G-SEN TROPHY 2015 -16

THE BACKDROP
With the current political climate fostering developmental growth, the declaration of
the SMART CITY was only expected. For the select few, the phrase SMART CITY has
conjured up a rush of wild imagination particularly, among the hungry (for power)
and thirsty (for liquid cash). At the bottom of the pyramid, (if ideas do percolate to
the base), there would be the eternal promise of employment and therefore the
hope of satisfying the hungry (for food) and the thirsty (forwater). Be that as it may,
no two words, in the recent past have generated as much scorn, applause, disgust,
appreciation, revulsion, hope, abhorrence, expectations, confusion, aspirations,
criticism, anticipation (emotional responses change depending on the typology of
the peoples).
The governmental machinery is whirring at break-neck speed to actualize the idea
and to materialize the dream.Arguably, the problem as always has been our lack of
vision in not recognizing contextual realities and thereby blindly embracing Western
models which have created climatically and socially unfavorable environments in
our current cities. These provisions aspirationally modeled on the lines of American
cities remain inequitably accessed and the idea of an inclusive city is far from being
realized. Policy makers keep undermining our own essentials ,which is at the root of
and is the primary reason, why glitzy images of shining new cities with glazed
multistory towers are being sold aggressively (besides of course the acquisition of
humungous amount of wealth for developers and other vested interests). The efforts
here are in trying to see if one could reinterpret the meaning of SMART and thereby
establish a wholly new paradigm.

How do we apply ourselves by critical thinking to our own existence through the
understanding of the evolutionary process?

Please refer to the link below, but see if you can read between the lines in the light
of the above perspective.
http://smartcities.gov.in/
http://smartcitieschallenge.in/
https://smartcity.win2biz.com/static/content/en/0/smartcity.html

National Association of Students of Architecture

G-SEN trophy 2015 - 16
(Re)evolution

G-SEN TROPHY 2015 -16

Please refer to the link below on YouTube to familiarize yourself with varying
perspectives on smart cities. Besides this, the contestants are encouraged to
conduct their own deeper research on the subject.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Debate+on+Smart+Cities

THE RESEARCH CHALLENGE- EVOLUTION(THE PAST)

For this competition you are asked to believe that every city, and particularly your
city, is a SMART CITY. The rationale behind this is that, had this not been the case,
why people would flock there in droves. People are smart and thats who make
cities. Based on this belief of positivity, the contestants are asked to state their case
for discovering and recognizing through clear evidence as to why their city is a
SMART CITY. De-codify the layers of EVOLUTION your city has gone through,
continuously presenting myriad challenges and always remaining the beacon of
opportunity for millions. Go ahead and list out the factors due to which your city
pulsates with that incredible energy.
One of the ways that defines the culture of people is the way they interact and
relate to other people. Go back to the roots of how people moved and created
systems of knowledge, created social systems, and find the native intelligence in
lifestyles. Study how people adapt to new environments and how behaviour
changes due to the ruptures in conditions. All these skirmishes with life leave a deep
impact on the architecture they create. Evaluate these very manifestations.
The Research and ANALYSIS needs to be presented in the form of a report of
maximum 5000 words in double spacing. Clear, succinct and economical
presentation of ideas will be appreciated. Besides this you need to produce
INNOVATIVE MAPS on A1 size sheets, (Minimum 5 numbers) which graphically
represent data in a visually understandable and aesthetically pleasing manner.
You can use the following link for referencing innovative maps:
http://www.citylab.com/tech/2013/12/most-innovative-maps-2013/7952/

THE DESIGN CHALLENGE - REVOLUTION. (THE FUTURE)

For this competition we ask you to design a SHELTER (a building, a built-form, an
environment) which proposes to be a Center for HUMAN INTERACTION. This center
will inform the citizens& visitors alike about the city. Can Revolution in its true
dimension be brought about by creating spatial harmonies? The Program can be
evolved by referencing the research documentation. The typology of the emergent

