REDDY HOUSE 2008 PROJECT INFORMATION Client: Mr. Laxman Reddy Year: 2008 Location: Kovalam, ECR Road Typology: Residence Team: Arusha Shridhar, Mona Doctor-Pingel Contractor: Mohan Constructions Photo Credits: Jones The house is designed to respond to and engage with the garden , the ocean view and the sky . The coastal location on Bay of Bengal dictates most features of the house - raised plinth to capitalize on the beautiful view of the sea, courtyard to help regulate the indoor climate with main openings towards the east, large roof cantilevers to keep out the sun and the heavy monsoon rains , and open floor plan (kitchen - living – dining). The client an ex-pilot (Indian Air Force) wanted the kitchen to be heart of the house as he loves to cook. The 'A'-frame saddle tile roof uses precast concrete rafters cast on the site to create a termite-proof shelter , reducing the use of tropical timber while providing good thermal insulation ensures that the sun does not heat up the room. Flooring throughout the house is in natural stone (rough green cuddapah ). The large bio-pond towards the living, dining and kitchen areas is a naturally maintained ecosystem with plants, snails and fish. To read more about the project, see article. BACK TO PROJECTS

MORNING STAR BIRTHING CENTER 2026 PROJECT INFORMATION Client: Paula, Murphy Typology: Birthing Center Location: Near Sante, Auroville Site Area: 1440 m2 Built Up Area: 507 m2 Costing: 2.14 Cr. (Estimated) _ 42000 / m2 Architecture: Mona Doctor- Pingel, Keerthana A., Foram Jani, Shrey Narigara, Divy Jajodia, Timeline: Design Beginning: Nov 2022 | Start of Construction : Oct 2024 | Ongoing: (as of 09.12.25) KEY Features: Vaults and Domes in brick | Womblike Domes | Central & Personal Courtyards PROJECT DESCRIPTION Morning star is a center for training, education and research on Birthing, maternity and women wellbeing. It is a place for Women and girls, pregnant women during their period of pregnancy, birthing and post pregnancy. To us the main design consideration was on how to create a space with utmost feeling of privacy (visual and acoustic), security and a sense of wellbeing for women. The birth center is perceived with intimate spaces for women along with multiple courtyards. The underlined concept of designing with arches and flat domes in exposed brick is to create a cocoon like space which is warm and inviting. Multiple private court yards are introduced in order to give access to open spaces. There is easy accessibility to all the rooms through the central courtyard. The design approach was to delineate the building into three parts - the private, semi private and public. The toilets, utility and other services were used to create buffers between the private and public zone. The design does not only focus on the act of birthing but also celebrates the entire process of pregnancy, child birth, women care, education and research programs. The birth center is conceived with the needs of Auroville resident population in mind. The average number of births is between 10 and 15 per year. The main functional spaces include: 1) Two birthing rooms with private courtyards and one with a birthing pool; 2) A onsultation/ gynecology room and a mid- wife office; 3) A spacious multipurpose hall on the first floor for prenatal classes, yoga etc; 4) A family waiting area with kitchenette placed near the entrance. BACK TO PROJECTS

HOME ABOUT PROJECTS RESEARCH ACADEMICS RECOGNITION TEAM CONTACT Search Results Mona Doctor-Pingel Principal Architect After her graduation in Architecture from School of Architecture, CEPT University, Ahmedabad, Mona worked in Auroville for two years with architect Poppo Pingel, before moving to Germany for her Masters in Appropriate Technology as a DAAD scholar. There she was introduced to Baubiologie (Building Biology), the science of holistic interactions between life and living environment. She also had a chance to learn earthen dome construction techniques from German architect Gernot Minke, at Kassel University. Since 1995 Mona has her independent practice, Studio Naqshbandi, based in Auroville where she lives and works. Rooted in the essence and philosophy of Auroville, her Studio offers a holistic approach to the science of building by using biologically enhancing and environmentally friendly building technologies which are rooted in the local context of climate and culture. Working with architecture, interior design and landscaping simultaneously on every project allows the studio team to enhance the sensory experience through the built form and create a space that responds to the surroundings, bringing in Nature and a sense of wellbeing. Her current field of exploration also includes