About the Department

Architectural Conservation is a specialization in Architecture which addresses crucial issues confronting our built heritage resources, comprising of historic buildings, groups of buildings, historic areas, heritage cities, and cultural landscapes, in a comprehensive manner.

The Academic course contents are structured in five modules to encompass the Conservation philosophy, Conservation principles and practices, Conservation science echniques and technology, Conservation management and Conservation studio. Special emphasis is placed on planning for historic cities and regeneration of historic core areas and traditional housing. In addition, there is a focus on appropriate modification and adaptive reuse, and contextual design of infill buildings and new architecture in historic areas. Technical aspects, supported by a Conservation Laboratory, include an understanding of traditional building materials, innovative techniques for structural stabilization and retrofitting maintenance and up gradation of historic structures. The module on heritage management encompasses Conservation from the International (UNESCO) to National & local levels for heritage buildings, sites and cities. Site-based Conservation Studio projects are emphasized as a crucial component of the holistic and integrated approach of the Department of Architectural Conservation. All studio exercises, based on exhaustive site surveys, are intended to ensure integration between emerging issues and the application of theoretical understanding, participatory methodologies and interdisciplinary techniques by the students to innovate and address practical, real-world heritage Conservation and sustainable development challenges in different regional contexts.

The guided Studio Program is carefully formulated over three consecutive semesters to simultaneously enable students to develop methods and hone specific skills for devising appropriate Conservation interventions in heritage areas of increasing scales and complexity – ranging from historic sites to heritage towns and cultural landscapes; The studio exercises contribute to enrichment of knowledge base related to research thrust areas of the Department which include heritage impact assessment, heritage economics, adaptive reuse, risk preparedness; provide policy and planning support for government initiatives in the area of heritage Conservation and management.

This academic program equips students with the skills and abilities to expand their architectural practices to Conservation and design in historic areas.

News

New Academic Session Starting from 29th July, 2024

Upcoming Events

LASER SCANNING AS A TOOL FOR DOCUMENTATION AND CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE BUILDINGS
( Format:pdf, Size:976 KB, Language: English ) Click Here
INTEGRATED APPROACHES FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES, COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE ( Format:pdf, Size:670 KB, Language: English ) Click Here

Programs

Master of Architecture (Architectural Conservation)
Two Year Programme

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.)
Full-Time Programme 2-5 Years
Part-Time Programme 3-7 Years

Faculty

Prof. Dr. Priyaleen Singh

Ph.D.(UK)., Cert In RM&HC (Italy), M.A. Cons. (UK), MLA., B.Arch.

priyaleen.delhi@gmail.com, p.singh@spa.ac.in

Professor

Anuradha Chaturvedi

M.A. Cons. (UK), Cert. in Archaeological Conservation, B.Arch.

a.chaturvedi@spa.ac.in, hodac@spa.ac.in

Associate Professor

Head of the Department

T. Lakshmi Priya

M.Arch with specialization in Architectural Conservation, B.Arch

tlpriya@gmail.com, l.priyat@spa.ac.in

Assistant Professor

Staff

Ms. Kiran Punia

Senior Assistant

Course Curriculum

Master of Architecture (Architectural Conservation) ( Format: pdf, Size: 1615 KB, Language: English ) Click Here

Events

1. 23rd & 24th SEPTEMBER 2023: LASER SCANNING AS A TOOL FOR DOCUMENTATION AND CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE BUILDINGS Hands-on workshop on ‘LASER scanning- LIDAR TECHNOLOGY’:

The case of Feroz Shah Kotla. Guided By Yash Mehrotra, Director, Geosystem Group and organized by the Department, the hands-on workshop involved the major use of a Laser Scanner which is a non-contact device that captures millions of discrete data points to measure an object or space using laser infrared technology that produces detailed 3D images in minutes. The activity was conducted on the centrally protected ASI Site - Jama Masjid at Firoz Shah Kotla.

2. 29TH JULY 2024: LATEST INNOVATIONS IN ASSESSING CLIMATE VULNERABILITY OF WORLD HERITAGE

The Department in collaboration with ICOMOS India (President Dr. Rima Hooja) and DRONAH Foundation (Dr. Shikha Jain), organized the seminar on ‘Latest Innovations in Assessing Climate Vulnerability of World Heritage’. The seminar was presented by Dr. Scott Heron, UNESCO Chair for Climate Change, and Dr. Jon Day, experts on the ‘Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI)’. The seminar discussed CVI as a systematic and rapid assessment tool for World Heritage that is values-based, science-driven, and community-focused. It also stressed the flexibility of such standardized index use for more case-based individualization based on site context.

3. 18th MARCH 2024: INTEGRATED APPROACHES FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES, COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE

The Department in collaboration with Department of Environmental Planning, and several prestigious organizations like ICOMOS, ICCROM, Blue Planet, ISCCL, ICOFORT, DRONAH, and others. Under the theme several insightful and critical discussions were initiated like: Co-development of Resilient Building Technologies with Communities; Engaging Youth in Conservation Action for Resilient Heritage sites; Nature-Culture Interface: Innovative Initiatives for Community Engagement, and Community Participation for Environmental and Economic Regeneration. The 1st Year Architectural Conservation students presented their academic studio work on the Unprotected heritage in the vicinity of Fatehpur Sikri World Heritage Site.

