Speakers

Haig Beck and Jackie Cooper collaborate as editors, critics, writers and publishers, raising awareness of architecture internationally. Haig edited Architectural Design (1976-79). In 1979 he and Jackie launched International Architect; in 1996 they launched UME, promoting discourse on regionalism, national identity and cultural continuity in architecture. They are authors of critical/interpretive monographs, including on Glenn Murcutt. Haig was professor and head of school at the University of Melbourne, 1993-96.

They see architectural publications as a crucial intermediary step in the progression of ideas from hypotheses to theories to built demonstrations. They foster and direct architectural research through the act of editing and publishing, selecting architectural works and texts, writing critiques and promoting theoretical propositions and practical outcomes.

Ar. James Law is the young founder of James Law Cybertecture International Company, a leading design firm focused on new age architecture, fusing technology and art to design the iconic buildings of tomorrow. James Law Cybertecture provides leading edge architecture design, interior design, planning consultancy services, research, design & build and product design services for clients and projects of wide range of types and complexity in Hong Kong, China and internationally. The AlPod Mobile Pod house designed by James Law Cybertecture Architects won a 2016 Global Design Award organised by the Hong Kong Designers Association.

Vishu Bhooshan, currently works as a Senior Designer at Zaha Hadid Architects as part of the Computation and Design ( to I de) group at London . He completed his bachelor degree from Pune, India (2010) and pursued his masters at the Architectural Association, Design Research Lab( 2013). He along with his team mates, have presented their masters thesis, AEROSat various schools including at the AA Visiting school at turkey (2013) as well as at Madrid (2013). It has also been published in online magazines.

Sebastiano Brandolini runs an architectural studio in Milan and teaches landscape architecture at ETH Zurich. He was editor of the Italian architectural magazine Casabella from 1984 to 1995 and regularly publishes books and articles. He is presently working on a book on urban walking in the Milan metropolis. His interests span from alpine architecture to urban design, and from minimalism to the idea of contemporary landscape. His architectural practice - in partnership with Alba Gallizia - is based in Milan.

As founder of Warner Wong Design and WOW Architects, Chiu Man has presided over the evolution of WOW since it was established in the year 2000, building a network of multidisciplinary award winning practices with a significant body of work in the Asian region and beyond. His projects include Vivanta by Taj - Whitefield in Bangalore, Yalong Bay No. 5 Villas and Spa in Sanya, China, internationally renowned restaurants such as Rang Mahal and Vansh. Leveraging on 25 years of international industry experience, Chiu Man spearheads the business development and design direction of WOW.

Principal Designer and later Partner/Director for several years in her father's firm, Justin Samarasekera Associates, Nela de Zoysa formed her own firm, Nela de Zoysa Design Corporation, in 1993 to bring a fresh approach to Architecture at the turn of the 21st century. She has several awards to her credit, including the coveted ARCASIA Gold Medal in 2000, the South Asian Architect Commendation Award, the 'Woman of Achievement Award' for Architecture, the prestigious 'Commendation Award' for Excellence in Architecture and an Honorary.

Ryoichi Misawa is the Managing Director of Misawa Associates & M.A.I. Inc. He specialises in architectural design and landscape design for condominium projects. He is the recipient of several awards, the latest being Good Award Design 2017 for Proud City Asagaya and Good Design Award zoo9 for U DM Project.

Ben Nakamura is an Architect Sr Planner and Professor Emeritus at Monotsukuri Institute of Technologists. Former Professor of Kogakuiin University and former President of Tokyo Society of Architects Er Building Engineers (TSABE), he is currently the Chairman of Sustainable Architecture section,Japan Architects Association Federation."Great mindforthe global world andsteady steps in the local areas" is his fundamental attitude, and he works towards developingthe idea"to create self-sufficient environment in the small world". He has as many as 35 awards bestowed upon him till date.

Shubhra Raje is an architect and educator who is the founder-principal of shubhra raje built environments, an inter-disciplinary design and research practice based in Denver (USA) and Ahmedabad (India). She completed her undergraduate studies in Architecture at the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) in Ahmedabad (India), and earned a Masters in Architecture from the Cornell University (USA) with a double major in Architecture and Theory + Criticism.

Kulbhushan Jain is the former Coordinator, Doctoral Programs Office and was the Chairperson (Theory & Design), Faculty of Architecture, CEPT University. His educational background is M.Arch. from University of Pennsylvania in 1968 after securing PG Diploma in Town Planning, SPA in 1966. His first degree was B.Arch. from MS University of Baroda in 1965. He has 40 years of academic and professional experience.

Snehal Shah is an alumnus of CEPT University, Ahmedabad from where he completed his graduation in 1980. He undertook postgraduate studies at the Architectural Association Graduate School, London. Subsequently he completed his RIBA Part-3 and worked with the renowned architect Mario Botta for several years before returning to India in 1987 and setting up his practice in Ahmedabad. Ar. Shah has embarked upon an ambitious repertory of private and public buildings that testify to a unique cosmopolitan sensibility and refined aesthetic for the last over 20 years.

Sameep Padora & Associates is a Mumbai-based architecture studio led by founding principal Sameep Padora. The team has grown with work within the fields of architecture, interiors and urban planning and, their ‘Lattice House’ project was recognized in the wallpaper design awards for the best new private house. His firm’s projects have received numerous international awards including The Architectural Review's Emerging Architecture Award in London, the MARMOMACC International Award Architecture in Stone in Verona and the WAN 21 for 21 Award for 21 Emerging International practices for the 21st century earlier this year.

Narendra Dengle is a practising architect, educator and writer. His works, since1974 include rural and urban projects addressing contemporary cultural, environmental and aesthetic issues. He has taught at the SPA, New Delhi. He is a member of the Charles Correa Gold Medal Jury for the best student thesis (2005-2016). He has been a member of the Urban Heritage Committee for Pune and Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani Wai-Satara. His books include') haroka'(Marathi) 2007, 'The Discovery of Archtiecture: A contemporarytreatise on Ancient Val ues and Indegenious Reality' jointly authored with M N Ashish Ganju, 2013 and 'Dialogues with Indian Master Architects' 2015.

Ar. Shirish Beri's works, which strive to address his life values and concerns, have been bearing a distinct mark on modern Indian architecture since 1975. His works have been widely published and have won him a number of national - international awards and recognitions, including the highly covetedJ.K. Great Master's award and the A+D Hall offame award. He has been invited to chair and give talks, slide shows and conduct design workshops in various professional and educational institutions educational institutions here and abroad. His book (Spaces inspired by nature), exhibitions and a film (The unfolding white) on his work have been received very well everywhere.

Architect Habeeb Khan, graduated in architecture from VNIT (formerly VRCE) and went to the USA, where he completed his masters in architectural design in 1988 from University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. After his masters degree he worked in Philadelphia, coordinating major retail design projects for retail giants across the world.

Having got bored working in the typically monotonous format of retail world, he returned to India and established his practice in Nagpur. In the initial years his firm Smita & Habeeb Khan Architects worked on, like any new fledgling firm, interior design projects. He was awarded the JIIA best interior Design award by the Indian Institute of Architects in 1998 and IIA-KAFF young architects award in 2000. He was also awarded the Orange City Achievement award in 2009 and State level excellence in architecture and education award by the IIA Maharashtra Chapter in 2011.

Currently he is working on major institutional & hospitality projects and exclusive residential bungalows.