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dialogues

Collaboration and consultation are key principles to the projects that the Foundation undertakes. To expand this idea to knowledge creation, the Foundation routinely invites articles, and conducts interviews with sector experts, and individuals who are invested in the various areas that LEAF is invested in.


A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns - Edition III - On Rewilding
Examining the idea of rewilding through very different lenses.

Our presenters for our last session - Ms. Catherine Wong of Salad Dressing (Singapore), and Mr. Vijay Dhasmana of The Rewilders (India) - through their presentations examined two completely varied ideas of rewilding, and at different scales. They then engaged in discussion with our discussants for the day - Dr. Anuj Jain, Mr. Riyaz Tayyibji, Prof. Snehal Nagarsheth, and Mr. Aniket Bhagwat.



A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns - Edition III - On Blue-green Infrastructure
Looking at the integration of Blue-Green Infrastructure in the Urban Context.

During our penultimate session of Edition Three of Saturday Sojourns, we talked about the integration of Blue-Green initiatives and infrastructure in design and integration of the Urban Fabric. We were joined by our presenters Mr. Anton Siura of Siura Studio (Indonesia), and Ms. Malvika Naik of M/s Prabhakar B. Bhagwat (India) - both of whom demonstrated these initiatives through the work that they have undertaken in their respective countries. For our discussion, we were joined by Ms. Nur Hepsanti Hasanah, Ms. Sandhya Rao, and Mr. Vinay Kushwah.



A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns - Edition III - On Environment & Community
Undertaking conversations on how the context provided by Environment & Community have the ability to influence design.

As part of our fifth session, we heard from Mr. Pedro Pedalino of the LJ-Group (Vietnam), and Ms. Kareena Kochery of the URBZ Collective (India). Both their presentations looked at the ability both Environment and Community have on the process of space-making. Ms. Kochery's work, in fact, is focused on Dharavi Koliwada. Post their presentations, they engaged in a discussion with Ms. Neha Sarwate, Dr. Vu Thi Hong Hanh, Mr. Steven Petit, Dr. Meghal Arya, and Prof. Neelkanth Chhaya.


A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns - Edition III - On Issue-focused Design Interventions
Understanding how design may be leveraged in addressing very specific social and community issues.

Mr. Daniel Gass of Ballistic Architecture Machine (China), and Mr. Rohan Chavan of RC Architects (India), through their work, demonstrate how they use design interventions specifically to address social and community level issues; in the case of Mr. Gass, the issue being Waste Management, and in the case of Mr. Chavan, it being restrooms for mobile communities. The discussion focused on the role that landscape designers are able to play, and define for themselves in situations such as these. For our discussion, we were joined by Mr. Jacob Walker, Ms. Seema Redkar, Mr. Vinay Kushwah, and Ms. Neha Sarwate.



A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns - Edition Iii - On Naturalistic Planting
Looking at not only the process of Naturalistic Planting, but also the processes for its maintenance.

The idea of Naturalistic Planting has expressed itself in various ways globally - and has also been referred to by different names. During our third session with Ms. Yuko Nagamura of TabbyCat Landscapes (Japan), and Ms. Deepthi Chandra B. of Dharitri (India) we held conversations on how their respective practices approach and implement the idea of Naturalistic Planting, and moreover, what is required to ensure the maintenance of such spaces once they are planned. Post their presentations, they were in discussion with Ms. Maroko Akaiwa, Mr. Vinay Kushwah, and Prof. Snehal Nagarsheth.


A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns - Edition III - On Ai & Technology
Conversations that examine the role that Artificial Intelligence plays in the process of making

There is no doubt that technology has become pervasive in everything that we do - small and big. The question then becomes - to what extent have we allowed it to become pervasive? Does it have the ability to take on tasks of imagination, creativity, and making? These were kinds of questions and ideas that were looked at during our second session of Saturday Sojourns with Mr. Vu Viet Anh of TA Landscape Architecture (Turkey), and Mr. Sriganesh Rajendran of Ficus (India). After their presentations, they engaged in dialogue with our discussants for the day - Mr. Sriram R., Mr. Riyaz Tayyibji, Dr. Meghal Arya, and Ms. Kunjan Garg.



A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns - Edition III - On Process
Undertaking conversations on the design process and on ideas of empathy.

As part of the first session with Ms. Başak Tas Özdemir of Spiga Landscape Design (Turkey), and Ms. Anjali Jain SharedGround (India), we examined not just the very process of design, but also the idea of empathy that must be reflected in every conversation that is undertaken during the course of space-making; whether that be empathy towards the space, the patron and the community, or indeed towards the profession itself. Post their presentations, our presenters were in conversation with Ms. Asli Aydogdu Unlu, Mr. Burak Karaca, Ms. Kunjan Garg, Dr. Meghal Arya, and Prof. Snehal Nagarsheth.

