November 11–16
On November 12-15, the International Council convened in Mumbai to explore the city’s complexities and the ways that design could be applied in creatively tackling them. Clinging to the western edge of the subcontinent, Mumbai has been India’s cosmopolis and a mecca for migrants for centuries. With India’s integration into the global economy, the city’s density, diversity, congestion, and economic inequality have continued to intensify.
Today, Mumbai is one of the most populated cities in the world. This evolution has put enormous pressure on the building blocks of urban citizenship—public space, social connectivity, and transit infrastructure—issues that the Council sought to examine though three corresponding case studies. Over four days, they conducted intensive site visits, in-depth stakeholders interviews, and a design charrette in partnership with Mumbai’s new School of Environment and Architecture (SEA). The team translated their learning into a series of creative design propositions and presented them to a group of local practitioners.
Attendees
Daniel Elsea, Allies and Morrison (Council Co-Chair)
Alfredo Caraballo, Allies and Morrison (Council Co-Chair)
Monica von Schmalensee, White Arkitekter (Council Co-Chair)
Sasa Radulovic, 5468796 Architecture
Johanna Hurme, 5468796 Architecture
Denzil Gallagher, BuroHappold
Anindita Dasgupta, BuroHappold
Steen S. Trojaborg, DISSING + WEITLING
Razvan Ghilic-Micu, Hassell
Michael Sørensen, Henning Larsen
Armand Paardekooper, Mecanoo
Carmen Pereira, Mecanoo
Tom Kundig, Olson Kundig
Alan Maskin, Olson Kundig
Morten Schmidt, Schmidt/Hammer/Lassen
Mette Nygaard, Schmidt/Hammer/Lassen
Pat Arnett, Silman
Nancy Hudson, Silman
Jonas Edblad, Wingardhs
Niklas Carlen, Wingardhs
Jessica Healy, Van Alen Board of Directors
Douglas Healy
About the Council
The International Council is a platform for exchange among leading architects, designers, developers, and planners, representing practices across more than 26 cities and 15 countries. Members meet twice annually to identify and investigate issues facing cities around the world, and to guide the impact of the Institute’s public programming, research, and design competitions. Council members also convene with local policymakers, developers, researchers, and designers, identifying topics with the potential for deeper exploration with Van Alen’s international audience.
The Council is currently led by Co-Chairs Alfredo Carabello and Daniel Elsea of Allies and Morrison, and Carl Bäckstrand and Monica von Schmalensee of White Arkitekter. The next International Council meeting will be held May 15-17, 2019 in London.
For more information, please contact Stacey Anderson, Associate Director of Business Development and Special Initiatives at sanderson@vanalen.org, or 212-924-7000.
