KALPANA APARTMENTS (unbuilt) 2012 PROJECT INFORMATION Location: Residential Zone, Sector 1 Site Area (without Community Centre & Phase 2): 12000 m² Footprint Area : 2260 m² Built up Area (parking excluded): 4880 m² Total no. of Apartments: 50 Expected Inhabitants: 110- 130 F.S.I.: 0.4 The design of this Apartments and Community Centre was commissioned to Studio Naqshbandi around August 2011. It was to be located in sector 1 of the Residential Zone of Auroville which has a relatively low density development. It was to house about 130-140 persons in 52 apartments of varied sizes, ranging from studio space to three bedroom apartments for families. A swimming pool, some offices, a Gym, laundry, home theatre, open air amphitheatre, sports area for badminton, table tennis, guest rooms for friends of Kalpana residents, common space for meetings / exhibition, covered parking, a Restaurant etc. were planned around the community centre with a common plaza and was an integral part of the project. The concept of Kalpana Apartments evolved around a lively Internal street which will be fully pedestrian and landscaped. This was an important starting point, since one of the major challenges one faces in designing residential apartments in Auroville, where most buildings are naturally ventilated , is the aspect of a very minimal ambient sound level , thereby making it difficult to have normal conversations in the privacy of homes. Added to this is the multi-cultural aspect, where each culture’s threshold of acceptance of noise can vary greatly. Creating thus an internal street which allows for many activities to take place would add to the ambient noise giving the residents more privacy . In Kalpana we had consciously chosen to create a layout which is flexible based on a modular system. This would make each person feel that their apartment is slightly different from others giving them a sense of identity. The end effect was an organic form which allows for porosity and multiplicity of choices and interactions . BACK TO PROJECTS

TEMPLE TREE RETREAT 2011 PROJECT INFORMATION Client: Nalin Patel Year: 2008-2012 Location: Bommapalayam, near Auroville Site Area: 4000m2 Built Up Area: 1200m2 Typology: Boutique Hotel Team: Arusha Shridhar, Sonam P. Kesarkar, Kriti Gupta Structure: Thamizarasan Photo Credits: Sanjiv Raman, Jasmine Patel Contractor: Mohan Constructions Consultants: Dirk Nagel, Aqua Engineers (Waste Water Treatment), Kavit and Aurore (Solar Water Heating System) Temple Tree Retreat is a boutique resort that responds to the client’s vision to create a welcoming atmosphere “for those who want a serene and beautiful place to come to, after meditating at the Inner Chamber of the Matrimandir. ” The retreat responds to and engages with the landscape and sky – creating a dialogue between nature and the observer . On entering the site a carefully laid pathway of rough granite stones, flanked by precast concrete garden lamps lead one to the biopond that wraps itself around the entry verandah. The pink lilies and the sound of a water fountain greet the visitor inviting them to relax. The ponds and gardens integrate with the verandahs of the elevated ground floor structure and each room has a well laid out garden space in the front and back. Designed around an internal courtyard for light and privacy , the main house contains a kitchen, dining, two guest rooms and a private apartment on the first floor, opening on to a terrace garden. The sloping Mangalore tiled roofs are supporting with a system of precast concrete rafters, clad internally with bison board and insulated with a layer of thermocal. The material palette conists of black Cuddapah flooring , teak wood doors and exposed concrete structure . Plastered walls of Porotherm hollow clay blocks make for adequate sound and thermal insulation . A meditation space is nestled over a pond between the main house and cottages, designed to open up to the landscape when needed. Use of white marble for flooring and wall panels allows for a diffused light quality, lending a sense of sanctity to this chamber. RECOGNITION: Awards: This project received the Runner-Up position in Landscape Category, WADe India Excellence Awards, 2018. Magazine Articles: July - August 2015 ADDRESSING THE FIVE SENSES A Report on the work of Mona Doctor-Pingel, Architect, Studio Naqshbandi by Nandhini Sundar & REJUVENARING in ITS SIMPLICITY A report on Temple Tree Retreat by Nandhini Sundar antarya Issue 10. See articles August 2015 A Report on Temple Tree Retreat and the work of Mona Doctor-Pingel, Architect, Studio Naqshbandi ARCHITECT and INTERIORS INDIA Volume 7, Issue 5. See article https://youtu.be/JfPd_-646sM BACK TO PROJECTS