A Dialogue - Ahmedabad Gardens | Good News Gujarati
Mr. Bhagwat in conversation with DD News Gujarati on the rejuvenation of Parimal Garden.

Earlier this year - in 2023 - Mr. Bhagwat undertook a conversation with DD Gujarati on the revival of one of Ahmedabad's key public parks - Parimal Garden. He talks about not just the process of redesign for this much used public garden, but also on the need for spaces such as these that reflect community needs, and aspirations. While talking about the process of redesign, he also looks at ideas of sustainability, biodiversity, and creating a space that respects ideas of continuity, memory, and nostalgia.


A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns | Influence, Practice, and Way Forward - Landscape Design in Bangladesh
Ms. Manifa Rehnuma talks about what guides and influences Landscape Design in Bangladesh

Manifa Rehnuma, landscape architect and partner at AND Orden takes the viewers through a journey of the historic, ecological, cultural, and mythological influences on what has led to establishment of the landscape design profession in Bangladesh! She then takes the viewers on a much more personal journey - one that outlines the work that her design studio does! This presentation was followed by an engaging conversation - where we were joined by Prof. Patrick D’Rozario - that looked at ideas of creating a design vocabulary, influences of modernity, setting up landscape design as a profession, and also its future.


A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns | History and Evolution of Sri Lankan Landscape Architecture
Mr. Dan De Silva - an architect, and Managing Director of Brief Garden Design - engages in conversations of the past, present, and future of Landscape Design in Sri Lanka.

Dan De Silva of Brief Garden Design in Sri Lanka sets the context within which Landscape Design is practiced in Sri Lanka, and then within that context talks about ideas of process, history, design philosophy, and methods of practice for the profession in the country. This conversation is supported by the work that is undertaken by his firm, and the legacy that it carries forward. Post his presentation the discussion engaged with Mr. Varuna De Silva, and Dr. Milinda Pathiraja on ideas of oneness in landscape design, its trajectory in the country, and notions of originality and the introduction of the 'alien'.

A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns | On Praxis, Discourse, Trajectory
Taking for the conversation from the previous Saturday, sheds more light on landscape design in the Indian context.

In her second prelude presentation, Ms. Aparna Rao, creates a lens for the conversations undertaken as a part of the Webinar series, this time around with a special focus on history, pedagogy, education, and ethics. In the conversations that followed this presentation, were discussed ideas of education, practice - the dichotomy that these two seem to have, and what, if any, are the lessons that India may hold for its peers in the neighbouring countries.

A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns | On Landscape Design in Nepal
Two young practitioners - Ms. Ruchi Bajracharya, and Ms. Amrita Poudel - talk about the present state, and future expectations of the Landscape Design Profession in Nepal.

Two young practitioners - Ms. Ruchi Bajracharya of RBajracharya Studio, and Ms. Amrita Poudel of Meadow Design Studio set the context for Nepal - its geography, its culture, its music - and then talk about how this has influenced the practice of Landscape in Nepal; demonstrating this through the work that their respective studios have undertaken. While there presentations focused on the socio-cultural, and topographical influences that have guided the practice of Landscape Design in Nepal, the conversation that followed - helmed by Prof. Bharat Sharma, and Mr. Sanjaya Uprety - also introduced the need to develop an attitude and language, and also map potential roadblocks in taking the profession forward.


A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns | Landscape Design in Pakistan
Ms. Komal Parvez, and Prof. Ali Akbar Husain talk about the trajectory, influences, history, and way forward for the Landscape Design Profession in Pakistan.

Ms. Komal Parvez, a landscape architect based out of Karachi, and who founded what is perhaps the first private landscape design practice in Pakistan, accompanied by Prof. Ali Akbar Husain - an academician, writer and thinker, and landscape architect - provide a insights into what it means to practice landscape design in Pakistan! The conversations and thinking that they initiated was then further supported, and built on by Prof. Kamil Khan Mumtaz, and Ms. Khadija Jamal Shaban. The discussion allowed for conversation on ideas of power, ethics, and what it means to practice Landscape Design not just in Pakistan but also in the Indian context today.


A Dialogue - Saturday Sojourns | Pedagogy, Education, Ethics
Aparna Rao speaks to ideas of Pedagogy, Ethics, and Education in the Indian Context.

As part of the second series of Saturday Sojourns - Landscape Architecture in South Asia, creating a lens for the conversations undertaken as a part of the Webinar series this time around, Ms. Aparna Rao sets the context for landscape design in India in this prelude presentation for the series - with a special focus on history, pedagogy, education, and ethics



A Dialogue - Society of Garden Designers, Autumn Conference, 2021
Mr. Bhagwat talks about ideas of history, culture, nostalgia, society, and patronage as part of the SGD's Autumn Conference in 2021.

