KUARC to host Prarambha’24

The Kathmandu University Architecture Club (KUARC), in collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering at Kathmandu University (KU), is set to host Prarambha’24, an architectural event on April 25 and 26 at the KU premises in Dhulikhel. “Building upon the success of previous editions, Prarambha’24 promises to be even more enriching, aiming to bridge the gap between academia and industry while promoting architectural innovation and excellence,” say the organizers.

Prarambha is an annual architecture festival designed to connect architecture students and professionals from Kathmandu University with the wider community, fostering collaboration and promoting architectural awareness. The organizers anticipate that this year’s event will have an expanded scope and attendance, with over 5,000 students and professionals expected to participate.

Leading up to Prarambha’24, several pre-events were organized as part of the main exhibition. The ‘ROOTS’ exhibition held at Panauti and the Bhaktapur mini-exhibition at Bhaktapur Durbar Square aimed to educate the general public about Nepal’s rich architectural heritage. Additionally, a rammed earth workshop offered students practical experience in traditional construction techniques, encouraging them to explore alternative building methods.

“Recognizing that a festival should also include fun, we incorporated various sports events such as cricket and marathon, along with an online musical challenge, into the pre-events of Prarambha’24,” says Kartabya Regmi, Secretary of the KUARC. “Architecture can be a hectic subject for students, so we thought that by including some engaging and enjoyable activities alongside educational events, we could better capture the interest of students and the public.”

The two-day event includes a book launch for ‘KU Archive’, panel discussions on various aspects of architecture and related issues, stalls showcasing architectural designs, an exhibition, and the announcement and prize distribution for project competition winners. There will also be food stalls and other attractions. Additionally, on the evening of April 26, there will be a musical session with performances by over 25 local and emerging singers.