21 students along with two faculty member Ar. Ravi Mahajan and Ar. Bhawna Madan participated in 15 days workshop on Usage of Steel in Mega Structures by Smart Habitat Foundation organised by Prof Charanjit Shah in collaboration with MMSOA, MM University, Sadopur. The workshop was inaugurated by COA Vice-president Ar Vijay Garg and attended by Prof. Aradhana Jindal, Ar Sashi Sehgal, Prof Manmohan Khanna, Prof. Debashish Sanyal, Ar Ashish Gupta, Ar Vinit Khanna, Prof S.M Akhtar, Prof Vivek Sabherwal, Prof Deval Rajwanshi, Prof. Sohan Gupta, Prof Rashmi Tandon, Prof S.M Mehta, Sudhir Sarup, and others at Creative Group office, New Delhi.

The 15 days workshop on Usage of Steel in Mega Structures from 26th December 2017 to 10th January 2018 was followed by technical presentations and brainstorming sessions between the students and the eminent Guests of Honour. The Main aim of the workshop was to teach the students details related to steel structures.

Prof. Charanjit Shah and Prof. Vivek Sabherwal (Director, School of Architecture and Planning, Apeejay Institute of Technology, Noida) talked to the students about the joinery details and interface between various materials in a project and also about the Structural Basics – different types of soil, soil tests, different types of foundations – raft, pile, etc. Prof. Shah spoke about architectural, structural and service dimension and interacted with students encouraging them to think outside the box and bring design innovation into architecture.

Ar. Priyanka Kochhar from GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc.) talked to the students about Sustainability in Design and Construction. Prof. (Ar.) Deval Rajwanshi (Director, SOA, Accurate Institute of Technology, Greater Noida) taught students about Design in Context and encouraged them to think outside the box with respect the site and its surroundings. Dr. S. M. Akhtar, (Dean Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, Jamia Milia Islamia) shed light onto various fields and scope of art and architecture. Ar. Nikhil Chandra from Design Plus talked about sensitizing oneself towards architecture, and taking a moment to observe our surroundings and learn from it.

Ar. Sheilly Shrivastava from Studio Vastuti, Delhi talked with students about “Energy – Paradigms and Solutions” highlighting energy facts requirements and safeguarding earth system – in both Indian and World scenario. Jona Rai, (Marketing Analyst and Business Development Executive from MGI Group) taught students about Light Frame Steel Framing technology, their applications in green field projects, building extensions, pre-designed homes, roofing solutions, etc. In a discussion ranging from Energy savings enhanced thermal efficiency to seismic performance levels, the students learned about cold formed steel framed buildings. Prof. (Ar.) Anurag Roy, (Principal Gateway College of Architecture, Sonepat) shared with the students, his experiences of the profession and infused enthusiasm and confidence in the students of the workshop encouraging them to challenge, question and act upon norms and age old paradigms.

Ar. Vikas Jain from Ikon Guilds Consultants and TCE, Noida interacted with the students about the very basics of construction. He urged the students to think outside the box and question everything they learn, not just accept it for the sake of accepting. Mr. Purushothama Reddy and Mr. Parmvir Singh from Outokumpu taught students about Stainless Steel the wonderfully versatile material!

On 10th January, 2018, the 15 day intensive and interactive workshop on EVOLUTION AND USAGE OF STEEL spearheaded by Prof. (Ar.) Charanjit Shah culminated with the formation of a book by the students of MM School of Architecture. In a glittering Closing Ceremony with Chief Guest Ar. Abhijeet Ray, presided over by Ar. Rajat Ray, Ar. Ashish Gupta, Ar. Kapil Mehta, Prof. Vivek Sabherwal, Ar. Aninda Bagchi, Mr. Gurjeet Singh, Mr. K. D. Singh, Ar. Rashmi Ashtt, Mr. Yatinder Suri, Mr. Sudhir Sarup, Mr. Varun Sagar, Ar. Nikhil Mohan and Mr. V. Kukreja, this book and hardwork of the students in the last 15 days was unveiled. Awards were given out to the groups who presented exceptional and keen understanding and knowledge of various details.