20 Aug Intbau Pakistan’s international Conference on green architecture launches into its second day
Session three, day two of INTBAU (International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism) Pakistan’s three-day conference spread of five sessions began bright and early in the morning, with delegates coming in bus-fulls to ZC3, the venue of the conference for the first two days, and with many others having stayed the previous night at Makli.
With the bamboo structure of the Zero Carbon Centre colourfully decorated in green and blue the guests arriving for the first time at the venue were taken aback by the impressive arrangements made in the middle of an erstwhile beggars’ village – especially by the mud and bamboo living accommodations made for over 80 delegates and 40 students who stayed overnight.
The master of ceremonies for the entire conference, joint secretary INTBAU Pakistan, Shanaz Ramzi formally began the session with recitation from the Holy Quran by a student. Murad Jamil, Honarary Secretary, INTBAU Pakistan then welcomed all the delegates. Mr Sardar Ali Shah, Minister for Culture, Government of Sindh then addressed the gathering and appreciated the efforts of INTBAU Pakistan in making this international conference possible and highlighting Makli in the process.
The speakers lined up for the third session included James Green of Richard Griffiths Architects who spoke about Zero Carbon ateliers. Lisa Skillen, a ceramist from Australia spoke about glazed ceramics and terracotta ateliers, while Celeste Sangster of World Habitat briefed delegates about Pakistan Chulah and the award it won, Dr Gwynn Jenkins from Malaysia spoke about heritage safeguarding while Sadia Fazli (Registrar PCATP) spoke about the engagement of students in such activities.
The next few hours were spent in demonstrations by artisans and hands-on work learning the techniques being adopted by the trained village folk to do kashi work, and working with bamboo and earth, as well as restoration work at 17th c. tomb of Munir Maghfoori.
The workshops were as under.
- Earth wall techniques
- Earth plasters
- Thatching technique
- Lime slaking methods and mixing
- Bamboo techniques
- Prefabricated panel-making
- Erection of LOG (Lari OctaGreen)
- Preparation for terracotta/kashi (ceramics)
- Painting, Glaze application, finishing for terracotta/kashi products
- Traditional kiln firing
- Making organic earth for plantation
- Box plantation, Azzolla and green fodder
- Mother earth products: organic briquette for fuel, natural soap, bamboo charcoal toothpaste, organic compost
- Pakistan Chulah making and decorating
- Scientific cleaning of stone elements using natural soap
- Ground cleaning
- Repairs and stabilization of stone graves
- Use of lime
After a break for lunch session four began with senior architect, Nayyar Ali Dada briefed about architecture in Pakistan, while Prof. Dr Noman Ahmad dean NED University moderated a general discussion involving all delegates – both national and international — and students.
The various workshop facilitators which included Danish Zuby, Dr Bhai Khan Sher, Ramiz Baig, Shahid Khan, Arif Belgaumi, Safeeyah Moosa, Prof. Dr. Samra Khan, Prof. Dr. Anila Naeem, Saba Samee, Azhar Sualehi, Wafa Shah, Mujahid Sadiq, Tapu Javeri, Moyena Niazi, Marvi Mazhar, Azmat Ali Khan, Mariam Ghaznavi, Irtiza Ahmed, Sofia Mir, Mohd. Eesa, Hashim Ashraf, Fareeda Ghaffar, Tanya Ali Soomro, and Noor-ul-Huda who had been overseeing the activities then presented their learnings. Shama Usman concluded the presentations.
Ar. Yawar Jilani then concluded the session with the Way Forward.
After refreshments, chief minister, Government of Sindh and senator Sassui Palijo joined the conference. Ar. Khadija Jamal chairperson IAP-BAE and member executive committee INTBAU Pakistan gave the welcome note.
Arif Changezi president Institute of Architects Pakistan spoke about Engagement of architects in development while Amir Nazir Chaudhry vice chairperson Architecture PCATP spoke about Architects and planners’ role in meeting SDGs.
Harriet Wennberg executive director INTBAU dwelt on the Way Forward, after which Safeeyah Moosa CE Spiritual Chords, South Africa spoke about Zero Carbon for Africa.
Finally, Yasmeen Lari addressed the session and briefed the participants and delegates about her Foundation’s work in Makli and with local communities.
Mementoes and certificates were then distributed among the delegates by senator Sassui Palijo.
Hadi Ali Rizvi member executive committee INTBAU Pakistan delivered vote of thanks.
The conference was followed by refreshments.