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Usher in a revolution, young architects told

Staff Reporter

M.V. Devan rues rapid urbanisation

CALL FOR BEST PRACTICES: District Collector A.P.M Mohammed Hanish inaugurating a convention of the Indian Institute of Architects Kerala chapter in the city on Saturday. - Photo: H.V.

Kochi: Architects of the new Legislative Assembly Complex in Thiruvananthapuram might be proud of their work, but senior artist M.V. Devan begs to differ.

"I will be the first person to bring it down for its poor architectural style," he said at the inaugural session of the Kerala chapter convention of the Indian Institute of Architects in the city on Saturday.

Mr. Devan showered praise on the architectural marvel of the old Secretariat building. "It remains a fine example of Gothic style."

Urging young architects to usher in a revolution in their field, Mr. Devan said that rapid urbanisation has resulted in the removal of century-old heritage buildings. He came down heavily on those trying to erase the rich glory of the past by bringing down heritage buildings in the name of real estate development.

"There is no land for agriculture. The green fields are disappearing. For erecting huge buildings, we are bringing down hills," he said.

The veteran artist stressed the need to introduce stringent legal measures in India for protecting the natural resources and heritage sites.

Ernakulam District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, who inaugurated the convention, called upon the architects to introduce the best practices in construction and conceptualisation.

"The benefits of development should reach the common man. Architects should think whether they should undertake a project where the client is well served but society suffers," he said.

Ashalata Thampuran, chairperson of the Kerala chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects, exhorted her fraternity to resist attempts made by certain sections to question the freedom enjoyed by architects.

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