teaching, writing and research. Research: From 2012-17, under the umbrella of Auroville Center for Scientific Research (CSR), she has been part of a 5-year joint research project funded by Indian and American governments as part of the Obama-Singh Treaty headed by CEPT, Ahmedabad and LBNL, Berkeley on Energy Efficiency in Buildings. As part of this consortium of 10 eminent institutions, Studio Naqshbandi data logged 7 naturally ventilated buildings for the warm humid zone in and around Pondicherry for one year. The results of this research are published in scientific journals such as Elsevier’s Building and Environment and Elsevier Encyclopaedia of Sustainable materials. Publications: She is the author two books on the works of Poppo Pingel and Piero & Gloria Cicionesi as part of the Series of Monographs on Auroville Architects, published by Mapin publishers in 2012 and 2018. Academics: Currently she is Adjunct faculty at Europa University’s Environment and Energy management (EEM) Masters program at Flensburg where she co-teaches a course on Rational Use of Energy with Prof Wulf Boie. She has been visiting faculty at CARE school of architecture at Trichy and MIDAS, MARG Swarnabhoomi, Tamilnadu. She has been joint secretary of the Planning Team at L’Avenir d’Auroville/ Town Development Council, which is the official body for guiding the development and planning of Auroville, from 2010- 2012. Mona is President of ANGIRAS - a registered NGO for Indian Alumni from German Universities working towards sustainable solutions, since 2011. She is a registered architect with COA, Indian Council of Architecture, a fellow of IIA, Indian Institute of Architects and Life member of IIID, Indian Institute of Interior Design. She has written on the architectural practices of Auroville for journals and other publications and her work has been published in several Indian and German magazines and has won several awards NAQSHBANDI FAMILY, AUGUST 2021 CURRENT TEAM Foram Jani Architect Foram joined Studio Naqshbandi in September, 2025. She finished bachelors at MSU, Vadodara in 2023 and has 2 years of work experience. Soundarya Aramugam Architect Soundarya studied architecture at CARE school of Architecture, Trichy and has 3 years of work experience. She is currently doing her PhD and working part time with Studio Naqshbandi. Devanshu Sarwa Architect Devanshu Sarwa joined Studio Naqshbandi in May, 2026. He completed his Bachelor’s in Architecture from Apex School of Architecture in 2024 and has 2 years of work experience. Nikhil Kamtam Collaborator Nikhilkumar Kamtam studied architecture at the School of Architecture, SMVDU, Jammu, and has over ten years of professional experience in Auroville. He is currently collaborating with the studio on multiple projects. Abhirami Intern Abhirami M S joined Studio Naqshbandi in June 2026. She is currently a fourth-year Architecture student at Avani Institute of Design, Kerala. Anjalakshmi Amma Caretaker Ever smiling and always eager to help; Anjlakshmi is the caretaker of Studio Naqshbandi. Hriday Intern Hriday is a fifth year student from SMEF's BRICK School of Architecture, Pune who joined for his internship in June 2026 Mocca Mocca was born in Auroville, is 8 years old, self-taught, cookie lover. COLLABORATORS Madhivanan Gnanavel Landscape Designer Madhivanan is born in Auroville and worked 4 years as Junior Architect with Studio Naqshbandi. He earned his degree at McGan'S Ooty School of Architecture, 2018. Shrishti Dangi Visual Artist Studied at International Visual Art School, Last School, Auroville (2009). She is currently collaborating with the studio for Temple Tree retreat Extension and SAIL. Online presence: Behance, Instagram Mohan Ayynarppan Contractor Self taught from Alankuppam Village, constructed projects including Cottage Showroom, Fish House, Studio Naqshbandi and Temple Tree Retreat. Rene Janssen Building Biology Consultant Rene Janssen is an electrical engineer and Building Biology consultant from the Netherlands. He is living in Auroville since 2004 and is involved in various construction projects which promote sustainable building solutions and social well being. In 2014 he founded the Centre for Building Biology in Auroville, with the aim to bring this needed science to a wider audience in India. Prakash Raj Model Maker Prakash Raj is a professional model maker from Auroville. He is self taught and has worked extensively with us on several projects. Key project models include Cottage Showroom, UTSAV and Kalpana Apartments.