National Association of Students of Architecture

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G-SEN TROPHY 2015 -16

space is not defined & the contestants are free to choose functions of their choice
which define SMARTNESS. The typology infact can be a reflection of the various
layers of the city. The campus is intended to be an incubator of new systems of
social outreach defining out-of-the-box solutions.
Can Interaction and inclusive environments be created & enhanced by using
futuristic technologies ?These could be technologies of construction, management,
maintenance, and other relevant components. The design however will have to
focus on the organization system, buildability, economy, & intelligence of the
construction methodology. Great weightage will be given to this exploration and
contestants are encouraged to exhibit qualities of innovation in coming up with
solutions. Explicit architectural details are expected and will be evaluated
accordingly.
Possible Methodology - Bio-mimicry - Key concepts:
1. Nature hates waste
2. Adaptability
3. Restorative solutions
4. What is natures tool kit?
The Site- Smart selection will be expected
Land area allocation - Max Area. 3 Acres.
Total Builtup Area Max 10000 M2 .
To be built on 1 Acre & 2 acres for landscaping.
The goal of the competition brief is to invite an architectural-environmental
ensemble that responds to the unique context, respects HUMAN qualities, and
provides for a burgeoning future in a positive manner and with great empathy.
Submission Requirements:
1. Panel: One 8' x 4' panel will be provided.
2. Presentation: Maximum number of sheets not to exceed 20 A1 (841mm X
594mm) this can either be in single panel format or part panel format

Single panel
This mode of presentation requires the entire 8' x 4' panel to be covered which
would be considered equivalent to 6 A1 sheets. The remaining sheets may be

National Association of Students of Architecture

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G-SEN TROPHY 2015 -16

overlaid on the panel. The Shape and size of the overlays on the single panel shall
be left to the discretion of the participants subject to each A1 (or part of) being
counted as one overlay

Part Panel
This presentation is possible in two forms either covering 2/3rd of the panel or
1/3rd of the panel.
1. A 2/3rd panel would be considered equivalent to 4 A1 sheets, along
with which a maximum of 11 A1 sheets in a calendar and / or overlay format
is allowed.
2. A l/3 rd panel would be considered equivalent to 2 Al sheets, along with
which a maximum of 13 A1 sheets in a calendar and / or overlay format.
3. Each overlay (does not require a logo) would be considered as one Al
sheet irrespective of the size not exceeding Al. (The overlay must be cut from
an A1sheet).
4. No part of the presentation shall spill out the 8' x 4' panel.
5. All individual sheets and panels shall have NASA logo as per the NASA logo
guidelines.
6. Scale models are not allowed.
7. Two identical copies of a Report (hard bound) not exceeding 30 A4 pages
(both side prints are allowed but including cover page it should be 30 leaf)
that give an entire overview of the project should accompany the
submission. The report should feature the NASA logo appropriately on the
cover page and on each page of the report. Both copies should contain the
Institution code and name of the project on the cover. However, only one
copy should have the name of the Institution featured.
8. Jury members shall shortlist the Institutions for A.V. presentation. Time
given for the short listed entries shall not exceed 8 minutes. Any Institution shall
not reveal its identity in any manner either in sheets, reports or the
presentation.
9. 2 copies of the CD containing the soft copy (editable and non editable) of
the each deliverables as report, sheets and the A.V. Presentation must be

National Association of Students of Architecture

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G-SEN TROPHY 2015 -16

submitted. One of these is for the archives of Gateway College of
Architecture and Design and the other for the use of the participating
Institution in A.V.Presentation. Both CDs should contain the Institution code
and only one should mention the name of the Institution.
Any
queries
regarding
the
brief
are
to
be
sent
to
president.nasaindia@gmail.com and the reply to the query will be given
back within a week.

National Association of Students of Architecture

G-SEN trophy 2015 - 16
(Re)evolution