SLI 2015 PROJECT INFORMATION Livelihoods of people in rural India have been under severe stress over the last decade due to the effects of globalization. Locally-made products compete with imported products, locally-grown food competes with mass-produced food, and human labor competes with machines. These changes have resulted in natural resources being neglected and overexploited, concentration of human resources toward mass production as cheap labour, and rural communities losing their traditional bonds maintained by localized economies. All of this has contributed to an overall degeneration of quality of life. The National Rural Livelihood Mission was set up by the Government of India to address these issues by supporting rural livelihoods, under which each state has its own State Rural Livelihood Mission. These bodies design and implement locally relevant livelihood-enhancing and -supporting schemes through community organizations. The programmes have been successful in some ways but are ultimately unsustainable in that these local enterprises end up dependent on the larger markets. They also often lack an integral perspective of livelihood in terms of health, ecology and longevity. The state government recognizes this as a huge challenge. To this end, in 2014, the Tamilnadu State Rural Livelihood Mission took steps to launch a Sustainable Livelihood Institute (SLI) that would equip State Government functionaries as well as rural communities to think and work from a sustainable paradigm. It invited Auroville to be its partner in this venture . Thus SLI was to be developed and managed as a joint project by the state Rural Livelihood Mission and Auroville. The state government requested that Auroville design and deliver regular programmes and agreed to fund the creation of a physical facility to house SLI. From this facility participants would use wider Auroville as a campus. The design of the insitute should showcase the best of Auroville architecture, design, technologies, and conservation practices. A consortium of three architecture firms from Auroville under the working name of Architects Collaborative was formed and followed a process of Dreamweaving – a process evolved in Auroville - which consciously aims for the Highest Common Factor rather than the Lowest Common Denominator in a team work. Link to Dreamcatchers pdf. The Master Plan of SLI on the designated site near Irumbai Lake was thus finalised in a harmonious and collaborative manner, after which the project didnot go further in its physical manifestation. However SLI continued to conduct field workshops within Auroville and its bio region till 2019, delivering some important milestones in the realisation of the aims set up TNRLM. BACK TO PROJECTS

WHITE PEACOCK 2015 PROJECT INFORMATION Client: Saraswati & Anna Typology: Ceramic Pottery Location: Cultural Zone, Auroville Built Up Area: 74 m2 Team: Mona Doctor- Pingel, Aanchal Subbaiah, S. Kishore Rajaram, Anjali Ramachandran, Anna Structure: Dr. Ambalavanan Contractor: Vinayagam, Maharasarasvati Constructions, Auroville. 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

NATURELLEMENT STAFF RESIDENCE 2002 PROJECT INFORMATION Client: Martina Lundquist Location: Udyogam Complex, Industrial Zone, Auroville Built Up Area: 100m2 Typology: Restaurant Structure: Mona Doctor-Pingel Contractor: Mohan Constructions Photo Credits: John Mandeen, Shiraz Panthaky This project is located within the Udyogam complex, which accommodates various small-scale food processing units and their staff/caretaker’s residences. Before the design of Naturellement (jam and pickle production unit) and Avatar (syrup production unit), it was determined to begin the design and construction of the staff residence. This gave the opportunity to test out various experiments with structure, material and detailing, which could be later incorporated and improved upon 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 evolved with the staff residence and the following buildings, using concrete flat roofs with cantilevering overhangs, interspersed with achakali brick and china mosaic clad vaults. The client’s brief had asked for a staff residence for a single occupant, which could also accommodate a secondary office or a guest when needed. BACK TO PROJECTS

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

SAMARPAN 1996 PROJECT INFORMATION Client: Natasha & Emanuelle Year: 1996-1998 Location: Yantra Community, Industrial Zone, Auroville Built Up Area: 102m² Type: Residence Principal Architect: Mona Doctor-Pingel Structure: Mona Doctor-Pingel Contractor: A.K. Das Samarpan 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 Elievidu 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 infrastructure and landscape design was done by the studio and execution was done by a single contractor. BACK TO PROJECTS

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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

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

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