




01 | 2023-2024
Source:DesignDissertationbyAmitaSaroya, RCA
•ELECTIVE WEEK VERTICAL STUDIO
•THE (IN)VISIBLES RECOGNITION FOR THESIS PROJECT
•PALAHALLI VILLAGE A DOCUMENTATION TRIP
TEAM
•ARCHFEST 2023 STUDENTS’ FESTIVAL
•GONDHALA FORT A DOCUMENTATION TRIP
•SOLAR DECATHLON INDIA NATIONAL LEVEL COMPETITION 2023
Principal : Prof. Meera Malegaonkar
Editor : Prof. Minaz Ansari
•DIPLOMA IN ARCHITECTURE:•AN OVERVIEW
Proofing and Scrutiny : Asso Prof.Sona Gandhi Design / Layout : Allied Faculty Jovel Silva
As the principal of Rizvi College of Architecture, it's my pleasure to introduce the bi-yearly newsletter of Rizvi College of Architecture - 'RIZVIEWS'. Founded in 1992 as a part of the Rizvi Education Society, under the distinguished leadership of President Dr. Akhtar Hasan Rizvi and Director Adv. Mrs. Rubina Rizvi, Rizvi College of Architecture (RCA) has evolved into a prominent center for research and education in architecture and urban development, offering under-graduate and post-graduate courses in architecture and allied fields.
At RCA, the core tenet of our architectural pedagogy is rooted in the belief that architecture serves as a pivotal instrument for driving desirable social changes and fostering human development We are committed to educating future architects to uphold and embody this principle.
For many years, RCA has cherished a tradition of publishing work and activities in college through our annual publication 'Zeitgeist.' The pandemic imposed a hiatus on this tradition, but it's crucial for RCA to showcase the exceptional work of our students, faculty, and the college itself. Thus, we are excited to present the new format of our newsletter, RIZVIEWS. The introductory edition of RizViews is led by Prof. Minaz Ansari and the dedicated editorial team. RIZVIEWS is a testament to their persistence and hard work. It offers glimpses into our activities and achievements in the first semester of the Academic Year 2023-24.
This academic year, we embarked on a journey with a clear roadmap, focusing on standardization and achieving accreditation to uphold the quality of our architectural education. We aimed to enrich our students with societal and environmental sensibilities, enhance their job potential, and improve their skillsets, while ensuring that both students and faculty enjoy the learning and teaching processes.
In May 2023, we submitted documents for NAAC accreditation (SSR), culminating in our successful accreditation on November 2, 2023. This semester also saw the introduction of the Diploma in Architecture course, newly launched by COA. We are proud to be one of the first institutions to offer this course, approved by the COA and affiliated with MSBTE. RCA now offers all three levels of architectural education: Under-Graduate Degree, Post-Graduate Degree and Diploma.
We've also made strides in education, experimenting with pedagogy and integrating new technologies, like Drone and LiDAR mapping. These initiatives are just a few highlights of our commitment to innovation in architectural education.
One of the highlights of the last semester was the 32nd Archfest, a student-led festival held from August 24th to 26th to celebrate the Foundation Day of the college. The event featured inspiring talks, panel discussions, workshops, and various sports and cultural activities.
RIZVIEWS will share these and many such remarkable moments. This issue of 'RIZVIEWS' is a comprehensive overview of RCA's efforts to foster conscious, creative, and confident architects. We invite you to explore these pages and celebrate the achievements and spirit of RCA with us.
Prof Meera Malegaonkar Principal, Rizvi College of ArchitecturePublication has always been at the core of the institutional goals of Rizvi College of Architecture since the inception of the college in 1992. Various forms of publication including newsletters, annual magazines, books compiling documentation work done by our students and other such publications have been the lifeblood of this institution over the decades.
