to express one's self in a what they want. I don't do it as an building high rises. Born in best commercial property at the architect when I grow up. When entrance exams and all through very intense manner. 1950, Hafeez Sorabe Contractor 'CNBC Awaaz - Crisil Real I graduated from SSC there were college I was first class first. I I design for a cause - my

artist and make it a tool to express commenced his career in 1968 Estate Awards 2007' for the two things. My mother was a scored very high marks in architecture is for the people - with T. Khareghat as an Hiranandani bg house, Mumbai. teacher and her monthly income design which no one had scored what they want. I don't do it as myself. An artist makes a painting Apprentice Architect and in 1977 He has also had exhibitions - was less as compared to how previously. After graduation I an artist and make it a tool to became the associate partner in One Man shows at the JJ College expensive architectural educa- went to the Columbian universi- express myself. An artist makes where he expresses himself and the same firm. Between 1977 and of Architecture and Jehangir Art tion was at that time. Since I got ty. Throughout my career as a a painting where he expresses “ “ 1980 Hafeez has been a visiting Gallery at Mumbai. a second class I couldn't manage student I was working. I would a customer who likes it buys it. himself and a customer who faculty at the Academy of Apurva Bose Dutta (ABD): a form for architecture admis- go for Morning College, work likes it buys it. In architecture Architecture, Mumbai. He is a Please apprise us of your pro- sions too since at that time stu- from 5 in the evening till 11.30- In architecture we first look at member of the Bombay Heritage fessional education and back- dents with only 80% could man- 12 at night. Even today I tell we first look at people's per- Committee and New Delhi ground. age that. I knew just one college everyone that for nearly 30 years spective, time, and construc- people's perspective, time, and Lutyens Bungalow Zone Review Hafeez Contractor (HC): I of architecture then - Sir JJ I never saw sunlight. I worked tion. There is so much to archi- Committee. His own practice did my Undergraduation from the College of Architecture in for 365 days - with no holidays. tecture than just art which construction. There is so much to began in 1982 with a staff of two Academy of Architecture, Mumbai. Hence, in the required So, that was the amount of hard unfortunately people don't architecture than just art which which has today increased to a Mumbai. I further went on to circumstances I considered army work that went in. believe. We had a school proj- staff of 400 employees including pursue my Post Graduation in as the best option. I got my letter ABD: You are known for ect for a village by the govern- unfortunately people don't senior associates, architects, Urban Design and Architecture of joining too for it, but alas my your penchant for building ment of Maharashtra in which interior designers, draftsmen, from the Columbian University. aunt who never wanted me to high rises. Is there any specific we had given our proposal in believe. civil engineering team and ABD: What does architec- join it tore the letter without reason for the same? How mud which was approved by architectural support staff. The ture mean to you? What has informing me. My mother felt would you like to define your the IS officer in charge then, firm has conceptualized, been the reason why you took that after SSC I should do grad- architecture? but then he got transferred and designed and executed a wide up this field as opposed to your uation and then join the police HC: If you ask me, I would the next officer didn't like it. range of architectural projects desire of joining the army? force as I wanted. So I joined an also like to stay in a bungalow, She said that they had a budget like bungalows, residential HC: My father who died Arts College. We had to learn have a garden of my own, have of Rs 1 lakh only, so if I made developments, hospitals, hotels, before I was born was a busi- French there which was being tea in the veranda and see birds a small room for her she would corporate offices, banking and nessman - my father and grand- taught by a lady who was the chirping and butterflies danc- be very happy. I suggested that financial institutions, commer- father had power houses in wife of my cousin who hap- ing. But I am propagating high we could incorporate four cial complexes, shopping malls, Ratlam. I was a very mischie- pened to be an architect. I used rises since when you look at our classrooms in the same budget educational institutions, recre- vous boy hence I was put in a to go to her office to learn core population; to accommo- too. Since these schools were ational and sports facilities, boarding school at Nasik at an French; once when my cousin date them what we are doing is to be in villages, a one acre plot townships, airports, railway sta- early age. Also, my mother was was not there one of the archi- spreading our cities far off and with 2-3 trees could be tions, urban planning and civic very young so she went back to tects drew a window detail destroying forests. The only obtained very easily in a vil- redevelopment projects. college where she studied and (which is quite an advanced good solution to house such a lage. With rubble stones (that He has been a recipient of a later on became a teacher. I drawing); since it interested me big population is by going high was lying around) and mud we large number of awards includ- should admit that I was not a so much I peeped into his work so that the mass transit is clear. made a 6' high and 4' wide Infosys Progeon, Bengaluru ARCHI TIMES JANUARY 2010 14 ARCHI TIMES JANUARY 2010 15 ICI DULUX ARCHITECT SERIES ICI DULUX ARCHITECT SERIES

