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.

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.