(Unbuilt). Tushita Gandhi Interior Designer Tushita assists in the interior designing and execution of several projects of the Studio. She earned her degree at APIED, Vallabh Vidya Nagar in 2000. Baskar Contractor Self-taught, Aurovillian, constructed projects including Elizabeth House, currently constructing Utsav mixed-use development. Vinayagam Contractor Self-taught, Aurovillian, constructed projects including White Peacock and Aikido Dojo. Puneet Brar Ceramist Puneet Brar is a ceramist based in Auroville. She studied Ceramic Design from the National Institute of Design and Art Ceramic Atelier De la Rue, France. Her studio Windglaze studio pottery is a design led ceramic studio that has been producing functional and decorative objects and art pieces for the international market for over two decades. Late Arusha Shridhar Drouin Architect Arusha had worked on several of the studio's major projects from 2007-2012. She earned her degree at BNCA, Pune, 2001. NAQSHBANDI FAMILY Name | Role | School | Period of work at Studio Naqshbandi Sujal Doshi | Architectural Intern I Malviya National Institute of technology, Jaipur I December 2025 - April 2026 Dhruv Gupta | Architectural Intern I Thakur School of Architecture, Mumbai I November 2025 - January 2026 James Ogetonto | Architectural Intern I SAL School of Architecture, Ahmedabad I June 2024 - November 2025 Shrey Narigara | Architectural Intern I Indubhai Parekh School Of Architecture, Rajkot I May 2024 - November 2025 Priyansh Vyas | Architectural Intern I Ganpat University, Mehasna I December 2024 - March 2025 Harshitha Pannala | Architect | Maestro School Of Planning & Architecture | July 2024 - November 2024 Divy Jajodia | Architectural Intern | Nirma University | July 2024 - December 2024 Drashti Nadoda | Architectural Intern | Nirma University | July 2024 - December 2024 Jahanvi Tripathi | Interior Architecture Intern | Indian Institute of Art and Design, Delhi | June 2024 - September 2024 Sanjithi Meda | Design Intern | Srishti Manipal Institute of Art Design and technology | May 2024 - July 2024 Yash Indane | Architectural Intern | School of planning and Architecture, Bhopal | December 2023 - June 2024 Sheel Mutha | Architectural Intern | Navrachana University , Vadodara| December 2023 - June 2024 Swetha Prakash | Architect | Rajalakshmi College of Architecture, Chennai | July 2023 - February 2024 Mathangi M . | Architectural Intern | CEPT University, Ahmedabad | July 2023 - December 2023 Rishabh Falodia | Architectural Intern | Nirma University | July 2023 - December 2023 Urmi Godasara l Architectural Intern | APIED College, Anand | October 2023 - December 2023 Lipi Maun l Architectural Intern | Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, Manipal | January 2023 - June 2023 Mihir R. Desai l Architect | Aditya College of Architecture, Mumbai | August 2021 - June 2023 Keerthana Arun l Architect | C.A.R.E School of Architecture | July 2022 - July 2023 Shrinivas Tele l Architectural Intern | CTES College of Architecture, Chembur | January 2023 - May 2023 Ganesh S. l Architect | VIT University, Vellore | January 2022 - January 2023 Naga Sai Santhan l Architectural Intern | CEPT University, Ahmedabad | June 2022 - December 2022 Narmadha l Project Manager | Annamalai University, Chidambaram | January 2021 - December 2022 Krishi Jhaveri l Interior Design Intern | CEPT University, Ahmedabad | January 2022 - June 2022 Madhivanan Gnanavel l Architect & Landscape Designer | McGan'S Ooty School of Architecture | August 2018 - June 2022 Maitri Shah l Architectural Intern | Navrachana University, Baroda | December 2021 - June 2022 Pavni Porwal l Interior Design Intern | CEPT University, Ahmedabad | July 2021 - December 2021 Priyanka Salunkhe l Architectural Intern | CEPT University, Ahmedabad | June 2021 - December 2021 Mathura Maathangi l Architect | VIT University, Vellore | February 2021 - November 2021 Ridho Cairns | Architect | University of Melbourne, Australia | September 2019 - August 2021 Abinaya Varshni | Architectural Intern | Wadiyar Centre For Architecture, Mysore | March 2021 - August 2021 Shyambhavi Shukla | Interior Design Intern | CEPT University, Ahmedabad | December 2020 - July 2021 Almitra Roosevelt | Architectural Intern | CEPT University, Ahmedabad | December 2020 - July 2021 Ralph Sequeira | Architect | MIET, Gondia | March 2019 - March 2021 Abishek P | Architectural Intern | CEPT University, Ahmedabad | June – December 2020 | June - July 2023 Ibn Talib | Architect | John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto | July - September 2020 Geetika Tyagi | Architectural Intern | AIT School Of Architecture & Planning, Greater Noida | January - August 2020 Saloni Mahajan | Interior Design Intern | SID, CEPT, Ahmedabad | September - December 2019 Renuka Gupta | Architectural Intern | MBS School of Planning and Architecture | Delhi, August 2019 - April 2020 Shaan Lyngdoh Lakshmanan | Architectural Intern | Syracuse University, United States of America | July - August 2019 Henrik Dutz | Architect | TU Dresden, Germany | December - March 2019 Abhishek K. Ramesh | Architectural Intern | CMRU School Of Architecture, Bengaluru | July 2018 - Jan 2019 Anshul Rathore | Architectural Intern | IIT, Roorkee | February - July 2018 Aakansha Jain | Architectural Intern | Manipal University | April 2017 - May 2018 Vishnu Vardhan | Research Engineer | VIT Mechanical Engineering,Vellore | November 2017 - November 2018 Nancy Agarwal | Architect | RV College, Bengaluru | September 2017 - September 2019 Nitya Kalyanaraman | Architectural Intern | Sushant School of Art and Architecture | Gurugram, June 2017 - November 2017 Ines Dahl | Architectural Intern| ETSAM Madrid / CEPT, Ahmedabad | June - July 2017 Divij Bhardwaj Architect | MNIT, Jaipur | April - May 2017 Ipsita Mallick | Architectural Intern | Balwant Sheth School of Architecture, NMIMS, Mumbai | February - Sept 2017 Roshita Sudhir | Architect | NIT Trichy | December 2016 - June 2019 Sukirth Gowder | Architect | SAP, Anna University, Chennai | December 2016 - May 2017 Yann Robichon | Research Engineer | ESIROI, Reunion Island | August - September 2016 Malvika Singh | Interior Design Intern | SID, CEPT, Ahmedabad | June - December 2016 Nehaa Bhavaraju | Architect | NIT Trichy | February - December 2016 Chandana Reddy | Architect | SAP, Chennai | January - December 2016 Pratha Bhagat | Architectural Intern | Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies | Mumbai, November 2015 - April 2016 Akash Puthuparambil | Architect | Kerala | August 2015-March 2016 Anant Mairal | Architectural Intern | National Institute of Technology | Raipur, June 2015- April 2016 Tanushree Charan | Construction Intern | SBST, CEPT, Ahmedabad | June - July 2015 Melina Wiedera | Interior Designer | HfT Stuttgart, Germany | June - July 2015 Hugo Lavocat | Research Engineer | ESIROI, Reunion Island | May - August 2015 Eleanor Figueiredo | Architect | Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, United Kingdom | May - June 2015 Suraj Dwivedi | Junior Architect | College of Architecture, SVIT, Vasad | December 2013 - May 2014 Ana Antunes | Architect | Porto School of Architecture, Portugal | August - September 2014 & February 2015 Aashna Agarwal | Architecture Intern | CEPT, Ahmedabad | June - December 2014 Pankti Mehta | Architecture Intern | Navrachana University, Vadodara | June - December 2014 Aanchal Subbaiah | Architecture Intern | RV College of Architecture, Bengaluru | March - May 2014 Darpan Arora | Architectural Intern | College of Architecture, SVIT, Vasad | February 2014 - January 2015 Anjali Ramachandran | Architecture Intern | School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Mysuru | November 2013 - May 2014 Anna Alma Bakhlina | Architect | Moscow Institute of Architecture MARKHI , Russia and KTH, Sweden | November 2012 - August 2014 S. Kishore Rajaram | Architecture Intern | Architectural Intern | SAP Anna University, Chennai | Dec 2012 - May 2013 Niharika Sanyal | Architecture Intern | SA, CEPT, Ahmedabad | May 2012 - Jan 2013 Parth Pandya | Interior Design Intern | SID, CEPT, Ahmedabad | June - December 2012 Rakesh N.M. | Architect | Manipal University | December 2011 - June 2012 Sachin Patil | Architect | Sir J. J. College of Architecture, Mumbai | June - December 2011 Kriti Gupta | Interior Design Intern | SID, CEPT, Ahmedabad | May - Dec 2011 Tejal Bafna | Architect | Academy Of Architecture, Mumbai | March - May 2011 Ojas Vyas | Architect | IPSA, Rajkot | January 2011 - January 2012 Sonam P. Kesarkar | Interior Designer | BNCA, Pune | January 2010 - January 2011 Sindhu Gopal | Architecture Intern | SRM University, Kattankulathur | July 2010 - January 2011 Shashank Achanthodi | Architecture Intern | NIT Trichy | June - December 2010 Annam Vaishnavi | Architect | CSI Institute of Technology, School Of Planning & Architecture, Secunderabad | June - December 2010 Sneha Bakshi | Academy Of Architecture, Mumbai | March - June 2010 Deepti Gangwal | Planning Intern | SP, CEPT, Ahmedabad | May - June 2010 Kaushal Jajoo | Planning Intern | SP, CEPT, Ahmedabad | May - June 2010 Swastika Mukherjee | Architecture Intern | Aayojan School of Architecture, Jaipur | January - June 2010 Prakash Raj | Architect and Model Maker | Self taught | October 2009 - January 2010; February 2016 - Present Nidhi Dixit | Architecture Intern | University of Mumbai | December 2008 - March 2009 Joana Marques | Architect | Porto School of Architecture, Portugal | August - September 2009 Kanika Puri | Interior Design Intern | SID, CEPT, Ahmedabad, | May - August 2009 Akshaya L.N. | Architecture Intern | TVB School of Habitat