As is often the case, our students impress us with intriguing hobbies that have led them on the most incredible and inspirational journeys. Ben Bansal from Germany is one such student. His love of architecture as well as Asia, took him to the fascinating city of Yangon, Myanmar to document the city’s architecture as a way to better understand its history and current affairs. His Brown-bag session at GRIPS on Wednesday 27th January followed the official launch of the book which took place in Yangon earlier in the month.

The book features 110 buildings from all periods of Myanmar – pre-colonial, colonial, post-independence to the present, capturing the energy of a city in the midst of rapid change. Bansal’s book which he co-wrote with friends Manuel Oka (architect and photographer) and Elliott Fox (communications and advocacy specialist) offers a mix of architectural commentary, urban history, and excellent photography and is essential reading for anyone interested in Yangon and Myanmar, not “just” architecture enthusiasts.

In the presentation, Ben took fellow students through the logistical side of creating such a publication, as well as giving a commentary on the motivation of the two year project. A copy of the book is available in the GRIPS library. For all those interested in purchasing it, it is going to be available in Japan (e.g. on Amazon) over the coming weeks.

The next Brown-bag lunch presentation is to be held on 18 February – given by Ms. Huyen Minh Nguyen on the country of Vietnam.

Article by GRIPS Public Relations