One such important tradition is the college newsletter which puts together the events and activities that take place in the campus. After a short hiatus, the newsletter has made a comeback in a new digital (and print) form. The new form also comes with a new name - RIZVIEWS, which encapsulates the freedom of thought and expression that the philosophy of the institute embodies, whilst also underlining the various ideologies that coexist on its campus. Aptly coined by Prof Conrad Gonsalves, a key resource person for the college, this new name brings new hope for inclusion, expression and coexistence to continue to thrive at RCA. On behalf of the college, I express my heartfelt gratitude to Prof Gonsalves for this valuable input.
In this issue we cover some of the key events and activities that the students and faculty teams were involved in during the first half of this academic year. The issue also features the accolades earned by our students at some prestigious design competitions.
As we look back at that period, we see a happy mix of experiential learning through settlement studies, conservation initiatives and workshops. Looking back we can see how the vertical studio for electives and the student festival served as a great platform for interdisciplinary learning and interaction between different student groups and also how our students' work continues to make a mark in the outside world.
We are grateful to all our readers for their time and look forward to continuing a meaningful engagement with our readers in the upcoming issues of RIZVIEWS. Happy reading!
Prof. Minaz Ansari Rizvi College Of ArchitectureThe college reopened in the month of June with the Elective Week, which was conducted as a vertical studio for the undergraduate and post-graduate students over a period of six days.
This week gave the students an opportunity to explore and develop their areas of interest allowing them to choose from a variety of topics offered.
The elective topics were planned with a vision to familiarise students with topics categorised under the following themes:
Design – These included parallel design streams feeding into architecture.
Technology – These dealt with material exploration, new building techniques, and environmental design tools.
Humanities – These were aimed at developing an understanding and appreciation of history, culture, arts and architectural theory.
Skill development – These included methods of expression such as sketching, writing, calligraphy, mapping, research and so on.
Students from Semester 3 and 5 from the were pooled together as were those from Semester 7, 9 and Sem 3 Masters’ Program. Overall, the students dealt with the following topics -
Conducted by Asso Prof Altaf Pasha and Asst Prof Parvez Shaikh
This workshop mainly dealt with using wood as a building material. Students were introduced to cutting, shaping and fastening wood to produce a finished product. Preparation of joints, one of the important operations in woodwork was taught and students experimented with these in the carpentry workshop. The final outcome was a bench and a chair-cum-ladder built by the student and faculty team.
Conducted by Prof Tania Shah and Asso Prof Fatema Master
This elective dealt with the introduction of ‘general cartography’ with a more illustrative approach. The intent of the elective was to introduce lessons that students could take from the age-old art of map-making, and use these to compose/build maps in a way that are understood and relatable to the layperson.
Students worked in teams to map and represent various layers of Bandra. The outcome was a set of cartographic maps created by the students that represented their findings.
Prof. Minaz Ansari Rizvi College Of Architecture
Conducted by Asst Prof Sneha Udadar and Asst Prof Vivek Kodoor
The elective focused on methods to develop a visual and spatial understanding of space with help of horticulture as a tool. It dealt with understanding the form of plants, shrubs, and trees for spatial design, layering i.e. arrangement of plants, shrubs, trees in a hierarchy, and the understanding of their colour palette (leaf colour, flower, branch colour) for visual design.The elective included a field trip to Mahim Nature Park. The students participated in class discussions, created models, drawings and a herbarium.
Conducted by Asst Prof Dilshad Tyabji and Asst Prof Sheela Bhole
This elective looked at studying the mechanics of foldable structures by relaxing the condition of rigidity of planar faces, understanding bending and stretching energies, and finding innovative approaches for the design of strikingly rigid deployable structures.
It put forth questions such as - Can boxes be beautiful? Can they be right? Are they the basis of architecture? Can they evolve and adapt? Can they be flexible, accessible, modular, sustainable,
and recyclable? The activity looked at experimenting with models that explored the necessity of various details such as keeping the water flowing off a building or accommodating the structure that enables the box to be opened.