D.Y.Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai boundary wall on an acre or half managing it? There was a time when all I want- what are your feelings? liked me I would get appointed. acre by first dumping rubble and HC: When I get a project I ed to do was work - that passion HC: For us to be recognized The Chinese guy who was taking then putting mud on it. There are develop the concept in two min- still remains. One day I heard a globally, it is going to take a long my interview asked me to show always old doors and windows in utes and then pass it on to my guy saying that I was such a fool time. One gets recognised global- my work and after seeing the Infosys GEC , Mysore villages so we got four old doors. office staff who develop it further that I would work for free too, ly not if he/she is doing a good job same, he was shocked as to why I gave much higher percentage colleges so that they have good ABD: You have been known HC: There was a time when I come into the perspective. Every Since it was a primary school we and bring it back to me. So, and that I didn't have any affini- but if the media is doing the right had come for an interview when I remuneration to the Britishers as staff. Also, the students need to for unique concepts, which ini- used to say that I don't follow time a new material comes, the had an entrance in the wall com- though the initial thought is mine, ty for money. That day changed work for you. Sadly, our Indian had done ten times more and bet- compared to us. Thus, I think it be taken on trips and made tially were also debated on. How Vaastu, but now I believe that if I older generation definitely looks pound so that the kids would I have plenty of people who me and I realized that everyone media is not doing the same thing. ter work than him. I told him that is very important that to be aware of the architecture that is difficult has it been for you to can use it to some extent I at it with scepticism. But the point come running inside the com- develop and work on my concept. is judging me by the amount of I have some of my best buildings his firm was recognized but my globalized, our own people first happening all around. explain your concepts to the don't think there is anything is that we are changing and that's pound and play there. With Also, I do work that is supposed money that I have. Even today I in Mysore but no one has seen client didn't recognize me. recognize us, as we have better ABD: From residential users, builders and technicians? wrong. Hence I follow them the most practical way of doing another tree we made a seating to be done by me - factors like will work at any cost, and I do them because the media doesn't Another instance involved a client talent than others. developments, hospitality, HC: These concepts which are for some projects while for things. It has not only to do with underneath and also made a place talking to clients, negotiating is free work for charitable institu- feel it ok to publish or show them. who was doing a very tall building ABD: You have served as a recreational, institutional, unique, sometimes work and others I don't - to a large extent architecture but everything. for toilet. We managed another taken care of by my staff. I am tions -like we did a school in Indian media is more concerned and when I submitted my design visiting faculty at the Academy aviation projects, urban plan- sometimes don't. 99% of the times it depends upon the client. People have also changed and three classrooms like this. just concerned with the architec- Delhi. So if today a guy comes about news that gives them a he termed it as 'horrible'. Six of Architecture, Mumbai. How ning and redevelopment proj- they have worked and unfortunate- ABD: Have Indian architects today they want glass in their I am not restricted to one partic- ture, rest of the things are handled to me for design and I know that mileage immediately and archi- months down the line the client would you rate the architectural ects, is there any specific kind ly the 1% when they have not travelled the right path from buildings since they want to make ular kind of project. We do projects by my staff, so I must tell you that he is charging somewhere else tecture doesn't do that. That's why appointed a foreigner and when I education of India as of today of project left that you desire worked has not been because of tradition to modernity? How it look contemporary. where the rates range from Rs 20 I am still looking for work. too, I won't let him get me to I think for us to get globalize it visited his office, the client and what changes would you to create