SURFACES REPORTER (SR) in association with School of Architecture, Noida International University is organising an e-talk with Hafeez Contractor, Padma Bhushan Awardee, Architect, Mumbai and Martha Thorne, Executive Director of the Pritzker Architecture Prize and Dean, IE School of Architecture & Design, Madrid, Spain. curated by Ar. Rajendra Kumar, Director, School of Architecture, NIU and Moderated by Vertica Dvivedi, Editor-in-Chief, SURFACES REPORTER. There will be an exclusive conversation on the Role Of Architects, Education, Pritzker Prize and more. So, don’t miss out and register now to enjoy the valuable session.
30th NOV| MON | 6 PM (IST) |1:30 PM (CET) Youtube | FB LIVE | SURFACES REPORTER
Hafeez Contractor (Keynote Speaker)
Architect Hafeez Contractor is one of the most significant names in the realm of Indian Architecture today, practicing since 1982. Today, Hafeez Contractor heads the largest architectural firm in India, with over 550 team members with over 2500 clients and 7.2 billion square foot of ongoing projects in 100 cities and 5 countries.
A Padma Bhushan Awaredee, one of the highest Civilian Awards in India, he studied at Academy of Architecture in Mumbai and graduated from Columbia University, New York, He is alsp the winner of over 75 National and International Awards for excellence in contributions to architecture He has twice has been included in India Today’s Most Powerful Indians List in last decade and has won innumerable awards for best residential, commercial, educational and hospitality projects across India.
The impressive chart of work that Ar Contractor catalogs, includes some of the tallest structures on the subcontinent, The Imperial Towers, Mumbai; one of the tallest residential buildings in the world, 23 Marina, Dubai; has moderenized the two busiest airports of the country, Mumbai and New Delhi; and one of the best cricket stadiums of the world, DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai. Apart from commercial construction projects, he has invested in researching and conceptualizing ways in which to positively impact the urban environment with proposals for public spaces and slum redevelopment. These include ‘The Western Waterfront Development,’ a scheme that attempts to rejuvenate the urban environment by creating large, open, green spaces in Mumbai and streamlining the city’s transport needs, and is finally being realized as West Line Freeway Project.
He is currently empanelled and working with the housing boards of several Indian states. Hafeez Contractor was a member of the Bombay Heritage Committee and the New Delhi Lutyens Bungalow Zone Review Committee. He is also passionate about social housing and his dream is to provide a house for every Indian.
*(Hafeez’s Bio has been taken from https://www.hafeezcontractor.com)
Martha Thorne (Keynote Speaker)
Martha Thorne is Dean of IE School of Architecture and Design. Since 2005, she has served as the Executive Director of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, popularly known as the “Nobel Prize for Architecture”. Prior to joining IE University she was Associate Curator of the Department of Architecture at The Art Institute of Chicago. She is the co-author of the books Masterpieces of Chicago Architecture and Skyscrapers: The New Millennium, editor and author for The Pritzker Architecture Prize: The First Twenty Years, and author of numerous articles for architectural journals and encyclopedias.
Martha Thorne received a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Affairs from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She undertook additional studies at the London School of Economics. She currently serves on an international jury for the award, ArcVision: Women and Architecture, a prize honouring outstanding women architects. She also lectures and assists with international architectural competitions.
Vertica Dvivedi (Moderator) 
Vertica Dvivedi is the Editor-in-Chief of Surfaces Reporter Magazine and the founder of Asia’s largest platform for Women in Design called WADE ASIA. She is an award-winning Entrepreneur, Speaker, and ASIA BOOK OF RECORD holder, passionate about Water-awareness and helping startups & female-owned businesses to rise.
Ms Vertica is also known for her speaking & moderation abilities. She has met and had sessions with some of the best architects, designers, artists of the world, and India. Further, she is the Co-Chairperson of Women Entrepreneurs Committee at the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI).
Rajendra Kumar (Curator)
Ar. Rajendra Kumar is the Director of School of Architecture, Noida International University (SoA, NIU). Architect Rajendra Kumar worked in Spain, Italy, China, UAE and has been a member of the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) in the USA. The architect has worked in various eco-sensitive architecture projects and also delivered lectures on many national and international forums on various issues related to cities, social reforms, energy, sustainable environment, etc.
Apart from this, he is proactively involved in academics and has also been a jury member of many competitions. His several works have also been displayed in many exhibitions and events in India and abroad. For his outstanding works, he received the country's one of the most coveted awards - the ‘Indian Young Achievers Award’.
SAVE THE DATE
Date: 30th NOV 2020 (MONDAY)
Time: 6 PM (IST) |1:30 PM (CET)
Where: SR Facebook and Youtube channel.
You can also send your questions to us at madhu@surfaces.in (Mention the speaker, your name, firm name, contact info)
More Details: WhatsApp : +91 9867333972
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