Pune: Stressing the growing role of architects in nation-building, Ar. Vilas Avachat said professionals in architecture and engineering are central to shaping modern infrastructure and urban development. Vilas Avachat was the chief guest at the 31st annual AESA Awards, organised by the Architects, Engineers and Surveyors Association (AESA), in the city.
“With infrastructure and construction sectors expanding rapidly, architects are making significant contributions. Engineers and architects are together giving the country a new shape. With evolving technologies, executing competitive and complex projects has become easier,” he said, urging professionals to adopt emerging tools such as artificial intelligence.
The awards ceremony was held at Sheraton Grand Pune. Among those present was AESA President Ar. Rajiv Raje, Chairman Ar. Mahesh Bangad, Convenor of the awards, Er. Parag Lakade, and representatives from the B. G. Shirke Group, including R. B. Suryawanshi, Vice Chairman, Y. P. Kajale, Director, and B. P. Kulkarni, Sr. Vice President. On the occasion, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between BNCA and the AESA for a postgraduate diploma in Built Environment, which was signed by Ar Rajiv Raje and Dr. Anurag Kashyap.
Ar. Avachat noted that AESA has, over the past 55 years, brought together architects, engineers, and surveyors on a common platform. “When professionals collaborate, there is no distinction between big and small projects. India is set to witness large-scale development in the coming decades, and we have the opportunity to be active participants in that journey,” he said.
Awards were presented across categories recognising architectural excellence. Pankaj Bhagwatkar received the ‘Rohan Young Achievers Award’. Tushar Kothawade was recognised for a granthalay project outside Pune. Among major winners, Hemant Shantaram Mahajan was honoured for the PYC Hindu Gymkhana Vinchurkar Pavilion in the non-residential public and cultural buildings category, and also featured among winners in the residential multi-tenement segment. Sourabh Malpani was awarded for ‘A Villa in Pune’, while Pooja Chaphalkar and Abhishek Aher were recognised for their residential projects. Other awardees included Dhairyasheel Powar and Maheshwari Developers in the multi-tenement category, Vikas Achalkar for the Mont Claire commercial project, and Shirish Kembhavi for the National Film Archives of India project in the institutional category. The KSB Limited administrative building by Architects United was also recognised in the industrial buildings and campuses category.
Ar. Mahesh Bangad delivered the welcome address, while Ar. Rajiv Raje shared the opening remarks. The event was anchored by Ar. Aloka Kale and concluded with a vote of thanks by Er. Parag Lakade.
