Architect's Corner!

Every quarter, iCMG consultants travel across 12-13 countries, which provides them opportunities to interact and learn from what's happening in the chaotic world of systems and enterprises. Sometimes you get to hear and see things which you would love to share with others as it forms a basis for good learning experience. In this process, we also realize that there several interesting and remarkable works being done across the world without being brought to notice of to the global audience. Though we have been thinking about this for over five years, maybe the time has come now. At iCMG, we are working towards setting up global architecture excellence awards. This award is to foster and support initiatives, which will help in shaping up the growth and acceptance of architecture discipline.

The idea is to honor architects & enterprises whose work demonstrates a combination of talent, vision & workmanship, which are creating successful and enduring systems & enterprises. The international award, which will be awarded each year to architects and organization for significant achievements, conferred during “iCMG Architecture World� conference.

As we embark on the journey of setting such an ambitious task. There are several challenges which starts to pop up, possibly delaying the efforts. Sometime these challenges also provide us an opportunity to think and be creative, and identify alternates.

The deliberation are still on wrt to number of prizes and awards which needs to be given. One of the challenge is what should be the composition of the awards? Hopefully, we should be able to resolve it soon. The idea is to have awards in broadly two categories.
1. Architecture work resulting in "technical excellence" and
2. Architecture work resulting in "business excellence".

I know this is a difficult bit, as it needs to cover a diversity of activities including research, production and creativity - all associated with the architecture work. Another major challenge is to have an international jury which covers the span of geography including Asia, Europe, US [North America], Australia. In addition, each of the chief jury members should have demonstrated good balance between vision & practice in their workspace. You will agree that this is the most important part of setting up the award. As the jury members will be asked to make final decisions on the architects, systems & enterprises, which should be awarded prizes in different categories. The decisions of the Jury members have tremendous influence on the futures and careers of many of the architects. Currently, we are working on finalizing a list of members, which should represent a balanced team across industries, independent consultants, and thought leaders across the globe.

The nominations & selection process is being debated. Our team is also looking at how some of the current award nomination process and the structure, which are being followed. Currently, we are thinking of a multilevel selection process, which would ensure transparency and attention to the various nominations. Discussions are on for setting up technical evaluation committees, which in turn could also help the jury members for open debates and move forward to final stage of short listing.

What are the criteria that jury will use for evaluation of the awards? I know, we'll have to leave this to jury members to suggest them to arrive at something, which will be transparent and foolproof. IMHO, we should consider the earliest surviving written work on the subject of civil architecture by the Roman architect Vitruvius in the early 1st century. According to Vitruvius, a good building should satisfy the three principles -
1. Durability - it should stand up robustly and remain in good condition.
2. Utility - it should be useful and function well for the people using it.
3. Beauty - it should delight people and raise their spirits.
Let's wait for the suggestions from the jury and see what they suggest.

By the way, do you think nominees who don't win are considered for an award the following year?
Take the poll : : http://bit.ly/9MW9k6

The great 19th century architect of skyscrapers, Louis Sullivan, promoted an overriding precept to architectural design: "Form follows function". Next week, our India team is preparing to host the legendary John Zachman in four cities. Hopefully, enterprises in India (one of the world's most promising economy) will start to realize its utility in solving the complex problems of today and tomorrow.

At the heart of the Architecture World conference in July 2010 - Bangalore, will be the architecture awards program. Just like everything good, this too is a long and arduous journey. Keep in touch. Don't forget to see a sunrise.