23rd ARCASIA Forum Begins at Hotel Jaypee Palace; Over 600 Delegates from 24 Asian Countries Participate
Agra: The Taj City of Agra has become the centre of global architectural dialogue as the 23rd ARCASIA Forum, a five-day international event, began on Tuesday at Hotel Jaypee Palace on Fatehabad Road.
Organised under the aegis of The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), the forum is witnessing the participation of more than 600 delegates from 24 Asian countries, along with Indian architects, academicians, students and experts.
The central theme of the forum is “Bringing Back Vernacular Wisdom”, focusing on the relevance of traditional architectural knowledge, indigenous construction techniques and sustainable practices in contemporary architecture.
As part of the historic event being organised across the Golden Triangle of Agra, Jaipur and Delhi, ARCASIA Committee and Council meetings are being held in Agra. More than 2,500 architects from India and abroad are expected to participate in the Open Forum scheduled to be held in Jaipur on September 11 and 12.
‘India’s architectural wisdom can guide the modern world’
Architect Tushar Sogani of Jaipur, Convener of the five-day international event, said the forum provides a significant opportunity to showcase India’s rich architectural heritage to architects from across the world.
He said the world needs to recognise the strength of India’s Vernacular Wisdom, which reflects sustainability, climate responsiveness and innovative use of local materials.
“Today, there is a need to incorporate India’s archaeological wisdom, historical architectural heritage and unique architectural traditions into modern designs and building construction,” he said.
‘A golden opportunity to learn from India’s heritage’
ARCASIA President Boo Jiang of China said that science and technology have advanced rapidly and new technologies have transformed the construction sector. However, there remains a strong need to learn from traditional heritage.
He said heritage architecture offers valuable lessons that can help address contemporary challenges in building construction.
According to him, the forum is a golden opportunity for Asian architects to build technical and ideological partnerships while learning from India’s rich architectural heritage.
Foreign architects mesmerised by Taj Mahal
IIA National President Architect Vilas Vasant Avachat of Mumbai said architects from several countries visited the Taj Mahal on the opening day and were mesmerised by its architectural excellence.
He expressed confidence that the forum would provide the world with an opportunity to understand how India’s ancient architectural heritage can be adapted to contemporary requirements.
Avachat said the Indian Institute of Architects serves as a global platform for professional and educational collaboration and has around 35,000 architects associated with it as members.
‘We need to learn from 400-500-year-old heritage buildings’
IIA Agra Centre President Architect Samir Gupta Vibhav said Agra is perhaps the most appropriate venue for an intellectual exchange on the theme “Bringing Back Vernacular Wisdom”.
He pointed out that Agra is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites—the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri—whose architecture demonstrates remarkable strength and an understanding of climatic conditions.
“Many modern buildings start developing leakage and other problems within just two or three years, whereas our 400-500-year-old World Heritage buildings continue to stand strong without even a trace of dampness in many places,” he said.
He stressed the need to study these heritage structures and learn from their construction techniques, materials and climate-responsive designs.
Gupta expressed hope that the forum would enable thousands of architects from India and abroad to explore ways of incorporating India’s strong architectural traditions and heritage wisdom into contemporary architecture.
Deliberations continue across five halls
On the first day, online and offline meetings were held throughout the day in five different halls at Hotel Jaypee Palace.
ARCASIA Committee meetings focused on Young Architects, Sustainable Architecture, Architectural Education, Social Responsibility and Professional Practice.
IIA Uttar Pradesh Chapter Chairman Architect Sandeep Saraswat of Lucknow was also prominently present during the proceedings.
Dialogue between tradition and modernity
The forum will focus on a wide range of subjects, including climate-responsive design, natural building materials, traditional crafts and construction techniques, reinterpretation of traditional building forms, vernacular architecture, culture and place, identity in urban design and the future of design education.
The major objectives of ARCASIA include promoting sustainable architecture, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experience among Asian architects, encouraging innovative architectural techniques, strengthening international cooperation and preserving Asia’s diverse architectural traditions while adapting them to modern needs.
Pritzker Prize winner Riken Yamamoto among key speakers
One of the major attractions of the forum will be a keynote session by renowned Japanese architect and 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Riken Yamamoto.
His session will focus on the theme “Vernacular as a System, Not a Style.”
Architecture and design experts from India and several Asian countries will also participate in various technical and master sessions during the forum.
Key themes of the Open Forum
- Mud, Stone, Bamboo, Lime: The New Material Intelligence
- Hands That Build: Craft as Structure, Detail, and Identity
- Courtyard to Community: Old Typologies for New Life
- Heat, Wind, Shade: Designing Buildings That Breathe
- Teaching the Ground: Making Design Education More Real
- Streets with Soul: Urban Identity Beyond Facades
The five-day international forum is expected to create a significant platform for dialogue between India’s architectural heritage and contemporary global design practices, bringing together architects and experts from across Asia in the historic city of Agra.