In keeping with the trend that is being followed for years now, students of the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (Cept) will organise the three-day architectural forum, Kurula Varkey Design Forum, on Friday at the institute's premises.

The forum will be participated by experts and students from across the country and even abroad and its focus this year will be primarily on discussing general issues about architecture.

Arjav Desai, academic secretary at Cept, said, "Participation by architecture schools and interaction with experts in the field will provide students with the opportunity to learn more about the various aspects of architecture. The event is also aimed at developing a better understanding of the prevailing trends in architecture tools, methods and similar aspects."

Apart from the institute faculties, the event will also witness the presence of eminent personalities like Mahendra Raj, architectural engineer of Tagore memorial hall, BV Doshi, nationally-renowned architect, foreign students and various internationally-acclaimed architects.

Referring to the changes made in the forum this year, Chirag Rangholia, a student of Cept, said, "Unlike the earlier forums that laid more emphasis on the juries, this year the focus has been shifted towards having an interactive session that allows actual discussions among participants. Only this can lead to a better understanding of the area."

The participants will also visit important architectural structures in the city including IIM-A, Gandhi Ashram, Usmanpura Mosque and Amdavadni Gufa. In order to ensure a more explicit understanding of the details of the forum, Cept students have also come up with a website and a blog this year wherein national and international students can submit their projects and apply for participation.

The Kurula Varkey Forum has been named after former director of school of architecture in Cept who initiated the event in 2001 and expired shortly thereafter.

Dayananda Meitei/DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication