With
Diploma in Architecture from CEPT, Ahmedabad,1978, she
did courses in Urban Settlement Design with training in
ceramics & offset printing at MIT, Cambridge in 1975.
She pursued courses on Alternative Technologies &
use of Solar Energies at Arcosanti & Cosanti Foundations
with architect philosopher Paolo Soleri, Arizona. She
completed Landscape Design course of CEPT in 1984. She
is a Partner of Abhikram, a Planning, Architecture, Conservation
& Interior Consultancy firm in Ahmedabad, established
in 1979. She received the 'JIIA Award for Excellence in
Architecture for Institutional Buildings', 1993, 'JIIA-KITPLY
Conservation Award', 1994 & also the 'Fellowship of
Chicago Cultural Centre' in 1995.
The
client, a hotel chain owned by the Maharaja of Mewar,
wanted to expand and upgrade an existing hotel leased
by the group into an up-market 25 room resort. The brief
included a component of service upgradation
as well as a design process that would respond to the
rocky terrain of Kumbhalgadh. The design attempted to
upgrade and add facilities
without disturbing the serenity and tranquility of the
surrounding, using local material,
technologies
and craftsmanship.
The construction technology responded to the
local materials by evolving a composite masonry
wall construction of local stone, with brick
face wherever required, to facilitate the integration
of modern services.The design process also took
into consideration, the rich craft heritage.
Only
basic drawings were prepared, leaving room for
improvisation for appropriate response to site
conditions, by architects and the master craftsman.
All decisions were taken jointly with the client,
during their 2 day stay at the site, almost
every week over a 6-8 month period.
The use of traditional materials and local craftsmen
proved to be economical, congruent and convenient
in an isolated spot like Kumbhalgadh. It also
gave the product a quality
of timelessness.
