Feste Grenland AS - on their return from field work at Chauntra, Himachal Pradesh, made presentations on various topics that included –
• Site analyses examples from Tibet, South India and Bhutan. Draft site analyses for Chauntra, Himachal Pradesh.
• Site analyses / planning and cultural context, examples from Seljord og Sogene, Norway.
• Presentation of the project 'A sense of Place' - Porsgrunn, Norway
• Transformation of places.
Feste Grenland, is mostly known in Norway in connection with the site analyses of Gardermoen Oslo Airport. The company has however also over decades built up a solid competence in working with medical institutions. Further, Feste Grenland has been involved in ‘life style’ topics in connection with the Himalayan region, especially connected to the Tibetan and Bhutan cultures.
The participants of the seminar included experts from Delhi School of Planning and Architecture, editors of Indian architect magazines and other relevant people in the field of architecture, landscaping, planning, art in public spaces.
Background
The Norwegian landscapers, Feste Grenland, has received economic support from the Embassy to undertake a site analyses prior to the construction of the new medical univeristy in Men Tsee Khang.
In 2004 Feste Grenland Ltd was engaged in upgrading the areas around the old Tibetan hospital in Dharamsala. This job was done with little external funding and excecuted on the philosophy ‘explore, and use the possibilities that are available on site’.
The company has done research on Tibetan construction and landscaping inside Tibet as well as in settlements in South India. Feste Grenland has over several years built up a certain competency in both Tibetan and Bhutan construction traditions. This is the background for Feste being approached and invited by The Men Tsee Khang to do the job in connection with the new hospital.
Feste Grenland hosted a small group of Indian Architects and scholars on a visit to Porsgrunn, Norway last year.