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A monthly VK Group newsletter, where we share our recent activities 

and keep you updated on the latest discussions in the world of built environment design

- March 2024 -

VK:e wins National Ice Box Challenge - Delhi 2024!

If you missed out our special issue, you missed out on how the Ice Box Challenge proved the advantages of energy-efficient, high-performance buildings in a scientifically accurate and visually engaging way. 

Read it here.

Photography Contest for VK Employees

Celebrating the Women of VK

What do sparrows and women have in common?

Painting of Lesbia and her Sparrow by Edward John Poynter

The common house sparrows are not so common any more. Those unassuming yet once omnipresent birds, have traditionally thrived in close proximity to humans. Their decline in numbers, particularly in urban areas, raises alarms about the health of our ecosystems. It's not just about the loss of biodiversity; it signals that our cities and spaces are becoming less hospitable, not just to wildlife but to life in general. The factors contributing to their disappearance, such as pollution, loss of nesting sites, and scarcity of food, are direct consequences of our architectural and urban planning decisions. World Sparrow Day is a day designated to raise awareness of the house sparrow and then other common birds to urban environments, and of threats to their populations, observed on 20 March. 

The UN theme for International Women's Day 2024 was "Invest in women: Accelerate progress". The historical struggle of women for equal rights, better pay, and a voice in society has undoubtedly seen progress since its inception in the 18th century. Yet, the architectural and design field, like many others, still grapple with the underrepresentation of women, particularly in leadership roles. Many women lose faith in the profession in a culture that prevents their advancement, as evidenced by the numbers leaving. 

The absence or underrepresentation of women in any sector, especially in key positions within the architecture and design, points to systemic issues that go beyond mere statistics. It reflects a work environment that might not be fully inclusive, lacking in support structures that enable women to thrive, or perhaps not valuing diversity enough to foster it actively. Like the decline of sparrows indicating ecological imbalances, the lack of female representation can indicate a workplace or society that's not as healthy or equitable as it could be. 

Both these observations compel us to rethink our approaches to designing and practice. They urge us to create spaces that not only welcome but also support diverse forms of life. For sparrows, this could mean designing buildings and urban landscapes that include green spaces, native plants, and bird-friendly materials. For women, it means creating inclusive work environments that offer equal opportunities, support work-life balance, and acknowledge as well as address the unique challenges they face. The health of our environments, both official and constructed, can be measured by how well they support the most vulnerable among us. When we design with consideration for sparrows and women, we're not just addressing their specific needs; we're creating a foundation for healthier, more resilient, and inclusive communities.

From Awareness to Action

March has been a month of ‘awareness days’- from Wildlife and Sparrow Day to Forest and Water Day. It prompts a moment of reflection, why do we need these days? They serve as a reminder that change, especially environmental and social, often begins with awareness. Larger organisations tend to have more agency in making that change and so awareness must translate into meaningful action. While corporate social responsibility (CSR) can sometimes be dismissed as mere marketing, at VK Group, we strive to go beyond the superficial. We ask ourselves: how are we embedding social responsibility, diversity, and sustainability into the our daily operations? 

This March, as in every year, we took Women's Day not just as an occasion for celebration but as an opportunity for introspection and action. VK Group is proud of our progress towards gender parity, with women making up almost 40% of our workforce and occupying 50% of the top roles. However, we're equally aware of the unique challenges they face, balancing societal expectations with personal and professional goals. Every Women's Day, we celebrate these incredible women by organizing events aimed at supporting their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Previously, we've hosted health check-ups, music therapy sessions, and talks by inspiring women. This year, we focused on mental wellbeing, inviting experts to share insights on achieving work-life balance. 

Our commitment extends into our designs, where we strive to create inclusive spaces that go beyond basic accessibility requirements. Our approach to the Pune Smart-city Project exemplifies this philosophy, starting with detailed user profiling to ensure our designs meet the diverse needs of all citizens. By focusing on human-scale, multi-purpose designs and incorporating citizen engagement, we've been able to contribute to the project's success, demonstrating our dedication to community and inclusivity.

Sustainability is another cornerstone of our corporate philosophy. For the past five years, we've embraced the Earth Hour initiative, turning off non-essential lights and electronics in our offices for one hour on the third Friday of every month. This small act has led to a significant reduction in our carbon emissions—514.22 kgCO2e to be precise, equivalent to the emissions from burning 193 liters of diesel. Such initiatives highlight how even minor adjustments in our daily routines can contribute to a larger environmental impact. 

At VK Group, every day is an opportunity to embody the principles of social responsibility, diversity, and sustainability. We're not just building spaces; we're committed to building a better world, one day and one action at a time.

What Design Can Do (WDCD) 

Mon Oncle by Jacques Tati 

This newsletter has been edited and compiled by Ar. Athulya Ann Aby, Architectural Writer, VK Group

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