WRITING ARCHITECTURE TROPHY 2015 -16

1. Introduction / Background
The term Revolution comes with the meaning of turning back to a certain kind of
past and investing into a vision believing in a future that does not exist. On the other
hand, the term Evolution in the Darwinian sense is indicative of irreversible patterns
arising from the mutation of species as they face the effects and challenges of time.
Both the terms point towards changes and transformations. Transformations hint at
violence and destruction, as well as, weeding out the unwanted, useless, superficial,
and impractical and so forth to effect the phenomenal world and community.
Imagining a future can also mean distancing from the present and the factual. If the
Bauhaus turned its back on the past as it were the next generations went into
rediscovering the values that were eroded through internationalism. The tussle
continues. On the one hand the science tells us that water on the planet Mars can
be tapped while the deep within the humans know how much they have ruined the
planet earth through ignorance and by wasting natural resources. Architecture and
planning, unlike writing poetry and making paintings, leave a deep effect, often
irreversible, on the ecology of this planet and the equity of opportunity for all
humans.
The humans are bounded by an unwritten code that modifies itself circumstantially
from time to time in order they are able to survive and inhabit as a society that
shares the resources and rejoice in opportunities albeit with responsibility connecting
the self and the community. There have been revolutions of many kinds when
freedom and values are interpreted diversely, rebellions against the hegemony of a
few in power, agrarian and green revolutions and of course as how architecture is
envisioned. It would be important to recognise the false as false in order to
comprehend what is most appropriate and least invasive action in the times we live
in. Architecture is neither visual nor spatial extravaganza of forms alone but it serves
as a gateway to wisdom. It can bring great delight as much as it can leave terrible
scars.
The essay competition aims at an energetic debate on the issue of revolution and
evolution as these are understood by competitors. In view of this apparent duality of
perceptions it would be possible to identify and critically re-examine theories which

National Association of Students of Architecture

Writing Architecture Trophy 2015 - 16
(Re)evolution

WRITING ARCHITECTURE TROPHY 2015 -16

have contributed to thinking and shaping architecture as they manifest in the works
of architecture currently anywhere in the world. The focus may either be on cities,
and architecture of urbanity or even that of the indigenous communities for making
a studied argument.

Binding Rules of Competition:

1. Every college can send in a maximum of five entries.
2. A maximum number of 3 clearly identified students can work on each entry.
3. The entry should be submitted in the format specified so that the identity of the
team members, the team or the institution they belong is not revealed to the
judges.
4. No visuals should accompany the essay.

Judgement Criteria
1.
2.
3.
4.

The strength and quality of the related argument.

Soundness of research
Quality of writing
Overall relevance and quality of the essay

Submission Format
1. The entry code shall be of the form NASA:WAT:COLLEGE CODE:01 FOR ENTRY NO
1. Similarly for entry no 2 from a college the code would be NASA:WAT:COLLEGE
CODE:02s
2. Soft copy is to be sent by email on writingarchitecture2015@gmail.com.
3. The entry should be accompanied by a letter from the HOD/ Principal on the
college letterhead with the name(s) of the authors and the institution.
4. Margins: 10mm on top,bottom and right;15mm on the left.
5. Font: SansSeriffont,fontsize12, 1.5 spacing between the lines
6. NASA logo shall be at bottom right of all the pages of the entry in accordance
with the NASA logo guidelines.
7. The author(s) will give a written declaration stating that the work is the original
intellectual property of the respective author and will be solely responsible and

National Association of Students of Architecture

Writing Architecture Trophy 2015 - 16
(Re)evolution

WRITING ARCHITECTURE TROPHY 2015 -16

liable in case the work has violated any copyrighted material, and if any matter
is sourced from anywhere,due acknowledgement has to be given.
8. All entries will be the property of NASA INDIA, which will be free to utilize the same
in any manner at anytime,during or after the NASA WRITING ARCHITECTURE
TROPHY competition period,and the original author will have no claim on the
same after the entry is sent for the said competition.

1. Dates and schedule

1. Last date of submission: 5:00pm, 25th December, 2015
2. Last date to raise queries:7th November, 2015

National Association of Students of Architecture

Writing Architecture Trophy 2015 - 16
(Re)evolution