MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi
Monthly Archives: November 2012
History of Architecture workshop at MIDAS
MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi
MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi
MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi
MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi
MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi
MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi
MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi
Homes in suburbs turn costlier as Chennai grows
A significant rise in land prices and escalating cost of construction have seen apartments in most city suburbs appreciate by over 1,000 per sq ft in the past two years. A look at six comparable residential localities on the outskirts reveal that the prices have gone up by up to 75% in some of the areas. Apartments in Medavakkam , considered among 13 most happening residential hubs as per a report released by realty consultant Knight Frank , has seen a growth of 1,200 to 1,400 per sq ft in the last two years , depending on the location of the project .
The price of apartments has gone up from 2,900 to 4,100 per sq ft. The real estate market in Medavakkam might grow even faster in the next few years , citing the presence of social infrastructure like schools, shopping facilities and above all , its proximity to Velachery , Old Mahabalipuram Road ,Pallavaram and Tambaram , which are costlier locations.
However, it is Manapakkam, which has witnessed the maximum appreciation in the last 24 months. One of his projects in Manapakkam was selling at 3,600 per sq ft two years ago, but now it goes for 6,300 per sq ft. T Vathsala Menon, who owns an apartment in Maduravoyal , said , “We booked the apartment at 2,800 per sq ft in 2008 . By 2010, prices went up to 4,000 per sq ft and today it is 5,500 per sq ft”. She said the same builder is likely to launch another project next door at a higher price.
Places like Thiruneermalai and Madhavaram also are emerging residential hubs. While the price has gone up from 2,500 per sq ft to 3,900 per sq ft in Thiruneermalai in two years , it has gone up from 3,300 to 3,900 per sq ft at Madhavaram . Similarly , Semmancherry has witnessed a growth of 1,100 per sq ft – from 3,400 to 4,500 – during the said period. “A city’s tendency is to grow either in concentric circles or along traffic corridors,” . Even North Chennai, once considered a backwater region, is growing now, thanks to the Metro Rail project and good road connectivity.
Cost of construction has goneup by 30 % to40% in the last couple of years. “Earlier, builders used to be worried about mounting cost of construction material only at the time of budget. Now, the prices are rising every month, if not on a weekly basis,”.
Source: The Times of India, Chennai
Alyssa Mendonsa talking about SAM
ALYSSA MENDONSA, Play back singer who did a one year Diploma Program at SAM and who also got Filmfare Nomination for Best Female Playback Singer and she was voted as Best Female Playback singers of 2011.
Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music
Fractal Workshop at MIDAS
Ms Takbir Fatima II conducted a three day Fractals.2.0 workshop at MIDAS from 24th to 26th at the Marg Institute ofDesign and Architecture Swarnabhoomi -MIDAS. The students enjoyed making the installations and experimenting new forms. The sample of the outcome is shown above.
For More Details About MIDAS: http://www.midas.ac.in/
Indian Music at SAM
The First Professional College Of Music In India to offer a range of programs in contemporary music that includes Rock, Jazz, Classical, Carnatic and World music. With world renowned faculty and top of the line facilities.
Swarnabhoomi Academy Of Music
www.sam.org.in
CMDA’s e-governance to simplify approval process for developers
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) receives on average 5-6 applications for special buildings and one application for multistoried building every day. While the developers complain of inordinate delay in the approval process, the authorities counter stating that on many occasions complete documentation do not accompany the application in order to catch the deadline for submitting the application. After a series of meetings with the developers, the CMDA has now come out with unique software to simplify the planning approval process.
There are more than 1,000 rule parameters which are to be broken into sub-modules. It took time to understand the complexities involved in the whole system, says official sources in CMDA. Basically it works on the colour codes and text. Users’ manual has already been uploaded on the site which explains the aims and objectives of the software.
Though the colour codes have been reduced to 40 now, efforts still continue to reduce it further as there is scope for further improvement. All that the users should do is to follow the colour codes and texts in the prescribed format including font type and size. A few architects have already tested the software and found it user friendly. For the simple drawings, it will hardly take 5 minutes. The developers will have to adhere to the prescribed format and terms and conditions for computing FSI eligibility. In fact more than 60 files submitted earlier for special buildings and MSB have been checked by the CMDA and it tallies with the prescribed FSI norms.
A password will be provided to the users so that they can go the website, download it and use it. They can access the site any time to ascertain the status of their application. If correction is needed, it can be done immediately. The CMDA is still studying the security aspect of it as well. The consultant is in the process of fine-tuning the security aspects for uploading it on the website.
The CMDA has ensured to go live with the files after trial run of over 100 CDs with timings and drawings. Initially there was no pick up as developers did not submit the drawings in the prescribed format for the test run. In order to train the developers’ representatives, in-house training has been imparted and four batches have so far been completed. As a follow up exercise, CMDA will now approach the Institute of Architects to arrange for a similar training exercise.