Conducted by Asso Prof Vrinda Gokhale and Asst Prof Jigar Patel
Architecture deals with both the tangible and the intangible. The elective attempted to unpack certain concepts of space through experience, to identify these perceptions and translate them in to experiential narratives. The study enquired into some vital questions - What is it that moves us
with regard to certain spaces? What is the intangible in architecture and what is quality in architecture?
The student group visited Kanheri Caves to experience and understand these factors. Their analysis was expressed through group discussions, writing and drawings.
Conducted by Asso Prof Probuddha Mukhopadhyay
Documentary filmmakers strive to capture the real in their works – a convention used by both fiction and non-fiction films to engage audiences into the
issue in question. This elective was an introductory course meant to learn about everyday practices and stories from the act of capturing them. Students explored the medium of filmmaking using it to observe and analyse.
Conducted by Prof Meera Malegaonkar and Prof Zainul Biviji
The elective dealt with place-making as a multi-faceted tool to the planning, design and management of public spaces. It looked at how place-making capitalised on a local community's assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating public spaces that improve urban vitality and promote people's health, happiness, and well-being. It looked at the idea of government led, or community driven grassroots tactical urbanism, such as extending sidewalks with chalk, paint, and planters, or open streets events to infuse life into a space. The group studied and
analysed a promenade in Bandra to understand the urban experience at a pedestrian scale.
Conducted by Prof Minaz Ansari and Asst Prof Uzma Khan
This elective dealt with cultural mapping of selected precincts of old Bandra. It focused on the understanding of the evolution of historical layers and significance of cultural nodes, architectural styles, temporality of activities, signs and symbols, art and artefacts in defining the morphology of the region. The study involved documenting its distinct parameters comprising of the tangible and intangible features in order to establish a dialogue to identify its unique characteristics through these anchors rooted here from the past few centuries.
The findings were expressed through analysis of activity mapping, condition mapping and heritage asset mapping.
Conducted by Asst Prof Daksh Jain and Asst Prof Hanisha Chothani
Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) has multiple facets and verticals, which includes gastronomy as an important medium to create a symbiotic relationship between the city, its inhabitants, climate, topography and socio-cultural practices. Food forms the basic unit of sustenance. It defines our way of living, forms a sub-culture within the city and its people. This elective aimed to map the city through its rich cuisine and gastronomical habits and to document various communities and their food that forms a major cultural stock in the city.
The study also helped the students understand how architecture responds to the idea of gastronomy, community and its institutions. Students mapped various precincts in the city. Their findings around food and communites were compiled in the form of zines.
Conducted by Asso Prof Stuti Borwanker and Asso Prof Sailee Gosavi
The elective involved the mapping and documentation of the green spaces in the Kalina University grounds. The students used different tools and methods for mapping of the areas and proposed appropriate green interventions within
the space in order to enhance their quality. The findings and design proposal were presented in the form of drawings.
Conducted by Asso Prof Shabbir Shakir and Asst Prof Reeza Shaikh
The goal of the elective was to make students understand Project Management as a tool to complete a project within the established goals of time, budget, and quality. This elective enabled students to have a clear understanding of the stages and activities in project execution, draw upon the academic knowledge gained to achieve
efficiency in actual practice and to approach industry with enthusiasm, motivation, and a strong sense of confidence.
In conclusion, one can say that the electives had a deep impact both on the students and the energy of the campus. The college was transformed into an exhibition space where the process and outcome of the elective week were displayed in the studios and as well as common exhibition spaces. It gave an opportunity for vertical collaboration amongst students, focused on field work and intense enquiry into the designated topics.
Uwais Khan Alumni, batch of 2017
Uwais Khan, student of Rizvi College of Architecture won the Top 20 Special Mention prize in an international level competition for Design Dissertation projects hosted by Mango Architecture, a platform to promote, recognize, and give a global platform to showcase the talents of architects, and the design community. The awards were judged from over 400 registrations from around the globe.
rchitecture won ernational level ects hosted by mote, e the talents of he awards were om around the
In his dissertation titled The (In)visibles, Uwais dealt with the issues around homelessness. With the rapid on-going expansion of urban growth in our cities, the most basic form of amenity - shelter has been unwillingly compromised. Over the years, along with the development moving forward, it has led to the rise of formations of large scattered informal settlements, with improper to no facilities and many being forced to become homeless without a choice.