Studies, Delhi | July - December 2009 Marcia Oliviera | Architect | Porto School of Architecture, Portugal | March - October 2009 Noble George | Architecture Intern | Sarvajanik College of Engineering & Technology, Surat | August - December 2008 Abhiruchi Anand | Interior Design Intern | SID, CEPT, Ahmedabad | May - November 2008 Venu Sivan | Architecture Intern | College of Engineering Trivandrum | June 2007 - January 2008 Tushita Gandhi | Interior Designer | APIED, Vallabh Vidyanagar | 2006 - 2009 Vishal Chudgar | Architect | APIED, Vallabh Vidyanagar | June - October 2007 Nithya E. J. | Architecture Intern | College of Engineering Trivandrum, | April - June 2007 Aamir | Architecture Intern | University of Lucknow | August - December 2004 Garima | Architecture Intern | University of Lucknow | August - December 2004 Pallavi Gopalkrishnan | Architecture Intern | B. M. S. College of Engineering | March - June 2003 Samir | Architecture Intern| Sarvajanik College of Engineering & Technology Surat | July - November 2002 Deval Gandhi | Architect | School of Architecture, CEPT, Ahmedabad | June 2000 - April 2001 Amorette Pereira | Architecture Intern | BNCA, Pune | January - April 2000 Arusha Shridhar | Architect | BNCA, Pune | January - April 2000 Batul Raaj | Architecture Intern | SA, CEPT, Ahmedabad | June - December 1995 Kanal Shah | Architect | MSU, Vadodara | June - December 1995

STUDIO NAQSHBANDI 2008 PROJECT INFORMATION Client: Mona Doctor-Pingel Year: 2008 Location: Auroville Typology: Commercial Site Area: 485 square meter Built Up Area: 110 square meter Principal Architect: Mona Doctor-Pingel The studio is located within the community of ‘Yantra’ (4,500 square meter plot area), a project designed and built by Studio Naqshbandi (1995-2008). A glimpse of the workspace is enough to justify it as a Temple for Working. The studio rooted in the essence and philosophy of Auroville; offers Architecture , Interior design and Landscaping services for each project, designing a building or a space in its entirety. The studio respects the existing contours and indigenous trees on the site. Being situated in the industrial zone of the city, Yantra was started in 1996 as a pilot project integrating small non-polluting workshops, residences and offices , setting an example that “industrial zone” does not necessarily imply cold, gray, flat structures which are dead after 5:00 pm. To read more about the project, see article . BACK TO PROJECTS

COTTAGE SHOWROOM 2019 PROJECT INFORMATION Client: Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust Year: 2014-2019 Location: Pondicherry Site Area: 110 m² Built Up Area: 205 m² Typology: Boutique Showroom Team: Melina Wiedera, Ana Antunes, Prakash Raj, Chandana Reddy, Mona Doctor-Pingel. Structure: Ramaradjou, Pondicherry Contractor: Mohan Constructions, Alankuppam Photo Credits: Sashwat Parhi, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Drone Photos: Prabuddha Patro, Auroville Winner, Wade Asia Awards 2024 , Category : Fascinating Facades. Winner, Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Category: Women Architect in the Forefront Winner, Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Category: Mercantile Showroom Cottage Showroom was designed and built for the Udyog trust of Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is located in Pondicherry, on a corner plot on the main canal street that once divided the French quarter and the Tamil quarter. The clients came to us to renovate a small existing showroom in this busy street. We encouraged the clients to relocate the building to a corner plot replacing the existing toilet blocks, to increase footfall and sales and also modernise the showroom. This building is an outlet of the Cottage Industries which has been running since 1949. It sells handmade incense sticks, candles, mats, body care and other handcrafted items. As the name suggests, they try to maintain a natural ambience and simple style of working , avoiding as far as possible an industrialized approach to manufacturing. They utilize recycled materials, integrate nature-friendly methods and are known for their signature packing incense sticks in tracing paper since decades. The project was conceived to be a modern establishment yet retaining the old world charm within an urban context. The exposed RCC structure with mud plastered walls creates a sense of charm. The building has two perpendicular walls in glass facing both the streets, which turns the entire showroom ino a display . The vertical steel shutters are designes in continuity with the facade cottage restaurant on the same street. DYNAMIC SHUTTERS: They have become the USP of this project. They are designed using a counter