4. 21st & 22nd March 2024: VISIT TO CENTRAL BUILDING RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT IIT ROORKEE: CONSERVATION LABORATORIES & INNOVATIVE ADVANCES IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGIES

The students of the 2nd Semester of Architectural Conservation under the guidance of Prof. Jamwal and Asst. Prof. Lakshmi Priya T. visited the Heritage Research and Innovation Laboratories at CBRI Roorkee. They experienced the Structural Engineering Labs, which helped them to gauge how to connect contemporary construction scenarios in Historical contexts. They visited the CBRI Library, Attended expert seminars on Heritage & its conservation techniques and innovation by CBRI, and visited the Conservation Workshop, NDT & Nano Material Labs where conservation research is actively done. The visit was crucial for them as conservation and heritage professionals as to how scientific research, experimentation, testing and analysis is done on heritage structures, materials and new innovative approaches.

5. 6th April 2024: VISIT TO KUNAL AND RAKHIGARHI, HARYANA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

The students of the 2nd Semester of Architectural Conservation under the guidance of Prof. Ashwani Asthana visited the archaeological sites of Kunal and Rakhigarhi in Haryana to experience live archaeological processes and their contextual complexities. They were exposed to the importance of historical research and its application on the ground for archaeological explorations. They also experience the scientific processes therein and its need for preservation.

Alumni

The Department of Architectural Conservation, School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, is nearing 40th year of its inception making it one of the oldest conservation departments in India. This esteemed institution has produced numerous alumni who have gained national and international recognition for their contributions to heritage conservation, playing a significant role in shaping conservation practices and establishing a legacy of excellence.

Some of the prominent alumni include Ar. Gurmeet Rai, Ar. Vikas Dilawari, Ar. Abha Narain Lambha, Prof. Dr. Rohit Jigyasu, Prof. Dr. Binumol Tom, Prof.Dr. Manish Chalana, Prof. Dr. Kailash Rao, and Prof. Dr. Ajay Khare and several others.

Ar. Gurmeet Rai leads the Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative in Delhi. Her notable conservation projects include the Red Fort in Delhi, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the World Heritage Site of Lumbini in Nepal, and for UNESCO the Cultural Heritage Policy for Punjab. This work not only highlights her expertise but also exemplifies the department's impact on heritage preservation.

Another notable alumnus, Ar. Vikas Dilawari, is the Principal Architect at Vikas Dilawari Architects in Mumbai. He focuses on conserving Mumbai's iconic Victorian and Art Deco heritage buildings, contributing significantly to the city’s architectural identity. His dedication has garnered him over 18 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards, emphasizing his substantial influence in the field.

Ar. Abha Narain Lambha, founder of Abha Narain Lambha Associates, specializes in sustainable architecture and urban design. Her notable projects, such as the Maitreya Buddha Temple in Basgo, Ladakh, have earned her nine UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards. Additionally, her inclusion in the Top 50 Architects & Designers by Architectural Digest demonstrates her respect and influence in the architectural community.

Prof. Dr. Rohit Jigyasu, has established himself in the field of risk management. Currently a Project Manager at ICCROM, he focuses on urban heritage, climate change, and disaster risk management. His has developed international training courses on disaster risk management, showcasing his commitment to cultural heritage preservation. He also served as President of ICOMOS-India from 2014 to 2018.

Prof. Dr. Binumol Tom, Head of Department at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Kottayam founded Context & Context in Kochi, focusing on community-driven cultural heritage conservation and sustainable architecture. Her work emphasizes integrating community involvement into conservation practices, promoting inclusivity and sustainability in the field.

Prof. Dr. Manish Chalana, currently teaches at the University of Washington in the Urban Design and Planning Department. His academic pursuits, along with being a Fulbright scholar, contribute significantly to urban conservation and design education, shaping future professionals in the field.

Prof. Dr. Kailash Rao, the current Director of the School of Planning and Architecture in Bhopal, specializes in understanding and evaluating traditional Indian built environments using state-of-the-art technology. His expertise in digital documentation enhances the department's contributions to conservation practices.

Prof. Dr. Ajay Khare, the Founder-Director of the School of Planning and Architecture in Bhopal, is a recognized scholar in architecture and conservation. He has been a Fulbright Fellow in the U.S. and a Charles Wallace Fellow in the U.K. As the first Indian recipient of the Berkeley Teaching Fellowship, Dr. Khare advocates for "Architecture as Social Art," emphasizing the social dimensions of architectural practice.

The department's influence also extends to current students and recent graduates. The 2019 batch has made significant strides in the conservation field, with alumni like Ar. Swathy Subramanian, Ar. Savita Rajan, and Ar. Ritu Sara Thomas winning the 2023 Award of Distinction under the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation for their Karnikara Mandapam Conservation Project. This accomplishment exemplifies the high standards of conservation practice instilled in students, further validated by additional accolades like the Golden Leaf Award for Architectural Conservation at the IIA Kerala State Awards 2023.

Furthermore, several alumni have excelled in academic research. Scholars such as Ar. Balaji, Ar. Shahim, and Ar. Anjali C. have completed their Ph.Ds., contributing to the body of knowledge in architectural conservation and enhancing their careers in academia. This blend of practical and research-oriented education reflects the department’s commitment to producing well-rounded professionals capable of addressing the complexities of cultural heritage conservation.

The Department continues to nurture a generation of conservation architects prepared to tackle contemporary challenges while putting in place best conservation practices. The legacy of the department, evident in its distinguished alumni, stands as a testament to its enduring influence on the field of architectural conservation in India and globally.

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