In absence of proactive local regulations, self-driving cars will exploit city streets for commercial use. These vehicles will provide dining, retail, entertainment, and other services to passengers without paying commercial rent. They will redefine city life, disrupt real estate industry and free up spaces occupied by parking structures. Continue reading Self-driving cars and commercial use of public streets
A recent court case concluded that a Pizza chain violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not offering a fully accessible web site to a visually impaired individual. This decision has far reaching impact on ADA compliance for business websites with physical place of accommodation. Continue reading ADA Compliance for Business Websites
Formal structure is the underlying system of order that unites the visible elements of architecture such as walls, columns, and roofs. This book takes a deep dive into selected examples of Islamic architecture of Iran and Turkistan. As a companion book to a traveling exhibition by the same name, this book encourages readers to go beyond the visible aspects of Islamic architecture of Iran and Turkistan to a deeper understanding of their formal structure. Continue reading Formal Structure in Islamic Architecture of Iran and Turkistan
Formal structure is the underlying system of order that unites the visible elements of architecture such as walls, columns, and roofs. This book takes a deep dive into selected examples of Hindu and Islamic architecture of pre-colonial India. As a companion book to a traveling exhibition by the same name, this book encourages readers to go beyond the visible aspects of Indian architecture to a deeper understanding of its formal structure Continue reading Formal Structure in Indian Architecture
Prior to the enactment of Architectural Works Copyright Protection Act of 1990 (AWCPA), only architectural drawings were copyrightable. AWCPA expanded copyright protection to completed buildings. What can architects do to manage copyright protection for architectural works? Continue reading Copyright Protection for Architectural Works
The New Landscape discusses uniqueness of urbanization in the Third World and offers suggestions on channeling urbanization by incorporating vernacular elements such as incrementality and open to sky spaces. It asks the architects to become change agents to create the new urban landscape. Continue reading The New Landscape: Urbanization in the Third World
These blog posts capture my reflections as an architect, college professor, practitioner, code official, thinker, and a tourist. They constitute Mimamsa Diary. Continue reading The Making of Mimamsa Diary
Building Departments are often characterized by bureaucratic permit processes, red tape, and constant delays. But change is in the air as many departments take advantage of online permit processes, improved customer service, digital plan reviews, remote inspections, and nimble organizational structures. Continue reading Building Permit Processes: No lines, no waiting, build today
The quality of architectural education depends heavily on its studio culture. It was forced to evolve rapidly as universities around the world embraced online learning to combat pandemic related shutdowns. What is the future of studio culture as the pandemic wanes and life returns to normal? Continue reading The future of studio culture
A 3D printed concrete bridge will be built for the “Time Space Existence” exhibition during the 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale. The exhibition will be hosted by the European Cultural Center. It will display structural elegance through the use of robotics, 3D printing and geometry Continue reading 3D Printed Concrete Bridge
Two powerful hurricanes struck Puerto Rico in September 2017, causing widespread destruction. However, Puerto Rico Convention Center was a shining example of what worked well during the disaster. It was a solar oasis amid widespread electric grid failure and damage. Continue reading An oasis amid electric grid failure: Puerto Rico Convention Center
The tragic 2007 fire at the Deutsche Bank Building in New York City exposed safety lapses and communication breakdowns at various levels. It prompted renewed emphasis on “safety first”, and a major overhaul of demolition and abatement processes in the City. Continue reading What you don’t know can be fatal: Safety First
The Future of US Pavilion was built to celebrate SG50, Singapore’s 50th year of independence in 2015. It demonstrated the power of parametric computing from concept to completion. The pavilion’s exterior skin consists of infinite variations made possible by mass customization and direct digital manufacturing. Continue reading Mass Customization Through Digital Design, Singapore
MLK Drive station on the Hudson Bergen Light Rail Transit was a centerpiece of the MLK Drive Redevelopment Plan. It brought vitality and resurgence to a neglected Jersey City neighborhood by promoting smart growth. Continue reading Smart Growth with Light Rail Transit, Jersey City NJ
The revitalization of retail storefronts at the intersection of Morse Avenue and Carteret Street in Bloomberg NJ, is a perfect … Continue reading Urban Interventions, Bloomfield NJ
The addition to the Historic Town Hall in Kearny NJ welcomes you through an entrance portal reminiscent of the Buddhist Torana. The entrance portal is derived from a stone pediment that existed before the addition was built. Continue reading Buddhist Torana at Kearny NJ Town Hall
“Project Reclaim” set urban revitalization in motion in Jersey City’s MLK Drive neighborhood. The project involved gut renovation of a quintessential Bank building and a new office building on two adjacent lots. The entrance to this project was marked by two minimalist pillars inspired by Indian architecture. Continue reading Headquarters Building Entrance Inspired by Indian Architecture, Jersey City NJ
Indigenous architecture of Chaco Canyon in New Mexico captures our imagination because of its simplicity, order, and beauty. The great house at Chaco canyon flourished between AD 850 and AD 1150. It is a significant archeological find that celebrates native American life and culture. Continue reading Indigenous Architecture of Chaco Canyon
Downtowns can bring people together for work, commerce, worship or amusement. However, many downtowns in Iowa experienced neglect or decline in the eighties. A public education project analyzed Iowa’s changing downtowns and offered suggestions on revitalizing them. Continue reading Iowa’s Changing Downtowns
