Academy of Fashion

This Academy of Fashion in Jaipur, was designed by Morphogenesis. Because the project is located in the middle of the desert, the architects created a passive climate controlled environment including a double skin exterior and a surprising interior courtyard and pond. The double skin design is both modern in pattern and traditional in detail... The architects did a great job combining historic technologies with current function and aesthetic.

Ribbon

Crafted by artisans in India, each ribbon coat rack is unique. The powder coated piece by Headsprung would be a fun and colorful accent for an entry hall.

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Le Corbusier in India

A few images of Corbu's work in India via ¡arturii!'s flickr.
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Architecture for Humanity on Frontline

Architecture for Humanity's work in India is currently being featured on Frontline. Purnima McCutcheon is working on the ground in India, in areas affected by 2004's tsunami to make a difference by providing a village hall. Supported by a team in San Francisco, Purnima is able to change lives through her designs... Check out the rest of the interview with Purnima, as well as an interview with Cameron Sinclair and Kate Stohr (founders of Architecture with Humanity) -and more info and photos. Purnima's take on sustainable design being beyond prius' and solar panels and absolutely necessary for the developing world is quite interesting. While the special is obviously geared towards the general public, designers and architects should also find it entertaining and thought provoking.

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Italy and India

An interesting pictoral comparison of Italy and India by Urban Typhoon Workshop Koliwada.

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Via Airoots Eirut

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Minal + Sonal Design

Based in Navi Mumbai India, Minal + Sonal Designs have got a wide body of work... I really like their simple forms and placeful use of color...

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Fair Trade and Climate Neutral

I thought of Karen when I saw these rugs (she's been on the hunt)...That combined with today being earth day, and I couldn't pass on posting about this company. Bholu is a climate neutral and fair trade company based in Australia that designs these rugs using Australian wool, and then hand embroidered by women in Gujarat, India using traditional techniques. In addition to providing a modern rug you can be proud to have in your home, the women earn an independent income. Next time you're in the market for a rug, definitely check these guys out.
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Via Bricks and Cartwheels
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Is LEED Green Enough?

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I'm not yet LEED certified... I keep meaning to take the test, but after finishing the AREs, I'm frankly not all that interested in studying. Besides my lack of motivation for studying in general, I'm just not very motivated to take the exam because I'm not completely convinced of its merits. I consider myself a fairly green person, and try to design green whenever my job allows it (which I must admit is not as often as I'd like), so I've never really understood how LEED would or could help me in my work. I could obviously be even more green in my life and work and perhaps studying for the exam would introduce me to technologies and practices with which I'm not currently familiar. But mostly, I feel like its a lot of added paperwork for a job that's already heavy on the paperwork just to prove that I'm getting the result that we should all be aiming for anyway!

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Last month, there was an article in slate about these very ideas (and even more about the value of the points system) that more clearly expresses my hesitation for bothering with LEED. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the points, effort, and results tied to the LEED process.

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Rendering of the Antilia
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