An Architectural competition “Travel Unravel” finds elegant forms with inspiring designs

The architectural competition held by SqrFactor India Pvt. Ltd. in association with Shell India from 7th Nov 2018 – 25th Jan 2019 to design an innovative prototype for highway refreshment stops has seen successful completion. The Jury members were Melike Altinisk Architects from Istanbul, Ar. Akshay Heranjal and Ar.Aditi Pai from Purple Ink Studio, Bengaluru. The Travel Unravel competition launched to find fresh ideas and innovative designers to provide solutions for a highway rest stop with an area of 3 acres of 1 acre to be left for filling station untouched. Where some passengers find traffic every day in the cities, some are consumed by wanderlust and opt for India’s highway road networks — they find scenic routes all over the country where the geographical diversity adds to the beauty. Steady development in road networks has compelled the average urban wanderers to frequent longer, lovelier routes.The brief given to the competitors was to design the ideal contemporary highway rest stop that is functional, enduring and aesthetical. The winners were selected on the basis of user experience, to facilitate a stop serving every kind of customer and their needs. A design that could rebrand the identity of highway rest stops — a highway that not only provides basic activities like vehicle refilling, resting, freshening up and eating, but also ensures optimum efficiency. The purpose is to provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users making it easier for them and their vehicles to move through comfortably. The competition results were announced on 25th Feb 2019 as follows:Ist Prize – Tiago Santos and Carolina Matos from Portugal IInd Prize – Nivetha Ravimanickam, Mohamed Ashik and Krishna Kumar from IndiaIIIrd Prize– Ruthvik Sai, Ankith K and Jayanaveenaa Periyasamy from IndiaBest Student design entry Award– Kirat Kohli and Param Gala from IndiaBest Young Architect design entry Award – Lars Hinrichs and Maximila Ott from GermanyThe People’s Choice Award – Ganesh Napeli, Ain Ul Haq Punekar and Faizaan Mulla from India