After the test run is over, CMDA will formally launch the Automated Planning Permission Application Scrutiny (APPAS) software which is likely to take another 1-1.5 months. However, developers can submit the applications even now in the new software format. The CMDA feels that considerable time, man-hours and commuting to the authorities would be saved once the implementation is successful.
Source:margicbricks
In a room with Jordan Rudess
Gowri Jayakumar, student and our resident scribe gets Jordan Rudess to talk about education, his world of music, his innovative apps, collaborations and his beard.
By age nine, he was at The Juilliard School studying classical music – an academic journey that lasted a decade! Fast forward to a time when he’s ripping it on stage with one of the most well-known progressive metal bands in the world. Having spent over 12 years as the keyboardist of Dream Theater, there is hardly a regular day in the life of Jordan Rudess. When he isn’t touring, which he is most part of the year, he’s a music app innovator for Apple and Android devices. While his love for progressive rock remains untarnished, when alone Rudess gravitates towards music that is “gentle on the spirit”. He is all about exploring the sonic landscape of the world (of music). And I managed to steal him into one of the piano rooms at Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music during his one-week workshop last month, and ask a bunch of questions. Completely at ease by a grand piano, he often let his fingers do the talking.
What inspired that beard?
The hair doesn’t grow as well on the top of my head! I used to have really long hair. I don’t know. It’s gone through different stages – first it started to grow a little, then I went through sideburns and moustache and this and that. But yeah, finally, the beard just started to grow, and I thought this is pretty cool. And that’s it.
(If) and when you’re down and blue, what do you listen to?
I would play the blues (haha)! I generally like to listen to things are kind of more mellow than what I play with Dream Theater (DT). I like going back and listening to Michael Hedges, and more recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Sigur Rós (they’re awesome). But I’m a big progressive rock fan. I always like to listen to Genesis and Yes and Pink Floyd. I like electronic music too – things like Aphex Twin. I love Porcupine Tree and the offshoot that I actually played in for a while – Blackfield.
How has your taste evolved over the time you’ve been playing with DT?
I am interested in what’s happening sonically in the world – things that are pushing the envelope a little bit, a bit more progressive-minded. I’ve always liked spacey music, but there was a movement that happened over the last few years with electronic music right…that was very progressive, very cool. There are so many different types of genres, but they’re called IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) or Glitchy – and now there’s the whole Skrillex kind of thing. It’s interesting.
Do you play a lot of what you listen to?
I’m totally the opposite. I don’t like to listen to a lot of hard rock and stuff. It’s funny, but I like to listen to things that are more gentle on my spirit. I love what I do. I love going out with DT and playing things that are…intense, progressive, heavy and wild. But when I’m in my own space, I tend to gravitate towards things that are a little bit more calm, and I’m interested in sounds. You know … I’m a synthesist. So I want to hear cool sounds, the different timbres…I get that when I listen to Sigur Rós – they are so conscious of all the sonic elements.
The success of DT…
I think the style of DT is an interesting one because we can go into that direction where it’s technical and advanced and cerebral at many levels. But the reality is, if you look at the people in the group – like the kind of things I’m telling you and the kind of person John Petrucci is, and since we’re the main writers of the group – we love things that are melodic.
So I think what separates DT from the rest of the bands and the reason we have had a career all around the world is because we’re not afraid to be melodic … it’s this interesting combination of musicians for whom the academic side of what we’re doing comes very easily and naturally. It’s not forced, it’s just what we enjoy at that level, but at the same time we love melody, emotions … and I think that’s what the people around the world respond to.
Do you compose music keeping an audience in mind?
Well, first of all the music has to make us feel right you know. If it is something that we can relate to – if it is cool, trippy, adventurous or emotional –then that’s the beginning. Then we think ‘what will our fans think of this,’ because with DT, we make a living playing for people around the world, and there’s a lot of people very invested in what we do, and we want them to be happy as well.
Does being in DT give you complete musical freedom personally?
DT is a very large window of stylistic possibilities … for sure I can do all kinds of stuff. But since my whole life is really all about music, I mean that’s all I really do … and there’s so many different kinds of music and if I want to play like real spacey electronic music, that’s not going to happen in a DT format. If I want to play something extremely hypnotic and mellow or something really jazzy, that won’t happen in the DT format either. The only thing that might happen is a little break in the song with those styles. I can do a lot of things but I have other outlets for that … like Liquid Tension Experiment. When we did that album, it was basically three of the guys from DT (the main writers) with Mike Portnoy at the time and Tony Levin, a wonderful bass-player. But the music really very different, and that was because we were coming into something that was a totally new thing. And we had no expectations on anybody’s part … like the fan’s part – they didn’t there was a new group – or for the musicians. They called me and they didn’t really know what I would bring…that was cool, because even with the same guys, it was different music.
Your most memorable collaborations.