Curated by the Society of Garden Designers, UK, and hosted by Humaira Ikram, the Autumn Conference - Sense of Place - Listening to Land - saw Mr. Bhagwat talk about making ideas beyond sustainability, ecology, biodiversity, and environmental concerns integral to the design of spaces. He spoke alongside other speakers - experts in their field - Troy Scott Smith, Isabella Tree, Charlotte Harris & Hugo Bugg, and Teresa Moller.


A Dialogue - Baghorama Landscape Architects | Studio Roots
In conversation with Ketaki Godbole, Nikhil Raut, and Ajinkya Chavan of Bāghorama Landscape Architects, and Umesh Wakaley, and Prachi Wakaley of Studio Roots.

As part of Saturday Sojourns, the founders of Baghorama Landscape Architects chose to talk about their journey as they work towards expanding the idea of the profession beyond the immediate, not just through practice, but through literature as well. Umesh and Prachi Wakaley of Stutio Roots talk about the questions that have arisen - that need answering - to allow for a better understanding of the profession that they have been a part of for 18 years.



A Dialogue - Dharitri | Salient Design
In conversation with Deepthi Chandra of Dharitri, and Anuradha Rathore of Salient Design.

In this episode of Saturday Sojourns - Modern Landscape Architecture India, Ms. Deepthi Chandra of Dharitri, and Ms. Anuradha Rathore of Salient Design talk about their work, working with one's hand, and creating spaces that are integrated into everyday living, respectively.


A Dialogue - DDLA | FICUS
In conversation with Deepa Dipak of DDLA, and Aparna Rao & Sriganesh Rajendran on FICUS.

As part of this episode of the webinar series, Deepa Dipak of DDLA talks not only about the intricacies of planting design, and its joys, but also about running a one person practice, and what the implications of being a woman in the profession are. Our second presenters, Sriganesh Rajendran, and Aparna Rao talk about what it means to experience, and represent landscapes at an individual level.



A Dialogue SharedGround | STUDIO MADe
In conversation with Anjali Jain of SharedGround, and Madhusudhan Chalasani of Studio MADe.

In this session of Saturday Sojourns - Modern Landscape Architecture India, Anjali Jain talks about the boundaries that one navigates between academia and practice, and Madhusudhan Chalasani talks about how design must be guided by history, and context.


A Dialogue - Reading Grounds | Hemali Landscape Studio
In conversation with Preetanshi Singh and Shantesh Kelvekar of Reading Grounds, and Hemali Samant of Hemali Landscape Studio.

The founders of Reading Grounds - Preetanshi Singh, and Shantesh Kelvekar talk about the etymology that has guided their practice, and work, while Hemali Samant - our second presenter - talks about working with available resources, and learning lessons while creating spaces.



A Dialogue - VSLA | STUDIO 23N72E
In conversation with Varna Shashidhar of VSLA, and Dhara Mittal & Nishant Mittal of Studio 23N72E

As part of Saturday Sojourns, the our presenters spoke about the processes that they undertake in the course of their respective practices, and what landscape design, and space making means to them.


A Dialogue - KRVIA - Encounters
Mr. Aniket Bhagwat was invited to be a part of a seminar - Encounters - hosted by KRVIA.

An Eulogy to Slain Time - he talks about finding moments of value, moments of joy, and moments of nuance - moments that will guide us through these challenging times, and allow us to find hope moving forward. In a world that seems to have very little promise and optimism to offer - it is these moments that we must build on to create a world that demonstrates renewed ideas of creation, community, and empathy.



A Dialogue – 25 th Annual Seminar, GLDA
Mr. Bhagwat delivered a lecture - talking about the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and how it has informed the idea of design, and space-making.

The Garden and Landscape Designers Association, Ireland’s 25th Annual Seminar - Designing in Challenging Times – A Shift in Perspective was inspired from the events of the previous year. 2020 has seen constant shifts – shifts in our ideas of interaction and communication; shifts in the ideas of community, safety, and security. This lecture – given in February 2021 – maps how design, in its process, purpose, and approach – must alter themselves to become a response to the times within which we live.


A Dialogue - Million Gardens
Mr. Aniket Bhagwat talks about the idea of the Indian Garden at the Bangalore International Centre.

The Bangalore International Centre founded by a group of like-minded individuals, is an institute that facilitates open dialogue and discourse - becoming a go-to hub for conversations on art and culture. In March 2020, Mr. Aniket Bhagwat was invited to the centre to talk about the multiple meanings, and ideas associated with the Indian Garden.



A Dialogue - Death of Architecture
Vikram Prakash, the curator for Architecture Talk, speaks to Aniket Bhagwat & Riyaz Tayyibji about the exhibition.

Curated by Vikram Prakash, Architecture Talk is a podcast that focuses on conversations of Architecture, Design, Space, and Art; they are conversations that allow for new perspectives surrounding these fields. As a part of the Death of Architecture Exhibition, Aniket Bhagwat and Riyaz Tayyibji, were invited to discuss the intent of the exhibition, why it was needed, the process of curation, and how it was received.


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