Anant National University holds International Symposium ‘Architecture for All: Call of the Future’

The three-day international symposium organized by Anant National University, India’s first DesignX University, based in Ahmedabad, brought together leading minds from the global architectural community to explore the future of architecture. Paper presenters were present from various regions of India, Portugal, Bangladesh, Canada, and the USA.


For the event, 40 presenters were selected through a double-blind review process to showcase their research papers. These scholars and practitioners delivered engaging presentations and shared insights on various aspects of architecture, offering valuable perspectives on current trends, challenges, and innovations in the field. The paper presentations aligned with the nine identified themes exploring architecture’s relation with climate, identity, inclusion, well-being, ecology, technology, context, society, and politics.

Sri Lankan architect Madhura Prematilleke gave a discourse on a Bill of Architectural Rights. Architect Peter Rich from South Africa, in his keynote, addressed the human dimension of design and the role of cultural responsiveness in contemporary architecture. Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum discussed the impact of architecture on the healing processes of displacement and fostering dignity for individuals in transition.

Reflecting on the symposium’s success, Dr Anunaya Chaubey, Provost of Anant National University, emphasised the University’s commitment to encouraging dialogue and innovation in the field of architecture, ensuring that it remains accessible and responsive to the needs of all.

Rajeev Kathpalia, Chair Professor at the School of Architecture and General Chair of the symposium, made invaluable contributions to the event, playing an important role in shaping the symposium’s agenda and ensuring its success as a platform for meaningful discourse on architecture.

Anant National University offers courses such as Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Design and Master of Architecture. Since 2020, AnantU has been offering the much-coveted Anant Fellowship for Climate Action, a unique one-year immersive global programme for climate change solutionaries. The Fellowship is a member of MIT Solve and is aimed at creating a community of climate change trailblazers who collaborate and cross-pollinate each other’s work with ideas and expertise from across sectors, regions and generations. The university’s extensive Maker Space is equipped with tools including a hi-tech digital manufacturing laboratory and electronics workbench.