NATURELLEMENT 2005 PROJECT INFORMATION Client: Martina Lundquist Year: 2002-2005 Location: Udyogam Complex, Industrial Zone, Auroville Built Up Area: 100m2 Typology: Restaurant Architect: Mona Doctor Pingel Structure: Mona Doctor-Pingel Contractor: Mohan Constructions Photo Credits: John Mandeen, Shiraz Panthaky Naturellement (jam and pickle 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

Out of gallery SUZIE'S HOUSE 1995 PROJECT INFORMATION Coming Soon BACK TO PROJECTS

KAPOOR RESIDENCE (ongoing) PROJECT INFORMATION BACK TO PROJECTS

Working with architecture, interior design and landscaping simultaneously on every project allows us 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. Founded in 1995, Studio Naqshbandi is rooted in the essence and philosophy of Auroville. The studio believes in offering an immersive sensorial experience through ARCHITECTURE, INTERIOR DESIGN and LANDSCAPING for every project. READ MORE

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

UPASANA SHOWROOM 2004 PROJECT INFORMATION The project began as a small garage designed for parking vehicles, cycles, and motorcycles, with a separate storeroom. The design featured concrete columns, a proportionate elongated structure, a pucca plinth beam, PCC flooring with IPS finish, and good-quality tiles. The garage was initially open on one side, with the storeroom retained as part of the layout. Over time, the structure was converted into a showroom, with the basic layout, window design, and grill details retained. The conversion included architectural drawings and subsequent modifications to accommodate the changing use of the space. The building’s red colour became an important part of its visual character. The project was further developed through several studies and proposed extensions, including models and interior design studies. Detailed interiors were later developed for the existing building, with physical models used to explore the design. BACK TO PROJECTS

UTSAV 2023 PROJECT INFORMATION Client: Utsav Unit Typology: Multi use Location: Auroville Industrial Zone Site Area: 1640 m2 Built Up Area: 1000 m2 Team: Mona Doctor- Pingel, Nancy Agarwal, Ralph Sequeira, Madhivanan Gnanavel, Abishek P, Mathura Maathangi, Narmadha, Ganesh S. Structure: NPC Builders, Puducherry Contractor: Baskar & Sivabalan- Nala Builders UTSAV : An Urban Intervention – It is located on a prime spot on one of the main radials in the industrial zone of Auroville. It is a multi-use project which is planned to cater to start-ups, offices, cafes, commercial units, retail and residential spaces. Being in close proximity to Verite, Afsanah Guest House, Udyogam, Mereville Trust, Mantra Pottery, Auromics, Svaram Musical Instruments, Yantra and Celebration communities, it allows for a variety of new activities and brings life to the area during day and night. The key idea is to be affordable , accessible and allow for climatic comfort . This pathbreaking project challenges stereotypical idea of working/living in an industrial area with raw concrete structures of rigid shapes and forms and no vegetation around. The aim is to provide people with spaces to meet informally , creating an attractive public space . It celebrates the union of commercial space and residence units working together, with all provisions of services and amenities such as covered parking space, a large internal courtyard , well-ventilated common toilets , drinking water points , waste water treatment plant , provision for solar PV and air-conditioning , etc all well thought out and integrated into the planning. UTSAV is designed in a modular manner allowing for flexibility to reduce or increase the space according to the requirements of the client. The current plan has commercial unit and cafes in the ground floor and office spaces in the first floor. Residences are spread across ground and first floor and second floor entirely. It is currently under construction since September 2020 and is open for booking to all residents of Auroville. Published articles on UTSAV process and experimentation_ Auroville Today monthly publication_2019 and 2024 -The challenges of experimenting with Auroville _by Alan - UTSAV_A mixed use experimnetal building complex_by Alan See articles 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