Encouraging responsible architecture

Karachi

In the architecture of today, the need for the architects is to share their inputs for the building environment and to design more consciously, being totally responsive to the climatic conditions and other needs.

We have to be community-conscious and responsive to the needs of all segments of society, mindful of their economic or social status.

These observations were made by Arif Chengazi, chairman of the Institution of Engineers of Pakistan (IAP), at the commencement of the three-day ‘IAP Building Materials Exhibition and Conference 2016’ at the Expo Centre on Friday morning. The theme of the exhibition is ‘Responsible Architecture’.

Vice-chairperson and convenor, IAPEX 2016, Shehla Tasleem, said that the theme was a reminder that we as architects and members of society had to play our responsible role and bequeath our future generations a better world. She also presented the vote of thanks.

Others who spoke were IAP President Ali Zafar Qazi; architect Aijaz Ahad; Akeel Bilgrami; Habib Fida Ali; Zaigham Jafri; Shahab Ghani; Gulzar Haider from Lahore; and Shama Usman.

The three-day event will also feature five overseas speakers from Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Bangladesh.

All the speakers laid special emphasis on the environmental and climatic factors while planning mansions and cities. Later, the ground floor of the building was host to over 150 pavilions displaying the latest in building materials, and all items that go into building a structure with modern amenities.

The pavilions were set up both by foreign and local companies. One of these, of a company dealing in home automated systems, allowed home owners to control all electrical appliances in their homes centrally, which certainly is a revolutionary development and what was most redeeming was that it was the innovation of a Pakistani company. The company also displayed automated blinds, blinds that go opaque automatically and control the inflow of heat or cold.

Then there was the UK-based multinational, Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), displaying their latest finishing technique for buildings. It was a revolutionary method, whereby, the exterior of a building gives a smooth, silky  effect.

One of the most unique presentations was by ‘Fibre Tech’ of a portable bathroom, complete with a toilet seat, a wash basin, and an overhead tank. This innovation is meant for use on sites where construction is taking place which require constant on-site presence of personnel. However, the most useful one was a stall which not only had commercial or scientific value, but also incorporated a deep-seated human element. It was a stall set up by the Karachi Vocational Training Centre which employs labour by special children. On display were really fancy greeting cards for all occasions designed by these children, and also settees, chairs, tables and couches crafted by them.

The exhibition saw a constant stream of visitors and those coming in seemed to be really impressed by the items on display. One newly-wed young couple this correspondent spoke to seemed to be really happy and shared their plans and their enthusiasm for the home they were dreaming of setting up soon.