Architecture Competition Milan Navigli Canal Challenge Honorable mention – AANGAN ARCHITECTS

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winner for our "Milan Navigli Canal Challenge" competition – Vishal Shah, Prakruti Desai and Vishal Desai from India!

Honorable mention winners from India

Aangan Architects was instituted in 2002 and since 20 years it has been working on various projects and initiatives ranging from Public Projects to private residences, from large scale open space developments to articulated interior spaces. With sustainability ingrained in the design and thought process at Aangan, the design solutions emerge in response to local climate, culture and people. A multi-faceted practice which believe in teamwork, the firm  possess expertise in the field of architecture, urban design, interior design and landscape. Collaboration with multidisciplinary people and organisations ensures the presence of Aangan in multiple spheres of built environment.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been  involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred,  any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been  involved?

Aangan deals with projects ranging from Hacters to sq.ft. Having dealt with Master planning and Urban design projects of large scale to state of the art design of interior spaces and residences, Aangan is inclined to projects of any scale that offers design challenge. Aangan have been instrumental in realising projects of waterbody revitalisation and public space creation, memorials of national importance, placemaking projects, educational and social institution, mass housing, animal shelters, private residences and work places.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect  in your society?

Architecture in today’s time should be looked at from a holistic viewpoint, it should address issues of change and continuity, environment and climate change as well as be equally a part of development of the society. It should not be looked as an exclusive or elitist discipline, but one that touches day today issues and provide innovative solutions for the same. With architects being trained to look at issue from an innovative perspective, their skills should be employed to provide effective solutions for day today issue including water, health, environment, social interaction and the digital revolution.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

By taking part in design competition, we accept a challenge and opportunity to provide out of the box ideas for organisations looking for innovative solutions. Participation in architecture competition encourages us to push our limits, try on new ways of representing our ideas and break the norms of physical territoriality.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide  whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture  competitions?

There is always a dilemma at every stage of one’s career to participate in design competition, whether in early stage of the career when you are struggling to make ends meet or at a later stage when you have to puts your efforts and time into something which ‘may or may not’ fetch you definite results. Our way of looking at this is that at any stage of your career you can always allot time to do something that you love, competitions always helps you evaluate where you stand amongst your peers.