Uwais dealt with he on-gocities, the most come development f formations of h to no ome homeless
This project aimed to determine a holistic humane approach to develop solutions to approach the needs of the homeless with the inclusion of the factors of social, emotional, psychological needs while considering their identity, respect and social inclusion. The design program includes a health care center, community kitchen, library and night classrooms. Additionally, the project focuses on attaining sustainability along with aiding the marginalized community by fulfilling the factors of social, economic and environment sustainability with use of recycled waste as a building material and by creating engagement of people with the homeless through social spaces. Uwais completed this Design Dissertation under the guidance of Prof Minaz Ansari.
THE OUTDOOR SPACE CAN BE UTILIZED FOR DISTRIBUTING FOOD TO THE HOMELESS AND ALSO PROVIDES THEM A PROVISION TO SIT AND EAT.
In November 2023 the students from Semester IV, Rizvi College of Architecture visited Pallahali, a vibrant village on the outskirts of Mysore, in Srirangapatna Taluka of Mandya District. The students were accompanied by faculty - Asst Prof Sneha Udadar, Asst Prof Hanisha Chothani and Asst Prof Jigar Patel. This visit was part of the Semester IV Architectural Design Studio.
As a part of this visit, students studied the settlement and documented its house forms and other aspects of this historical village located in the proximity of the Kaveri River. They understood these houses not merely as shelters but as multifunctional spaces that seamlessly integrate with the rhythms of rural life and provide sanctuaries for family gatherings, workshops for traditional crafts, and storerooms for harvested crops.
The objective of this trip was to familiarize students with vernacular architecture and culture around such house forms. The students were divided into groups and each group was provided a cluster in the village to study and document.
The group spent close to a week measuring, drawing, sketching, interacting with people and
Rizvi College Of Architecture
learning about their everyday routines as well as the customs and traditions followed, their livelihoods and coexistence with livestock. During this time they experienced the festivities of Tulsi Vivah, a festival that marks the symbolic marriage between the holy tulsi plant and Lord Shyam.
The documentation highlighted the diverse and intricate detailing of the house forms within the village, each uniquely shaped by the interplay of climatic conditions, socio-cultural dynamics, and agricultural practices. The study revealed that these houses serve as tangible expressions of the community's deep connection to their environment, embodying centuries of adaptation and innovation.
The final two days were spent exploring Mysore and witnessing the beauty of its architecture through the lens of the magnificent Mysore Palace, Brindavan Gardens, Nandi Hills, Chamundi Hills and the neo-gothic architecture of St Philomena’s Cathedral.
Back in Mumbai, the studio embarks on an exhibition and publication project based on this study and documentation. The study will finally culminate into a design proposal.
The Solar Decathlon India (SDI) is a national-level contest that tests the teams' ability to plan and construct environmentally friendly, energy-efficient homes that are fueled by renewable energy sources. In the construction sector, multi-family housing projects using net-zero energy are relatively unexplored. Even more so is the absence of a net-zero energy and water design. Since the need for cooling and energy will see multifold rise in future, innovation in energy conscious design has become imperative.
A group of students from M.H. Saboo Siddik College of Engineering and Rizvi College of Architecture formed a multidisciplinary group from the professions of architecture, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering to work together as Team Al-Ma'arij. Our Students Manu Mohnish and Sariya Khan represented the college. They designed a G+22 multi-family net-zero energy building in Sector-25, Taloja Phase-II, Navi Mumbai with project partner- Developer Anas Dokadia. The building was designed to adhere to net zero energy and water norms. Faculty advisors advised the team, and industry partners provided assistance.
