SMARTEX 2023
Smartex: The Trailblazer & the ‘Biggest of All’ Events of Its Kind in Delhi-NCR Creates Powerful Template for a Bright & Better Future the recently concluded Conference and Expo in New Delhi, turned out to be an incredibly successful and inspiring event that saw the gathering of some of the most renowned and respected architects, designers, influencers, engineers, and product makers for a common, shared goal. The idea behind the initiative was to create a platform where these professionals, involved with the field, in one way or the other, could come forward and collaborate for the betterment and improvement of all. As it turned out, the mega event proved successful beyond all expectations. It witnessed a gathering of some of the topmost names from distinguished fields who stood united under one roof and pledged to ‘take the dialogue forward’ on a smart and better future, through their fine works and collaborations with other like-minded professionals. Ar. Shruti Dimri, Anagram Architects, set the ball rolling when she made the inaugural speech for the conference and expo where—post giving a brief introduction of the event—she thanked all the participating architects and designers, before she informed the audience about the Smartex event itinerary, which, she added, had keynote talks, panel discussions, technical presentations, and felicitation ceremony, among others. The Legends Sunita Kohli, Padm Shri (1992); ‘Airport King’ Ar. Chanrajit S. Shah; Veteran Architect Premendra Raj Mehta; and Prof. Manoj Mathur… the cream of the architect-designer fraternity graced the event to make it a memorable one, through their thought-provoking keynote talks and incisive observations on many important and contemporary issues centred on arts, culture, geography, and architecture. While Sunita Kohli spoke on her illustrious and much talked about work, “Manifestations of KALA & Contemporary Design: Aesthetics And Ideas,” and drew the attention of the world towards India’s rich cultural and architectural heritage; Ar. P R Mehta brought the attention of all towards the fact that architecture doesn’t find a mention in our constitution while adding that art and architecture would never flourish without patronisation. He however, quickly added that architects don’t need to patronise. On the other hand, ‘Airport King’ Chanrajit S. Shah focused on India-inspired architecture, which, he said, was required when most people in India seem happy to ape the world-empowered architecture. Meanwhile, Prof. Manoj Mathur explained why we should learn to un-build and touched the sensitive issue of the debris left after the demolition of old building structures to make new ones. He then added that such structures should be re-used and not demolished—just for the sake of making a new one. Other Top Architects & Designers Lipika Sud, Lipika Sud Interiors; Ar. Amrita Dasgupta, Studio CoDe; Dona Alex, Myspace Architects; Ar. Rahul Tyagi, Rahul Tyagi & Associates; Ar. Chandrika Sahay, Meraki Dezine;; Ar. Manishi Aggarwal, Design Cosmos; Ar. Vineel Mathi, MAP Design Consultants; Ar. Gagandeep Kapila, Workshop for Metropolitan Architecture; Ar. Priyanka P Mehra, P S Design; Ar. Nikita Bajaj Pathak, Design21; Ar. Abhigyan Neogi, Chromed Design Studio; Ar. Natasha Kochhar, LTDF; Ar. Abhishek