weight system and are easily operable by a single person. They filter the light entering the building creating different patterns on the walls throughout the day. They provide visibility and security during day and night for the double storey glass facade while also adding to the overall aesthetic value of the building. The play of the shutters changing during the night, day and lunch time (3 hours) add to the charm of its welcoming street, facade. All the fixtures and facade elements are made by local fabricators in Auroville workshops, requiring a lot of innovation and adaptation without using highly industrialized methods . The entire ensemble of glass facade with Munni blue color mild steel shutters enhances the modern element in the building. The corner of the plot is kept free making a smooth gesture to the corner of the two busy roads which acts as a pause point before entering the showroom. The two storey structure responds better to the existing density of the street junction with a corner office space on the first floor overlooking the main cross roads. BACK TO PROJECTS

WHITE PEACOCK 2015 PROJECT INFORMATION The clients two Russian ceramists approached us for designing an extension for their existing pottery studio , in the kinder garden area. The main concern for them was the rat infestation from the tiled roof and the shortage of storage area . They also wanted a space where they could work conveniently in all season/ weather conditions. They mainly conducted classes for adults and children in the weekends apart from their daily practice at the studio. The kindergarten team insisted us to make tiled roofs , so as to follow the language of whole campus. But, clients were reluctant because of the rat infestation as they would topple over their paints and ceramics would get broken etc… We came up with the idea satisfying both the conditons by having low RCC roof and a tile roof on top. This creates an attic space for storage and also keeps the place coo by acting as a second protective layer from the sun. We have provided good amount of skylights to lit up whole studio with adequate daylight. As the project was funded by government the budget was very low . Hence the palette is kept simple using exposed brick outside and plastered inside. Natural stone flooring , built in storage and electric kilns are provided within the studio. The plan of the building is simple rectangle and has a offset at one corner creating an interesting corner spaces. The outdoor semi-open spaces are designed to double up as a place to conduct weekend classes / workshops. We also tried to incorporate some of the ceramic products like spouts and plates in the ceiling and flooring as an design element. We also designed the precast ferro cement boxes that are inserted into the walls, which act as a display place where the products could be seen from both inside and outside. BACK TO PROJECTS

AVATAR SYRUP FACTORY 2005 PROJECT INFORMATION Avatar (syrup production unit) is located within the Udyogam complex, which accommodates various small-scale food processing units and their staff/caretaker’s residences . Various experiments in structure , material and detailing done during the making of the staff residence in same complex were improvised and incorporated for the production units. The challenge lied in creating a harmonious working and living environment which dealt with the ecological impacts of small-scale industries in an effective way. The underlying theme was both that the ‘Polluter Pays ’ and the ‘Polluter Stays’ , ensuring maximum care of the whole site in all respects. A common architectural language which was developed during the making of staff residence was followed in production units too. Using concrete flat roofs with cantilevering overhangs , interspersed with Achikal brick and china mosaic clad vaults . BACK TO PROJECTS

DEEPANAM SCHOOL 2012 PROJECT INFORMATION Client: Sri Aurobindo International Institute of Education and Research (SAIIER) Year: 2008-2012 Location: Auroville Site Area: approx. 3 acres Built Up Area: approx. 