The challenges associated with producing on-site renewable energy were dealt with utmost importance while adding to the livability and value proposition in the growing sector of housing. Building from paper plane ideas into volumetric, quantifiable energy based design models, the design aimed at reducing the embodied carbon, to which residential buildings contribute substantially.
The team was awarded the runner-up position in the Multi-Family Housing Division for its practical response to a very constrained site of area 3200 sqm and for the design of an efficient passive cooling system. The jury was headed by Nilesh Sonawane (Business Development Leader, Owens Cooling), Aarti Nain (Advisor, Urban Cooling and Heat Management, UN Environment Programme), Karl Wadia (Senior Associate Architect, Hafeez Contractor).
Manu Mohnish Alumni, batch of 2017
Sariya Khan Final Year, B.Arch
For the students it was an enriching experience to work with allied engineering consultants and industry partner-essential India GreenEdge Analytics Pvt. Limited. The competition sought to engage the team with the fundamental concepts related to designing net-zero multi-family housing, the second largest electricity-consuming sector in India.
SUITABLE ORIENTATION FOR THE BUILT MASS TO REDUCE LIGHT PENETRATION FOR GROUND VEGETATION DURING SUM MER SOLSTICE AND THE EQUINOXES. CROSS VENTILATION THROUGH THE FLOOR LOBBY.
ARCHFEST the annual students festival commemorating the Foundation Day of the institute was held at RCA from the 24th to 26th August 2023. A vibrant tapestry woven around the theme of 'Qaafila,' the festival focused on unity, diversity, and exchange of ideas.
Qaafila, meaning ‘Caravan‘ in Arabic represents the tedious journey of individuals coming together to embark on a collective adventure of discovery, transformation and growth. This journey is not only restricted to the material realm but also traverses through one’s own spiritual needs.
As Rizvi College of Architecture completed 31 years in this ongoing journey of exploration of architecture, the theme looked back at the warm and inclusive qaafila that was built along the way. A week before the fest, our campus was transformed from a purely academic milieu into a bustling hub of activity, aligning every corner with the essence of our theme Qaafila.
Simrat Dhindsa
S.Y. B.Arch
The event kicked off with alumni of Rizvi College of Architecture, Ar Natasha and Ar Parzan Daruwala inaugurating the fest. They shared the journey of their practice Studio 6158 starting from humble beginnings, highlighting the importance of relationships and their love for travel, design and life, and left the audience spellbound. The atmosphere was electric as the cosplay theme dominated the air with students and faculty dressed as their favorite iconic characters from popular movies. Further in the day, sports events like football and cricket matches among classes added a competitive edge among faculty and students alike.
The second day focused on the theme of vibrant traditions, and featured seminars by three inspiring guests. Photographer and advertising professional MS Gopal shed light on some unique glimpses of Mumbai through his talk 'City with a Million Eyes'. Akanksha Gupta, a documentary filmmaker, talked about ‘Finding your Voice’ through diverse storytelling methods. Filmmaker and photographer Abeer Khan’s talk ‘Notes from my Attic - Camera, Chai aur Cinema’ showcased her films and the thought processes that brought them to light.
Day three had a retro vibes and started off by welcoming Dr. Binti Singh, Dean of Research at KRVIA who presented her talk ‘Urban Development in India - Challenges and Opportunities’. Dr Singh also launched a book titled ‘Culture, Spaces and People: Urban Dynamics in Contemporary India’ authored by Ar. Daksh Jain, Assistant Professor at Rizvi College of Architecture and published by Routledge Publishing.
The festival included workshops on allied art and craft forms, dance and fitness. Activities such as outdoor sketching and heritage walks gave students an opportunity to step out of the campus and explore the city through a new lens. Students participated with great enthusiasm and spirit.
The day concluded with a cultural evening and an entertaining prom night fostering elegance and camaraderie, marking the end of the grand fest.
