Guwahati [India], November 2023: Cheers to the successful end of the big event 'Smart Design Conclave & Awards' that took place on November 4th in Guwahati, Assam by the initiative of Building Material Reporter, India's quickest video news generator for building products, design, construction, and architecture. This event marks the third edition of the gala symposium in the field of design and architecture.
This laudatory event has grown to become a well-known platform for celebrating and rewarding accomplishments in several fields, all related to building construction, architecture, and design. After two successful editions, Smart Design Conclave & Awards has been a great success, starting with Smartex in Delhi and expanding to Karnal and Guwahati. It has received a lot of praise and has become a standard for excellence and innovation.
The ceremony's main aim was to recognise people from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities who have excelled in their disciplines and shown remarkable talent, originality, and knowledge. Event’s sponsors include Haier (HVAC Solutions), the title partner; Alstone Manufacturing, ‘powered by’ partner; along with associate partners Vibrant Technik, VOX bulding Products, Gujarat Guardian Ltd., and Canon. Their innovative technology, imaginative materials, and recently launched products caught everyone's attention.
The event proved to be a captivating and enriching experience for design enthusiasts, professionals, and the industry stakeholders alike. Organised by Building Material Reporter (BMR) - India’s fastest video news generator for building products, design, construction, and architecture, the event was held at Vivanta By Taj in November 2023.
Smart Design Conclave & Awards (SDCA) is an offshoot of the much-hyped Symposium & Expo, Smartex. While Smartex serves a national audience, SDCA is especially curated to focus on tier-2 and tier-3 cities/regions. Eminent architects, designers and consultants of the region converged under one roof to get engaged in a dialogue over smart designs and innovation.
Event Overview: The event kicked off with an opening ceremony that featured inaugural address, followed by keynote address, technical presentations and panel discussions. Esteemed designers and experts shared their insights on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the world of design in the north eastern region. The symposium sessions covered significant topics like a wide array of topics, including graphic design, fashion design, interior design, industrial design, and more.
No wonder, SDCA has evolved into a prominent platform for recognising and honouring achievements in various segments within the building construction, architecture, and design fields. The evening also featured participation from college students and outstanding architects from Guwahati, such as Ar. Ranjib Baruah, Ar. Pankaj Phukan, Ar. Abhishek Sarma, Ar. Pritam Nath, and Ar. Rittick Hazarika. Students from Guwahati College of Architecture, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Royal Global University also made their presence felt thropugh their inqiuisitiveness.
Keynote: The symposium’s key highlight was the keynote address by Prof. Manoj Mathur from SPA, New Delhi, focusing on the impending crisis in the building material industry. His insights set the stage for the subsequent discussions and panels, emphasising the need for sustainable and innovative approaches in the face of challenges.
Panel Discussions:A significant aspect of the event was the panel discussions. The first panel delved into the impact of digital platforms on architectural creativity and the profession itself. Ar. Pankaj Phukan of Pankaj Phukan & Associates guided the discussion, allowing the panellists including Ar. Rittick Hazarika, Ar. Amrita Sabhapandit, Ar. Aditya Garodiia, Ar. Tapobratta Dutta, and Ar. Pinaki Bhattacharjee to share diverse perspectives. Topics ranged from the role of Google in influencing design trends to the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital era. Each panellist brought a unique viewpoint, enriching the dialogue.
The second panel explored the intricate dynamics between architects and clients. Ar. Amitabh Sarma skillfully guided the conversation, fostering an open dialogue among the panellists including Ar. Ragini Goswami, Ar. Deboshish Chakraborty, Ar. Avinash Chirania, Ar. Ayanjeet Choudhary, and Ar. Pritam Nath. The discussion covered topics such as communication challenges, the importance of mutual understanding, and strategies for successful collaborations. The diverse experiences shared by the panellists provided valuable insights for both seasoned and emerging professionals.
Expo Highlights:The success of the event is attributed to the support of key stakeholders, including title partner Haier Appliances India Pvt. Ltd., ‘powered by’ partner Alstone Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd., and associate partners Canon India Pvt. Ltd., Gujarat Guardian Ltd., VOX Building Products Pvt. Ltd., and Vibrant Technik, who played pivotal roles in making the event a reality. All these brands took the opportunity to showcase their new smart products, innovative materials, and the latest technology, creating highlights that added to the event's success.
The expo featured a diverse array of exhibition stalls, each showcasing the smart and innovative products of the leading brands in the realm of building and construction industry. The attendees had the chance to explore cutting-edge products, innovative projects, and emerging trends in the design industry.
Networking Opportunities: SDCA Guwahati fostered a collaborative environment, providing ample networking opportunities for professionals and aspiring designers. Attendees had the chance to connect with industry leaders, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships. The event facilitated a cross-pollination of ideas, encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations among participants.
Awards do Make the Journey Sweeter: The event also witnessed presenting Lifetime Achievement Award to Ar. Biswa Datta, recognising his visionary contributions to the world of architecture & design. Other awardees included individuals who have made significant contributions to the building construction, design, and architecture sectors over the past few decades. Notable awardees were Ar. Ronojoy Sen, Ar. Ramendra Nath Baishya, Ar. Arijeet Choudhary, Ar. Arup Kumar Das, Ar. Ranjib & Ami Ambani Barua among others.
Conclusion
The Smart Design Conclave & Awards - Symposium & Expo in Guwahati successfully brought together a diverse community of designers, professionals, and enthusiasts. The event provided a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and celebration of creativity. As the design industry continues to evolve, events like these play a pivotal role in shaping the future and fostering a sense of community among designers. The success of this symposium and expo sets a positive precedent for future design-centric events in the region.
The success of this event indicates the growing interest and importance of design in various sectors, highlighting its role in shaping the future of our cities and daily lives. As we look forward to future editions of the event, it is evident that it has established itself as a significant platform for the exchange of ideas, showcasing the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of design in the contemporary world.
Future Initiatives: With the tremendous success of SDCA Guwahati, we have a busy schedule for the foreseeable future. Building Material Reporter is a preeminent platform that rewards and recognises exceptional work produced by individuals in a variety of industries. The brand, which aims to empower, inspire, and connect professionals, is essential to promoting development, creativity, and teamwork. The firm continues to bring together experts, enthusiasts, and leaders in the industry to cooperate, learn, and inspire, with a primary focus on generating networking opportunities.
SMARTEX is an exciting and successful event that opens up a whole new world of endless possibilities for all designers, architects and stakeholders. So, save your dates for the next one! Don’t miss this event.