YAF created to address challenges faced by students and young professionals: Suvrat Khanna
Chandigarh: As part of the 12th INS & OUTS Expo organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), the Chamber hosted a special initiative for young architects to deliberate on the future challenges and opportunities in architecture. Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Suvrat Khanna, Co-Chair, Chandigarh Chapter, PHDCCI, said that the Young Architect Forum (YAF) has been created to provide young architects and students with a platform to discuss the challenges they face while entering and working in the profession and explore possible solutions. He said the forum aims to help young professionals interact with experienced architects, exchange ideas, understand evolving professional practices and explore new opportunities emerging from technology and changing societal needs. He emphasised that such platforms can help bridge the gap between young professionals and the experienced members of the architectural fraternity.
The Young Architect Forum (YAF) is being led by Ar. Sukumar Jairath, Convener, who is facilitating discussions and interactions aimed at addressing issues concerning the younger generation of architects. Speaking on the growing influence of artificial intelligence, Ar. Kanika Bansal, YAF, said that young architects need not be apprehensive about emerging technologies such as ChatGPT, Meta, Perplexity and Gemini. She said these technologies should instead be viewed as opportunities that can support creativity, research, productivity and professional practice.
A key session featured renowned architect Ar. Yatin Pandya, who spoke on “Designing for the Place, People and Planet.” He discussed the relationship between architecture, people and the environment and highlighted the importance of creating designs that respond to their social, cultural and ecological contexts. He also observed that the concept of a smart city should move beyond being merely a slogan and translate into meaningful, people-centric urban development.
The programme also featured a panel discussion on “Bridging Pedagogy and Practice,” moderated by Ar. Deepika Gandhi, with Ar. Priya Gupta, Ar. Jitesh Malik and Ar. Mohit Vij as panellists. The discussion focused on strengthening the connection between architectural education and professional practice. Another presentation by Ar. Kalapi Buch, titled “Rooted Futures: Reimagining Bharatiya in Contemporary Architecture,” explored the connection between Indian cultural roots and contemporary architectural expression. A second panel discussion, “Navigating the Realities of Architectural Practice,” was moderated by Ar. Harsimran and featured Ar. Varchasa, Ar. Nikhil Pratap Singh, Ar. Vikram Mallik and Ar. Savneet Kaur. The panel discussed practical aspects of the profession and the challenges faced by architects in the evolving professional environment. The INS & OUTS Expo also featured sessions by Dr. Ashok Gupta, Founder, Sakarni Home, and Magic of Mind under the theme “Har Sapna Hoga Sach.”
