Indo-French Architecture Workshop 2010

1st Dec. to 10th Dec.

We departed from C.S.I.A, Mumbai at 2 a.m. of 28th Nov. and after 6 hours we were on the Bangkok
international airport, Suvarnabhumi AirPort. To describe the airport in one word it was “long” and also
beautiful. Long moving walkway, green patches within airport premises and tallest control tower were
some of the peculiar of airport.

Moving on we met M.arch Students and Mentors from Nagpur at airport and proceeded towards our hotel
in mid-town Bangkok, Hotel Manohra. On the very first day we went to nearby railway station and visited
the Weekend market; a weekend gathering of locals in the central garden to enjoy performance by local
rock band and street food.

29th Nov

We hired fast and cheap rickshaws, TukTuk and went to Chulalongkorn University of Architecture, where we had our
first acquaintance with French students of Ecole Nationale Superieure D’Architecture De Paris Bellevelli (ENSAPB),
followed by a city tour. The road network of Bangkok is complex, well planned speed-breakerless!!(Dream of every
Indian motorist) After the end of city tour we went to local MBK mall and shopped. The day ended with a dinner
with French students.

30th Nov

We went on a city tour to visit Royal palace, Reclining Buddha and Golden mountain temple, but this time it was via
boat, where scenario was very similar to our Mumbai local trains.

1St Dec

Early morning, our whole Indo-French team packed their bags, checked out of hotels and left for Cambodia in cars.
After 3 hour long journey we were at Thai-Cambodia border. After completing formalities we went to Siem Reap
city* of Cambodia, where we stayed at Parklane Hotel.

SIEM REAP*-World famous for Angkor Wat temple. Also known for colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old
French Quarter, the Old Market, Pub-street and traditional Apsara dance performances.

2nd Dec

Next morning we met French students at a local French school; École Française d’extrême-orient (EFEO) which was
our work studio for rest of our stay in Cambodia. 5 Groups of French student presented their ground work, analysis
and proposals for the existing canal system of Siem Reap. Basically all the conclusion and analysis were based on
data available on internet, compiled together over span of 2 months in Paris. They were totally unaware of actual
scenario at site.
Indian student were give an open choice to join any of the 5 French teams for next 10 days of workshop. After final
groups were made; Each 5 groups were taken to actual site by Aline Pottier of ENSAPB. On finding poor condition of
canal in terms of pollution and encroachment , Every team had to chalk out a new agenda for detailed survey and
new proposals for canal system. The deadline for the new proposal were set on 7 th Dec. Thus, the new agenda
became the daily routine for every student for next 5 days.

6th Dec

We, Indian student took a day off to visit the world famous 12 th century Angkor Wat Temple dedicated to Lord
Vishnu. There are many small temples in Angkor Wat Temple premises, of which we started from Ta Prohm temple
(Ta-Ancestor. Prohm-Bramha) It is being restored by Archaeological survey of India (AIS) since 2004

When we reached there, Director General of AIS gave a short speech on process of restoration by AIS in the most
challenging Temple of Angkor Wat. Then we were shown various restored parts of temple and also the process of
restoring a certain piece of statue by process of mending. After bidding farewell to AIS team we proceeded toward
other small but marvellous temple. All temples were mostly made of laterite from inside and then coved with
sandstone rock from outside. The stone blocks were held together by mortise and tenon joints in some cases, while
in others they used dovetails and gravity. Temples were influenced from Orissa and Chola temples of South India.

Finally when we reached Angkor Wat, we were amazed by well-preserved beauty and grandeur of it. It was in total
harmony with nature. Unlike other Khamer Temples, This temple is built west facing and hence it glittered like gold
during sunset time in evening.

7th Dec

Returning back to daily routine each team worked hard till the last minute of Final presentation. After receiving good
response from jury every team members were feeling content with the work they did in last 7 days.

8th Dec

On 8th each teams were further divided in 2 groups and were allotted with two house, which were to be documented
and presented on evening of 10th Dec.

10th Dec

After three days of toiling hard in Cambodian sun, Evening presentation was quiet successful as each phase of the
class room was filled with handmade sketches and drawing of various house. It was a great experience for each one
of us to have worked with French students. After days of working together each one had bonded together tightly.

After presentation, certificates of participation were distributed among students by Aline Pottier. Followed by gifts
distribution to French Students by Gulshan Sir.

A dinner had been held at a local Indian restaurant, New Delhi. Where Indo-French Team had their last dinner
together. After bidding farewell and promising to stay in touch, everyone dispersed to their respective hotel.
11th Dec

We checked out of our Hotel, we proceeded to Siem Reap International airport for our flight to Malaysia. On
reaching to Malaysia after a short flight we were in desperation to have a sight of PETRONAS tower. It was a long
way from KLIA to Kuala Lumpur. On having our first sight of PETRONAS Tower, everyone hooted in joy. As soon as we
checked into Parkin hotel, everyone rushed to nearby train station to see PETRONAS tower. It was a tiring day after
roaming around in city till late night.

12th Dec

Next day we went on a city tour to various places of Kuala Lampur like KLCC viewing point, Chocolate factory, Royal
palace and the best of all, PutraJaya City. The political centre of Malaysia and the most beautifully planned city I have
ever seen. The best attraction for all of was a “Santiago Calatrava Style “ Bridge. We couldn’t get enough of it!!

Finally we went to Kuala Lampur Airport, which had a beautiful roof system, a viewing deck and a tropical forest like
garden in middle of Airport. We took a 7p.m.(local time) plane to Mumbai and were in Mumbai at 10.30 p.m. This
marked the end of a beautiful journey called “Indo-French Workshop 2010”.

-Bhavin Kothari

S.Y.B.Arch