today? the design but due to the extra time important is the architecture of The past is very important to per sqft to Rs 35000 per sqft. Hence ABD: Your own practice has work by paying less. My ulti- will take quite sometime, and that seemed very happy with the suggest in it? HC: We haven't done many taken for the contract. But I do feel the past for you? us- it teaches you how problems whatever is appropriate to the user I grown from a staff of two to 400 mate aim is to be recognised by holds true for all architects. I can design. To my dismay, I found that HC: There is something factories, so I would like to do that unless and until we don't ven- HC: Whatever is happening were tackled in those circum- advice in a similar manner, and at employees today. During this doing good architecture. recall an instance when I was the design was exactly like one of greatly lacking in our education factories. I actually don't have any ture out into new concepts new today is due to specific reasons, the stances regarding finance, con- the right price- that is what my entire journey what has been ABD: You have taken a lead doing some work for a hotel at a the three designs that I had system. People don't have regrets of not doing any particular things won't come up. I am not same way why it happened earlier. struction, sociology. The past architecture is all about. your biggest motivation or pas- in the globalization process as time when I hadn't done any hotel showed him. So, I guess we enough exposure. Today students kind of project as I have worked afraid of creating new concepts - Wood and stone were used in always is the main guiding to the ABD: Considering the fact sion to succeed like no one in far as Indian architecture is previously in India. My client told are in awe of white skin. I getting out of the college are not on all kinds - bridges, tunnels, for everything there will be appre- architecture in the beginning not future. We apply those principles that you have the maximum this field? considered. When you look me that I had to work with foreign used to go to Dubai for work, of the same level as of before. everything. Wherever I can con- ciation or criticism. If on the whole only because everyone loved them from the past because these princi- quantum of work today in HC: To be honest, one's pas- back on all that you have sacri- consultants and then they would and there are some Indian There are some colleges which tribute to anything related to you are doing well and if the inten- but more because it was the avail- ples would always stay to guide us India, how do you go about sion changes as time goes by. ficed in reaching to this peek, take my interview; in case they friends who were builders and are good but majority of them built form and in whatever tions are clear then there is nothing able material then. Hence there is a to create the right future. aren't. The reason could be that capacity, I would do that. In else to worry about. comfort attached to that material ABD: What is the biggest there are so many colleges that some projects I am the leader, in ABD: What do you think which I too feel. Then an era came challenge that an architect faces all of them can't have good pro- others someone else is the leader; of the application of Vaastu when people started building in in today's world? fessors. I think we need to con- in those projects we respect that in architecture? Do you ever bricks after which stone and then HC: I feel we are posed with dense our education, have lesser someone and be a part of it follow it? concrete followed. Now glass has many challenges some of them

Infosys SDB4, Mysore B.G.House, Powai ARCHI TIMES JANUARY 2010 16 ARCHI TIMES JANUARY 2010 17 ICI DULUX ARCHITECT SERIES NEWS

Infosys SDB6 , Bengaluru

I haven't visited Pakistan though I have some distant relatives staying there. But from whatever little I know of it, it's a nice and beautiful

Infosys, Pune country, with architecture that is being - providing appropriate HC: I would say some are cost architecture. What is your maybe that's the best part of been lots of international projects well done - maybe that's the best housing to billons of people, pro- very talented; some are extremely approach towards these three Pakistan that has changed. for designing, some have taken off viding cities which are environ- talented so we can expect to see important facets? ABD: You have been a and most of them haven't. part of Pakistan that has changed. mentally friendly, finding place some very good work in the com- HC: I feel that we should brand name in the industry who ABD: What would you like for constructing houses and work- ing years. But talent is one thing leave the world in a much better has put India on the world map to say about the architecture of places and do all this without and perseverance is something state than what we got it; we with your architecture. What other countries - which would You can appreciate Jaisalmer and world architecture. destroying forests, reforesting all else. And I have sadly noticed that should try and not leave any changes have you noticed while you term as your favourite? at the same time you can appreci- Right now I am doing a lot of forests which have