Providing holistic design expertise to top developers

India's first high-end niche mall recently opened in Bangalore, a city which is rapidly becoming one of the most sought after destinations for global financial and retail giants. The growth in the Indian economy and the country's vast middle class with its expanding purchasing power are increasingly attracting international retail investors wanting to enter newer markets.

The mall at UB City is known as UB City: The Collection. It is a joint venture between the Prestige Group and Vijay Mallya, CEO and owner of UB Holdings, to create the country's first luxury speciality mall. The exclusive destination forms part of the prestigious UB City development that is situated in the most affluent part of Bangalore. The 193 752 sq ft GBA (60 000m2) UB City is a landmark mixed-use development consisting of commercial offices, a five-star hotel, banks, serviced apartments, food courts, exclusive high-end retail outlets, health clubs, cafes, restaurants and extensive parking facilities. On completion UB City will be one of the most dynamic, cosmopolitan and multicultural developments in India. Bangalore is an important commercial centre and the development is expected to considerably enhance the city's business and tourism infrastructure.

Bringing global perspectives and expertise to India's commercial built environment

South Africa, Johannesburg – October 2008: Over the last five years commercial design specialists, Bentel Associates International (BAI) has established a significant footprint in the Indian commercial built environment where the company currently has over 50 projects in various stages of design or construction.

'So I was in the middle of a revolution, when the phone rang': This is how Pancho Guedes describes the moment in time when he stepped out of Mozambique and into Johannesburg. Invited to become the Head of the Department of Architecture at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), the evolution of 25th April 1974 does not so much change his work, as it does his life. The hiatus between what went on before and what comes after, could hardly be more pronounced for the architect who had 'built enough buildings to fill a small city' in Mozambique.

Invitation to the first annual reunion of alumni of the School of Architecture and Planning at Wits.

This year we emphasise all those who studied in the School during Pancho Guedes’s term as professor of architecture, 1975-1995 – and ALL are welcome.

The event takes place at Museum Africa in Newtown, Johannesburg, on Saturday 27 September 2008 at 11h30.

After some short expressions of celebration Pancho will lead a walkabout of the exhibition of his work – ‘an alternative modernist’ – which includes architecture, urban design, urban planning intervention, craft, art and more – a light lunch will be available.

We would appreciate knowing if you are able to make it and a reply to Sarika.munnie*wits.ac.za will help with estimating numbers!