Transparence 09

To evolve as an architect just open up

Open up to green ideas

Transparence 09 – Designed to inspire

Saint-Gobain is back with the event most awaited by students of architecture. One platform
where all the students can showcase their talents and compete for the glory and recognition.
This is the 4th edition of Transparence brought to you by Saint-Gobain, the pioneers of glass
since 1665. More than just a competition it’s a vision that intends to change the future of
architecture and space design in India.

Ethos
Ethos has been partnering Saint-Gobain in taking Transparence to the students of
architecture and interior design across India. Ethos focuses on creating a platform or a forum
to spread awareness on relevant issues among budding architects, civil engineers and among
young professionals. Further details on Ethos could be accessed from www.ethosindia.in

Mentor – Transparence 2009

Mentor for this year’s edition is Ar.Vidur Bharadwaj. He is the Managing Partner at Design
and Development, an architectural firm that has pioneered Green building design in India. He
is also the Chairman of the Indian Green Building Council, New Delhi Chapter, and has made
significant contributions to the Green Movement in India.

The Theme - A Green Hotel (Ecotel)

The world of architecture is a rapidly evolving one. While new forms and functionalities have
evolved over the years, a pressing need of recent times is to Go Green! This edition of
Transparence requires you to build an out of the world Green Hotel, that not only conforms to
all the regulations laid down by the ECBC and National Safety Code, but also features all the
enjoyable experiences that a hotel has to offer. A perfect blend of creativity, functionality,
sustainability and of course, hospitality.

The creative use of glass is definitely one significant parameter while judging, but what’s more
important is to understand green potential of different types of glass and then use them aptly
with major emphasis on natural daylighting in the interiors.

***

Design Brief –
Location – Either a hill station and / or a waterfront

Facilities to be housed in the Ecotel

• 60 rooms and an additional 30 two-bedroom suites

• 1 large multi-purpose banquet hall
• Shopping arcade
• Recreation area
• Health Club with a spa
• Spiritual Rejuvenation Retreat
• Administrative area
• Business Centre
 • Coffee Shop
• Night Club
• 1 theme restaurant
• Services
• Landscape
• Parking – of crucial importance since the premises of the ecotel are to be
completely pedestrian. You may consider the use of energy-free methods of
transporting residents from one part of the complex to the other.
• Any other facility that you would like to add the property to enhance its value
keeping in mind the environment.

Specifications:

Location – Hill-side or waterfront (beach, lake etc.)

Site Area – 5-10 acres
Height – 20 m
FAR – 0.5 to 0.75
Ground Coverage – No restrictions
Built-up Area – To be arrived at based on the area programme developed by the
team
Setbacks – No restrictions

ECBC and National Safety Code to be adhered to with respect to the use of glass.

Requirements for Submission:

• Concept with a clear enunciation of assumptions.

• Area Programme
• Site Plan
• Zoning Plan
• Plans, Sections, Elevations, 3 D drawings and any other drawings to explain
your design
• Interiors Focus - Spa, Night club, Spiritual rejuvenation retreat and restaurant

A maximum of 10 sheets. All sheets to be in A3 size and to be accompanied by soft

copies. Please ensure that the presentation is in a power point format compatible
with MS Office 2003 with not more than 20 slides. Please write names and other
team details only on the rear side of the sheets and only on the first and last slide of
the ppt.

Criteria for Assessment:

• Concept and context - The extent to which the design proposed contributes
towards serving the purpose it is set out for – being a benchmark in green
design for the hospitality sector.

• Originality / Creativity - Originality would rank high since in today’s world

there seems to be hardly a discernible difference between taking inspiration
and creating clones.
 • Innovative and Functional Use of Glass - The appropriate use of glass and
the use of appropriate glass will be judged in the external surfaces of the built
up areas and in the interiors to be focussed on.

• Practicality

• Presentation

The Format:
• Transparence 09 open to undergraduate students of architecture and design
• Teams to comprise of a maximum of three members.
• A two-stage competition – Four Regional Juries – North, South, East and
West; The regional winners will be intimated on the spot at the regional juries
that are scheduled to take place in the month of October/November. The jury
comments and expectations for the next stage will be communicated to them
along with the final date of submission.
• All participants are invited to the regional juries where their travel expenses
will be reimbursed on the spot. There will be no presentations by the teams at
the regional juries but the teams will get an opportunity to hear the jury
comments and interact with them. The venue for the regional juries will be
communicated to all the participants.

Awards:
Regional Winners: Rs.18000/- per team, a certificate and an opportunity to win the
coveted National Trophy.
National Winner: Rs.75000/- per team, a trophy and a certificate.
National First Runner-up: Rs.50000/- per team, a trophy and a certificate.
National Second Runner-up: Rs.25000/- per team, a trophy and a certificate.
All participants with submissions that are found technically complete by the jury will
be awarded a certificate.

Checklist for Participants

• Form teams with a maximum of three members
• Register online at www.transparence.in
• For further details contact: Ms.Pooja - 9051642739; pooja@ethosindia.in;
Mr.John Thomas at 9845191442
• or Ar. Gita Balakrishnan – 9831175272; gita@ethosindia.in;
• Complete requirements for submission.
• Please ensure that your names and other details are written only at the rear
side of the sheets.

Important Dates
• Registrations: Open

• Last Date for Registrations : October 1st,2009

• Last Date for Submission of Entries: October 15th 2009

• Completed entries to reach the address mentioned below on or before
October 15th, 2009

Ms.Gita Balakrishnan
Ethos
C/o Festoon Media
AD 277, Sector 1
Salt Lake
Kolkata 700064
Ph: 9051642739