Saint-Gobain Glass’s Transparence 2013, the annual design competition held for students of Architecture and Design, conducted its Grand Finale at Hyderabad on 29th January, 2014 during the annual 56th NASA  (National Association of Students of Architecture) 2014 convention.

Transparence, India’s largest competition for students of architecture and Interior design is a unique initiative by Saint-Gobain Glass to integrate the student community, architects and the industry. The event is supported by Ms. Gita Balakrishnan run ‘Ethos’. The competition originally being held for Indian students since 2005 was made open for the SAARC nations to participate since 2013.

Held at the NASA Convention 2014, and judged by an eminent jury comprising Ar. Ranjit Sabikhi from Ranjit Sabikhi Architects, India, Ar. Shahab Ghani Khan from Pakistan and Ar. Mustapha Khalid Palash from Bangladesh the fiercely contested competition saw Academy of Architecture, Mumbai emerge as the undisputed winners and walk away with a cash prize of INR 75,000/- The National Runner  up 1, was from IIT-Kharagpur which bagged a cash prize of INR. 50,000/- and SPA Vijayawada stood third nationally with a cash award of INR 25000/- COMSATS university Islamabad won the rest of SAARC countries edition of Transparence.

Saint-Gobain also gave away scholarship worth INR 3,00,000 for students in the fields of architecture 3 students from across India received INR 100,000 each worth scholarships to pursue activities in the field of architecture ranging from projects on reusing urban waste to modular shelters for street children.

14 colleges took up the theme of Transparence 2013 as studio projects and were awarded books worth INR 30,000 per college as aid.

Transparence is Saint-Gobain India’s innovative initiative to bring together the emerging architectural student community, experienced and renowned architects as well as the expertise of the industry. Year after year, the event establishes a platform for the best talent in the  architectural student community  to demonstrate their prowess and passion for architecture. Since its inception in 2005, Transparence has grown in stature, and is close to achieving its vision of becoming the forum for a confluence of great architectural minds.

Today, Transparence is considered a movement in its own right, by students and the architectural fraternity as well.

This year, Transparence 2013 required the contestants to design an “Architecture College” that offers an alternative environment for studying and training to become an architect. Students were encouraged to design energy-efficient and environment-friendly Architecture College with integrated functionalities and structures that do not compromise on modern educational environment.

Regional rounds for submissions from colleges in India were conducted in the four cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai in November 2013 and  2 colleges from each region in India were selected from over 1200 registrations and over 260 submissions to compete for the GRAND FINALE. Apart from selecting the finalists, the regional level awards includes ‘JURY citation award, special recognition award and best studio project award at the regional level. Eminent architects were present as Jury members at the regional level.

After the grueling regional rounds, the teams that made it to the final from India were:

 

East

·         IIT Kharagpur

·         IIT Kharagpur

North

·         Chandigarh College of Architecture

·         NIT Hamirpur

South

·         SPA Vijayawada

·         SPA Vijayawada

West

·         Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda

·         Academy of Architecture Mumbai

The frenzy that comes with every edition of Transparence is to be seen to be believed and this year’s edition too, lived up to it. The enthusiastic excitement of more than 2000 students from 120 colleges egged the finalists on, as the event reached a crescendo.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. R Subramanian, Managing Director, Saint-Gobain Glass India ltd said “Transparence is Saint-Gobain’s innovative response to the changing times – the use of glass as a sustainable material for design is testimony to this. Transparence has always aimed to inspire and motivate the student community to showcase their talent and Transparence 2013 this year, has been a resounding success.

He added that this year Transparence travelled across Indian borders and was open to the SAARC countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Srilanka. We are happy to take this spirit which has ignited the passion of the Indian students of architecture to the students of other countries as well.

He also mentioned that “It is great to witness the budding young architects and designers coming out with fresh and innovative ideas for the industry. This is a big opportunity for students to develop their skills. The overwhelming response from India and the SAARC countries  has reinforced our belief that creative young minds need a platform like Transparence to showcase their talent and we will continue to provide this kind of encouragement to the student community.”