Pune: VK Group to Host ‘VKollective: Building the City We Call Home’ Exhibition from February 21 to 23
Pune, 14th February 2025: On the occasion of its 51st anniversary, Pune-based VK Group, known for its significant contributions to architecture, interior design, environmental consultancy, urban planning, and policy, is organizing a three-day exhibition titled ‘VKollective’ on the theme ‘Building the City We Call Home: Making Pune Better by Design’ from February 21 to 23, 2025. The exhibition will showcase VK Group’s innovative and performative architectural designs from the past 50 years. VKollective also aims to facilitate conversations, encourage the exchange of ideas, and provide an opportunity to discover how thoughtful design creates meaning and drives change through panel discussions and workshops. It will be open to all Punekars free of charge at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Sanskrutik Kendra, Ghole Road, Pune.
Sharing details at a press conference, VK Group’s founder, Ar. Vishwas Kulkarni announced that the event will highlight the firm’s contributions, ranging from the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple and the Green Butterfly Hill Station in Lonavala to Saudi Arabia’s ‘The Line’ Metro City, along with various townships and government projects across India and abroad. Managing Director Ar. Hrishikesh Kulkarni, Directors Ar. Anagha Paranjape-Purohit, Mrs. Apoorva Kulkarni, and other office bearers attended the press conference.
The exhibition will be inaugurated on Friday, February 21, at 3 PM at the hands of Hon. Revenue Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Chandrashekhar Bawankule, followed by his inaugural address. Hon. Minister of State for Urban Development, Smt. Madhuri Misal and Hon. Member of Legislative Assembly, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri Siddharth Shirole, will also deliver talks.
Recognizing the contributions of distinguished individuals who have played a pivotal role in making Pune a hub of opportunity, the event will also honor “Leaders of Change”—visionaries who have shaped the city’s economic growth and progress. These will be presented to: Satish Magar, a pioneer in inclusive integrated township development through Magarpatta township; Pramod Rawat, Chairman of the 125+ year-old Deccan Education Society; Saurabh Gadgil, MD of PNG Jewellers, one of Maharashtra’s oldest and most reputed jewelry brands; Mukund Sangoram, Secretary of the Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, a symbol of Pune’s cultural heritage.
This will be followed by a panel discussion on ‘Building the City of Tomorrow’ at 6:15 pm featuring: Ranjit Naiknavare (President, CREDAI), Rajiv Mishra (Principal, Sir J.J. College of Architecture), Vikas Achalkar (Chairman, Indian Institute of Architects, Pune Chapter). He mentioned that the first day’s events will close with a special screening of the ‘London Olympic Park’ documentary.
Ar. Anagha Paranjape Purohit said, “On the second day, 22nd Feb, Saturday, 2:30 pm to 8 pm, key sessions include: Architectural Illustration Workshop by Shweta Santosh Hingane (The.Archart), ‘Sustainable Cities & Dynamic Urban Planning Tools’ by Utpal Kumar Sharma (Director, Nirma University) & ‘Town Planning Schemes – Effective Urban Planning Models for Livable Communities’ by Vijay Sane (Director, VK Group). A panel discussion on ‘Community-led Heritage Initiatives’ will feature: Jayesh Paranjape (Founder, Western Routes), Gayatri Godse (Urban Sketchers), Shardul Kadam (Founder, Amuk Tamuk), Yashoda Joshi (Architect c/o Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav) and Sameer Belvalkar (Publisher, ‘Aisi Akshare’ Magazine). The second day will close with a musical concert by Reeshabh Purohit & Band.”
On the third day, 23rd Feb, Sunday, from 3 pm to 8 pm discussions will focus on Data-driven urbanization and speakers include: Abhishek Kiran Gupta (CEO & Co-founder of CRE Matrix) & Ar. Rahul Vaidya (Senior Director, Alternatives, JLL India). Thought Leadership Talks will be delivered by Shri Brijesh Dixit, former MD of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., and Shri Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary of the Smart Cities Mission, focusing on urban mobility and the future of smart cities. The event will also feature an award ceremony for the ‘City Reels’ competition, he added.
With a focus on smart and sustainable urban development, this exhibition will be a golden opportunity for Punekars to witness architectural innovation and urban planning excellence. Whether you are a student, a young professional, or an industry leader in the AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) field this exhibition offers an opportunity to engage with Pune’s evolving design narrative and explore the future urban development, mentioned Mrs. Apoorva Kulkarni.