Oh I love collaborating. You know I don’t have that much time, but when I do, I search out and welcome the opportunity to play with new people, because it’s just so interesting. I’ve collaborated a little with Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, I love his musicality and whenever we have a chance to do something together I welcome that because I can relate to where he’s coming from musically, and I think about that sometimes when I’m playing by myself. You know, I’m a classically trained musician from Juilliard, but I was always interested in improvising and things that were natural as well. But Steven is someone who is totally coming at it naturally and I’m fascinated with that, because music – the core of it is really just a natural experience. And since we’re here (SAM) right now, I just had my first little jam with Prasanna today and I was like, wow this is so cool, because he’s coming from such a different space that there’s a lot I can learn from, and that to me is really exciting.
How important is music education?
It is incredibly important. I feel like people around the world almost think like, with great musicians it’s almost like magic or something. That they’re all of sudden able to do things, create great leads in all kinds of parts, but the reality is to play an instrument, be it a piano, guitar, trombone, voice, or even to use your computer effectively to make music, you need to have the developed skill. It doesn’t just “happen”. Anything that you hear in your head, there’s a technique to controlling the notes. It’s got to be clean and precise, and these things on a physical instrument like a piano or guitar, are like sports – that is what I keep telling the kids here – because you have to really develop the muscles. Your fingers need to have strength. I remember once, the drummer of Motley Crue walked into a room where I was playing and told me “Your fingers are like little machine guns!” Hahaha that was really funny. But yeah, it comes from a lot of practising. Practising things that are really boring, but I always try to practise in creative ways.
Describe a regular day in your life.
It’s never regular, because I’m on the road for most part of the year with the band…but when I’m at home, I’m often playing catch-up with a life that I’ve missed while I’ve been away. It could include driving my girls. The older one’s in college but the younger one still needs to be driven to her various activities. Or I’ll be working on a project. I have a company called Wizdom Music that makes apps for iPhones and Android devices, etc … so I spend a lot of time doing that too…I’m really busy you know, so when I sit with my synthesizer, I try to really make my time there mean as much as it can. I try and develop ways to practise that are very efficient. I stay focused and try working my fingers so they really mean something.
When did you start developing music apps?
A few years ago I got my iPhone, and I remember there was very preliminary kind of piano on the iPhone, and I was just playing it. It didn’t do really anything, but it really triggered some creative ideas. I thought ‘wow I could do some amazing things with this’. And I was sitting on the couch in my living room, and my wife saw me and said “What are you doing? We have a beautiful Steinway Grand in the other room. What are you doing with that?” And I said “No, no. No, it’s okay. I got something in mind here. It’s something cool, so let me do this.” She looked at me like I was crazy or something. Haha. So I got into really looking at some of the creative things people were doing on that platform, and I began to reach out to different developers and talk about some of my ideas, and I found one guy whose name is Kevin Chartier who is a brilliant programmer. We decided to work together and we decided early on that we’d split it 50-50 but let’s just do it! And that was the beginning of Wizdom Music. Now we have about six apps. The first one was called Morphwhiz which is my favourite. It enabled me to look into and work on this concept to show how these devices like iPads etc can be actually an expressive musical instrument…
“it’s such a nice environment. Everyone’s in a different headspace, they really want to learn and they’re respectful… so it’s been a real pleasure”
Jordan Rudess
Jordan Rudess
How has your experience in India been?
I was in India about 16 years ago, doing a clinic in Chennai back then, but my experience this time has been really (really) cool. It’s a little bit of a culture shock here. Although I’ve been all around the world, usually I go into the big cities, and if pass rural areas, I’m just driving right through them, but I’ve never driven through anything like what I did to come here (SAM) – with goats and cows over the road – it was a crazy wild scene. I was like whoa! But once you’re here, it’s such a nice environment. Everyone’s in a different headspace, they really want to learn and they’re respectful … so it’s been a real pleasure.
Announcing Spring 2013 Scholarships
In our first year after instituting scholarships, this is the second time we are announcing the Scholarships. This time we received scholarship applications for the Spring 2013 semester from all over India, Bangladesh and Nigeria. After careful consideration of all the applications and materials submitted we are happy to announce the recipients of the Merit Based Scholarship for Spring 2013 semester
General Excellence Scholarship
Al Fahmi Kazi Bashar from Bangladesh
A professional musician since 2000, multi-instrumentalist Al Fahmi Kazi Bashar a.k.a Kaartik is from Bangladesh. He has been a composer, arranger and producer and has released two albums with his band ‘Bangla’. Has performed all over the world with the band. Below is one of his submissions for the Scholarship.
Below is Kaartik with his band ‘Bangla’ performing in Germany
Scholarships by Instrument
Voice
- Anupreet Kaur from Delhi, India
Guitar
- Arjun Desai from Delhi, India
Piano
- Pritam Boro from Orissa, India
Drums
- Abhinav Yogesh from Bangalore, India
Congratulations to Scholarship winners from everybody at SAM
Visit:http://sam.org.in
Marg Limited 