EXPLORING BANDRA THROUGH URBAN SKETCHING
The post-graduate students of Rizvi College of Architecture extended its field of study by delving into architectural conservation of historical buildings. Under the guidance of practising architects they undertook a project in fort conservation in the pristine valleys of Himachal Pradesh. This project was managed in collaboration with the Directorate of Language, Art, and Culture of Himachal Pradesh under the guidance of Ar. Swapnil Bhole and Neha Raje. The documentation contributed tremendously to the conservation process for the fort.
Gondhla is a small village in Lahul and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh. It is located 13 km towards East from District headquarters Keylong - 182 km from the state capital Shimla and 56 km from Manali and 16 km from Sissu and 38 km from Jispa. The area of Gondhla village is 8,65,600 sqm.
The Gondhla Fort, situated in the picturesque Gondhla village, stands as a testament to the region’s rich heritage. The fort is believed to have been built more than 300 years ago by Raja Man Singh of Kullu. It was constructed as a seven-story house, serving both as a residence and a stronghold of power.
The fort displays the Kath-Kuni style of architecture, which in turn has certain unique features, Kath refers to wood, while Kuni denotes corners. This architectural style is prevalent in the western Himalayas and combines stone and wooden elements in construction.
In Kath-Kuni buildings, there are no diagonal or perpendicular members. This absence contributes to the structure’s resilience against eathquakes. The interlocking wooden sleepers create a sturdy framework. Logs of wood are integrated into each wall, alongside the stone components.
Despite its neglected and ramshackle state, the fort houses a treasure trove of artefacts. Our team found old weapons, statues, traditional, costumes, furniture.The fifth storey holds a personal prayer chamber where the Thakur would listen to public matters. From this vantage point, judgments were passed down to the community below.
The documentation of this heritage monument threw light on the unique heritage of India and the consistent conservation efforts that are underway to preserve it.
A Diploma in Architecture is a specialized educational program designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of architectural principles, architectural theories, design concepts, technical skills, and construction methods.The course spans across three years and is divided into six semesters, covering a range of topics related to architecture. The approval from the Council of Architecture and affiliation with the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education ensures that the diploma meets industry standards and qualifies graduates for professional practice in architecture.
A diploma in architecture provides an early entry into architecture for students after completing their 10th standard. Compared to a five years bachelor's degree the diploma spans three years and helps students enter the workforce sooner
than dose a B.Arch . The diploma curriculum typically emphasizes hands-on learning and practical skills development. This aspect is beneficial for students who prefer a more applied approach to learning and want to acquire specific technical skills related to architecture. It allows them to practice architecture in a various capacity, work under the licensed/registered architects and contribute to various aspects of architectural projects. For students who wish to continue their education, a diploma can serve as a stepping-stone toward pursuing a bachelor's degree in architecture or related fields.
Rizvi College of architecture, a Muslim minority institution, plays a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusivity in educational field. By reserving 51% of seats for Muslim minority candidates, it demonstrates its commitment to providing opportunities for underrepresented communities within the educational system.
At the same time the institutes strives to create an inclusive environment where students from diverse backgrounds can learn, collaborate, and thrive. This inclusivity is not limited to religious diversity but extends to students of all backgrounds, fostering a culture of respect, acceptance, and mutual understanding.
The college conducts sessions on how to apply for various scholarships and helps them access financial aid opportunities that can support their education thus contributing to making education more accessible and affordable to all.
The institute is committed to providing quality education in the field of architecture. Its affiliation with the Council of Architecture and Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education ensure that the curriculum meets industry standards.
Our efforts go beyond the classroom, as it actively engages with the community to promote educational awareness, hands-on learning and practical skill development. This community-centric approach not only benefits students but also contributes to the overall development and progress of the society.
Source: Design Dissertation by Amita Saroya, RCA
Source: Design Dissertation by Amita Saroya, RCA
This publication is a copyright of Rizvi College Of Architecture, Mumbai. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the prior permission of the publisher.
Rizvi Educational Complex, Off Carter Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050. Tel: 26044169 / Fax: 26050624
Scan here to read and share digital copy