Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu:

Nepali architect Sarosh Pradhan who was declared winner of the Young Architect of the Year Award 2004 organised by JK Cement, India was formally awarded with the prize at a function on March 31 at Hotel Le Meridian in Bangalore. Governor of Karnataka TN Chaturvedi gave away the award. Of several works nominated by Society of Nepalese Architects (SONA) from Nepal to compete for the Focus Countries Architect of the Year Awards’ in India amongst other South Asian countries — the ‘Young Architect’s Award’ was conferred to Nepali architect Sarosh Pradhan.

The recipient from India for the chairman’s award for outstanding contribution to architecture went to JM Benjamin from New Delhi. The Jury for the award comprising of eminent architects from South Asia was earlier held on November 27 2004 at Chandigarh. JK Cement Ltd has been sponsoring and hosting the Architect of the Year Awards since 1990.

World famous architects such as Ar Laurie Baker, Ar Charles Correa, Ar Kanvinde, Ar Joseph Allen Stein, Ar BV Doshi, Ar Raj Rewal, Ar Geofefery Bawa, Ar Muzharul Islam, Ar Ananta D Raje are a few who have already won the award.

Sarosh Pradhan heads the firm Sarosh Pradhan & Associates in Nepal. A graduate from Delhi School of Planning and Architecture and St Paul’s School, Darjeeling, Sarosh has worked on more than 40 projects in the last eight years. An elated Pradhan after he came back to Kathmandu shared, “This indeed was a joyous moment to receive such a big award.”

Pradhan won the award for the construction of the first phase of his project ‘Tewa’ in Dhapakhel, Kathmandu. “I noticed a difference between the construction projects here and in India.

While we are much rooted to culture while designing, in India I saw more nternationalisation. While it is good to localise the designs, we must think about incorporating international norms and style,” said Pradhan.

His recent project of the Bakery Café in Sundhara has been in the media limelight currently for its experimental and fresh approach along with the designs of Farkpa Resort and the

Lukla Hospital in the Everest Region. Pradhan’s latest work on Bakery Cafe, Boudha is almost finished with the final touches remaining. It will soon be open for public entry.