been not many younger guys have that kind of debt for our future gener- designing for countries other HC: There is diverse architec- ate a 100 storey building in New projects, and all of them are very destroyed, and proper channelisa- kind of perseverance. Today every ations. I genuinely feel that if we than India? ture happening in different parts York. If you look at the slums of interesting. I love all of them. tion of alternative resources. new architect looks at money as are not addressing factors like HC: Architecture in other of the world and it is not possible Mumbai, they are no less. Thus The Imprint Our previous generation left a the first goal which is not the right sustainability, global warming, countries is much simpler since to take the name of one since it is you can't compare the architecture After so many years spent on lot for us and we should do the approach to design. how to construct cities; if we the laws are simple; but eventual- more important to realise the cir- of different countries. studying about him" reading about same for our future generations. ABD: Which other architects can't find a way of housing mil- ly one understands his/her country cumstances, era in which the ABD: Amongst your vast him, seeing his works being We shouldn't destroy and leave from other countries would you lions of people - then we are the best; so I find working in India buildings were built. If you go to repertoire of projects is there debated on, I got to see the real our future generations in debt. As say are approaching architec- doing the right job. the easiest. I am doing some inter- St Petersburg, it's a different expe- any one project which has given Hafeez Contractor and realised an architect and a thinker, this ture in the way you are doing it. ABD: Have you visited national projects. I was doing a rience, New York is different, you the biggest challenge? Also, why he is one of the biggest would be my advice to all. HC: I can only think of Robert Pakistan? What would you say building in Dubai and a hotel in Helsinki gets you to a different is there any unrealized project, names in contemporary Indian ABD: You have been a jury Stern from America who is about the architecture there? Mauritius which sadly didn't get world altogether. I for one appre- which you regret the most? architecture. He comes across as member for a large number of approaching architecture in a simi- HC: I haven't visited Pakistan completed. Then there was the ciate all kind of architecture and HC: There have been lots of one of the best examples of suc- architectural competitions, the- lar manner. He designs what is though I have some distant rela- Infosys office in China which did- can't pin point one which is the small projects which have been cess following hard work, and of sis and have also trained a lot of appropriate for a specific project. tives staying there. But from n't get built too. Now I am doing best. If you look at some African very challenging - with no budg- possessing\such a humble some work in Kenya and am villages and consider the hard- et and very tight sites. If I have to demeanour inspite of being such a people under you. How would ABD: Architecture is today whatever little I know of it, it's a roaring success in the industry. you commend the work of more about sustainability, nice and beautiful country, with doing a 130 storey building in ships and circumstances in which name a project it would have to Dubai. Thus, though there have Not quite the person he is some- younger architects of today? green architecture and low architecture that is well done - they were built, it's beautiful. be the Osho Ashram in Pune. The times projected, Mr Contractor challenge in it was that the client inspired me with his dedication to would keep on telling me what do good architecture. Some peo- he wanted but would never meet ple are totally God gifted and me. And I sincerely believe that incase of Hafeez Contractor archi- when a client meets you, the tecture comes to him through this problems get solved easily. But gift of God and his total dedica- the building that has come up has tion and love for it. When you been very interesting and nice look through his resume his men- with a black exterior. tion of each of his employees in it There have been a lot of proj- - whether it's an architect, trainee, ects which have been unrealised. the peon or his driver, one can't But I regret the unrealisation of help admiring him for the value the Infosys building in Shanghai that he attaches with everything. the most, which would have been Such living legends are God's a complete marvel- it was a com- choicest blessing on this earth!!! plete mound. Had it got completed it would have created waves in the -- Apurva Bose Dutta Apurva Bose Dutta is a correspondent of ARCHI TIMES & ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS (A+I) from India. She is an architect, pursuing architectural journalism. She writes for various architectural /interior journals and websites. She has been in the core team of India’s leading architec- tural publications namely ‘Architecture + Design’ and “ Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport ” - Mumbai ‘Indian, Architect and Builder’.