400m2 Typology: Primary and Middle School Team: Marcia Oliviera, Akshaya L.N, Annam. Vaishnavi, Sachin Patil, Niharika Sanyal, Sindhu Gopal, Swastika Mukherjee, Shashank, Renuka Gupta Structure: Mona Doctor-Pingel Photo Credits: Giorgio Contractor: Mohan Constructions Studio Naqshbandi was invited to improvise the existing infrastructure of Deepanam in 2007. With approximately 30 students at that time, it was a budding school with very little budget from SAIIER (Sri Aurobindo International Institute of Education and Research), the main financial and administrative branch in Auroville. Studio Naqshbandi worked closely with the teachers, taking down their requirements systematically and creating a five-year plan to grow incrementally . The first work was to make the existing septic tank-cum-soak pit for the toilets functional with a budget of Rs. 50000. This led to the design of a new toilet block. The first buildings were very low budget . Due to a lack of information and clarity on the requirements, the built form is improvised based on the money available. Many small improvements made the school read as a coherent campus . The studio was responsible for fundraising for notebooks, batik workshops etc, and procuring donations from various Auroville units, like granite stones from Progress Landscapes and, waste materials from Matrimandir etc. Over 5 years we designed and built several structures like the art and craft workshop, clay workshop, parent- teacher room, staff housing, extension to the science lab etc. with budgets ranging from 2 lakhs to 12 lakhs. The aim eventually became an exercise in showcasing that affordable , low cost solutions can also deliver practical , low maintenance , naturally ventilated buildings with good quality and aesthetics. To see full Deepanam School documentaton, click the PDF link... BACK TO PROJECTS

ANDANG 2001 PROJECT INFORMATION Client: June & Jehunde Year: 1999-2001 Location: Auroville Built Up Area: 88m² Typology: Residence & Psychotherapy Office Principal Architect: Mona Doctor-Pingel Structure: Mona Doctor-Pingel Contractor: Ramiah Adiari + Vellapaudi Acchari Photo Credits: Noble George ‘Andang’ is located within Yantra Community, in the Industrial Area of Auroville. It is designed as a residence with a psychotherapy office. ‘Andang’ means ‘a pleasant place ’ in Korean, since the clients were a Korean psychoanalyst and a German philosopher. Their brief asked for a dome for the psychotherapy office, as they desired a room that would evoke a womb-like phenomenon. They wished to avoid any arched openings and emphasized that the building should be low-maintenance , insect-proof , practical , and make use of xeriscaping (gardens with zero watering). The existing canyon and indigenous trees were respected and fortified so that the architecture would be in harmony with the landscape. The brick dome is an experiment of a ‘dome without ring forces ’, inspired by architect Gernot Minke who has made prolific use of such dome structures in mud blocks throughout his long career in Germany. The domes form is achieved by a rotating steel guide, made locally and is dismantlable. This particular shape of the dome results in all the ring forces concentrating at the centre of the 21 cm brick section, thereby removing the need for a ring beam or heavy supporting walls or buttress to support the large span. (5.5 mt diameter) The flat rooftop terrace is constructed using a system of precast concrete beams with Cuddapah stone slabs laid on top. Brick bat lime concrete and china mosaic forms the final waterproofing layer and heat-reflecting surface . To read more about the project, see article. BACK TO PROJECTS

ELIEVIDU 1997 PROJECT INFORMATION Elievidu is one of the first projects done independantly by Studio Naqshbandi and the first 'dome without ring forces ' constructued in Auroville as per the method of architect Gernot Minke of Kassel University, Germany. It is also the first building for Yantra community along with Samarpan residence. We were asked to present the density and layout for the whole Yantra site to the planning groups at that time. Along with this vision, we also set out the basic guidelines which stipulated that all buildings including those that would eventually be built as and when new clients came, would - adhere to building with domes and vaults as a common language. - use compressed earth blocks / locally available fired bricks for load bearing construction with minimum use of concrete . - aim to incorporate principles of Building Biology with ecological building technologies . - all buildings to be naturally ventilated and use of DC current (12V) via rooftop solar panels for all electricity in the residences - use of natural materials which ensure well being of the resident, for example natural rough cuddapah stone flooring , lime wash for internal walls, etc. - keep as far as possible all indigenous trees already existing on the site. - reuse of recycled waste water for fruit trees or fragrant bushes near the soak pits / biological waste water treatment - ensure minimum rain water run off from the entire site to the canyon side. In those days, we were fortunate to also calculate and design the structural system for the buildings. All infrastrucutre and landscape design was done by the studio and excution was done by a single contractor. BACK TO PROJECTS