The Annual NASA Design Competition 2003

Introduction

The Annual NASA Design Competition (2003), hosted by the Department of Architecture, B.I.T Mesra, invited students to participate in a design challenge deeply rooted in India’s socio-political landscape. The brief reflected the nation’s evolving identity at the turn of the century, with the creation of new states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand following earlier state reorganizations such as Punjab and Haryana.

At the heart of the brief was the idea of Jharkhand, a newly formed state rich in culture, history, and natural resources. Ranchi, as its capital, required an architectural identity—one that could symbolically represent governance while resonating with the region’s traditions, aspirations, and ecological sensibilities.

The Design Brief

Participants were asked to propose a conceptual design scheme for the capital complex of Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand. The scheme was expected to include essential government buildings:

• The Assembly (for 55 MLAs),

• The Secretariat,

• The High Court,

• And other supporting built masses necessary for governance.

The challenge was not just about form-making but about creating a progressive architectural expression. The design was to embody the evolutionary journey of Indian building traditions, while also reflecting Jharkhand’s history and adapting to its climatological principles.

Objectives & Guidelines

The competition emphasized not only design excellence but also urban responsibility. The key objectives included:

1. Cohesion in Urban Fabric

   • Recognizing that Jharkhand’s urban patterns were fragmented—scattered housing zones and isolated public sector organizations—the design was expected to bring coherence, promoting an ideal vision of urban integration.

2. Balanced Development

   • The scheme needed to avoid over-concentration of population and resources in one area. Instead, it had to prevent draining away dynamic elements from the region, ensuring balance and sustainability.

3. Core Attributes

   • The proposals were to demonstrate:

     • Imageability – the ability to create a strong symbolic and visual identity.

     • Efficiency – functional clarity in supporting governance.

     • Flexibility – adaptability for future growth and evolution.

A Landmark for the Future

Through this competition, NASA India encouraged students to think beyond aesthetics and functionality, and instead engage with nation-building through architecture. The brief positioned the capital complex as a cultural and political landmark, retaining Jharkhand’s identity while setting a vision for its future.

By fusing tradition with progress, and local context with modern governance needs, the Annual NASA Design Competition 2003 was not merely an academic exercise—it was an attempt to shape the architectural language of India’s newest state.