Designed by the Pritzker Prize Winning architect Balkrishna Doshi, IIM Bangalore campus is rooted in the Indian architectural traditions. It is an architecture of interconnectedness that combines ancient teaching methods with collaborative learning, and synthesizes architecture, urban design, and landscape. Continue reading Architecture of Interconnectedness: IIM Bangalore
The Management Institute at Ahmedabad in India demonstrates architect Louis Kahn’s fascination with expressiveness of commonly used building materials. His masterful architecture of brick and concrete was threatened by possible demolition a few months ago. However, strong lobbying by journalists, architects and preservationists around the world forced the institute to change its course, keeping Louis Kahn’s legacy alive Continue reading Louis Kahn’s Legacy Lives on at IIM Ahmedabad
Beijing’s National Aquatics Center, popularly known as the water cube, will be transformed as an Ice Cube for the 2022 Winter Games. This iconic structure was built using ETFE membrane as the building’s skin. Such skin can breathe and accommodate changes in user requirements with ease. Continue reading Ice Cube for the 2022 Winter Games
Steven Keating’s remarkable career saw him tackle mechanical engineering, materials science, film making, robotics, medical sciences and 3D printing. His pioneering work focused on additive manufacturing technologies which range from cellular biology to 3D printing of entire buildings Continue reading 3D printing of entire buildings
Bejing Daxing International Airport opened in 2019 as the world’s largest single building airport terminal. Its Starfish form has captured people’s imagination. It is expected to handle 72 million passengers per year by 2025. This airport is a fitting tribute to the legacy of architect Zaha Hadid, who died almost five years ago at the age of 66. Continue reading The Starfish has landed: Beijing’s new international airport
The island of Mexcalatitlan de Uribe is known as the Mexican Venice. It traces its origin to the Aztlans of the Aztecs. Its round shape reflects their belief in moon worship, while its colorful houses and legendary history point to the birthplace of Mexico in 1,091 AD. This sustainable island community is full of adventure, ancient history, traditional culture, exotic wildlife and delicious food. Continue reading A Sustainable Island Community: Mexcaltitlan
Nestled in the middle of warehouses, the Balna Whale Commercial Center moves Budapest Architecture into the future through its innovative design and off-site construction methods. Continue reading A Trapped Whale: Budapest Architecture
A rock-cut sustainable home for a Buddhist monk in Junagadh in Western India offers a glimpse of what life and architecture were like during the Mauryan Empire (321–185 BCE). Continue reading A Sustainable Home for a Buddhist Monk, Junagadh, India
A simple act of fetching water on a hot Sunny day becomes celebration of delightful architectural experience at the stepped well of Adalaj in India. It provides a wonderful place of refuge for weary travelers. Continue reading The Stepped Well of Adalaj, India
The Sun temple was built in 1026-27 AD. It celebrates Sun worship and is a wonderful example of architecture that unites earth, water, human existence and outer space. Continue reading The Sun Temple at Modhera, India
The Harrapan city of Dholavira flourished for 1,200 years (3,000 BCE-1,800 BCE) as an important outpost of the Indus Valley civilization. Eventually, it succumbed to climate change and the shifting of rivers away from its shores. It lay buried for several millennia before being rediscovered in 1956. Dholavira is unique among Harrapan cities due to its elaborate water storage and distribution systems, well-organized town planning and sophisticated construction methods. Continue reading Dholavira: The Rise and Fall of a Harrapan City
Egypt is known for pyramids and pharaohs. It is also where an Egyptian architect named Hasan Fathy developed an indigenous style of architecture that blends the modern spirit with traditional craftsmanship. A wonderful example of this postmodern vernacular architecture is found at the New Gourna Village near Luxor. Continue reading Hasan Fathy’s Postmodern Vernacular Architecture
“Know thyself”. That is the great wisdom inscribed at the Temple of Apollo in Greece. Apollo was the God of music, harmony and light and occupied a prominent position in the Delphic Sanctuary. It is at this temple in Delphi, Greece, where Pythia, the famous oracle uttered these words in 4th century BC. Continue reading The Great Wisdom from Ancient Greece
What brings hundreds of people to Piazza Navona in Rome every day? Is it the history that dates back to the Roman empire? Is it great urban design that celebrates human existence by offering places to shop, worship and play? Perhaps the answer lies in all of the above and more. Continue reading Great Urban Design: Piazza Navona, Rome
If you like big and bold architecture, you will love Copenhagen and its world-renowned architect Bjarke Ingles (BIG). It is easy to see why Bjarke has become a cult figure in the world of architecture. You will see the hand of a daring architect in the big and bold suspended balconies at VM Houses, the apartments over a parking garage at Mountain Dwellings, and the giant mixed-use development shaped like the letter 8 at the 8 House. Continue reading Big and bold architecture: Copenhagen, Denmark
One of the most fascinating places to visit in Thailand is its floating market at Ayutthaya. It’s vernacular architecture includes intriguing wooden structures along the waterways with vendors selling their crafts and delicious Thai food. It is also a setting for local vendors to display traditional Thai costumes, and delight the visitors with interesting souvenirs. Continue reading Vernacular Architecture: Thailand’s Floating Market
The Buddhist Architecture of Borobudur displays how an ancient Mandala diagram can evolve into a three-dimensional work of architecture. In order to experience this transformation your journey begins at the foot of the stepped pyramid and takes you on a magical ride through countless Buddha statues in deep mediation overlooking the scenic landscape. Continue reading Buddhist Architecture of Borobudur, Indonesia