India CSR News Network
CHENNAI: Saint-Gobain Glass India’s annual design competition ‘Transparence’ was organized for students of Architecture and Design.It was the ninth edition of the event. Transparence, India’s largest competition for students of architecture and Interior design is a unique initiative by Saint-Gobain Glass to integrate the student community, architects and the industry. The event is supported by Ms. Gita Balakrishnan run ‘Ethos’.Held at the Jubilee Auditorium at the Hindustan University, and judged by an eminent jury comprising of Ar. Sanjay Kanvinde from Kanvinde Rai and Chaudhary Associates.
The occasion also saw the launch of tenth edition Transparencevision document by Ar. Ravi Sarangan. Padmashri Ar. C N Raghavendran unveiled the theme for the 2015 edition: Social Mass Housing. This is all the more special because the 10th edition will coincide with the 350th anniversary of Saint Gobain. Affordable housing is a necessity in India. The Government of India has planned a “Housing for all by 2022” program. In addition the Government has also actively mooted the Smart City concept which involves building 100 new smart cities by 2035. While these smart cities are envisaged to have better facilities, better connectivity and better environment, it will also include a strong focus on Social housing.
Saint-Gobain also gave away scholarships for students in the field of architecture.six students from across India and one Indian national based out of Greece received INR One lakh each worth scholarships to pursue activities in the field of architecture ranging from projects on designing innovative, pragmatic and socially relevant prototypes of Cultural Material for the disabled (differently-abled) , Disaster Management Strategy in Uttarakhand to a research based sustainable design for a toilet cum garbage collection unit in urban areas, on integration of urban and peri urban agriculture with climate change action plans..
Thirteen colleges took up the theme of Transparence 2014 as studio projects and were awarded books worth INR 30,000 per college as aid. Reaching out to a larger set of students on the sidelines of the Grand Finale the day comprised of a workshop on Architecture for Smart Cities conducted by Ar. Oscar and a Glass Academy certified workshop which was followed by a Panel Discussion. The panel had eminent architects like Padma Shri C.N. Raghvendran, Ar. Rohit Saxena, Ar. Sanjay Kanvinde, Ar. Ravi Sarangan and Ar. Sohrab Dalal talking about ‘My Future as an Architect‘. The Saint-Gobain Scholarship Program 2015 of INR One lakh for each students of Architecture and Interior Design was also announced at the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. R Subramanian, Managing Director Saint-Gobain India Pvt. Ltd. Glass and Solutions said “Transparence is Saint-Gobain’s innovative response to the changing times – the use of glass as a sustainable material for design is testimony to this. Transparence has always aimed to inspire and motivate the student community to showcase their talent. I am sure Transparence 2015 will be bigger than ever as it reaches its tenth edition , coinciding with 350 Years Celebration of firm”
Mr. B Santhanam, President Flat Glass South Asia, Malaysia and Egypt said “This year too Transparence travelled across Indian borders and was open to the SAARC countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. We are happy to take this spirit which has ignited the passion of the Indian students of architecture to the students of other countries as well. He also mentioned that “It is great to witness the budding young architects and designers coming out with fresh and innovative ideas for the industry. This is a big opportunity for students to develop their skills. The overwhelming response from India and the SAARC countries has reinforced our belief that creative young minds need a platform like Transparence to showcase their talent and we will continue to provide this kind of encouragement to the student community”
