Spaces_is8

EDITORIALCONTRIBUTORS
“Monti Meliora Sequamur”
(Having been taught, we follow the better)
- Motto of St. Paul’s School, Darjeeling
Schools are, and will always, be an important part of our
lives. The type of education and knowledge they impart, and
the surroundings in which we spend most of our childhood,
leaves a lasting impression on young receptive minds.
Darjeeling, famous for its tea and schools, has no doubt
sculpted quite a few personalities of Nepal. In this issue,
architect Sarosh Pradhan visits his alma mater St. Paul’s after
25 years and reminisces on this 182-year-old ‘inspirational
school’.
Architects design houses for people, shaping their
environment based on their requirements and needs. The
vision and perception necessary to translate it into reality
depends upon, and is, paramount to the architect’s skill and
expertise. So what happens when the designer himself wields
the stick and designs his own home? We feature in this issue
the living and working environment of architect Bibhuti Man
Singh who likes to describe his design of the Nepalese pavilion
in Expo 2000 Hanover as ‘Cozy, confident, composure amidst
contemporary concerns’- a philosophy that probably reflects
on all his design works.
The recent earthquakes in Kashmir and the mountainous
Hindu Kush region bordering Pakistan has jolted us again
from our slumber. In fact, a friend’s remark on the earthquake
was simply “It’s getting nearer!!” Yes, it sure is - if that is
how one wants to understand it.
But what next? Do we just wait for doomsday?
Or do we act now?
Wishing you all a Happy New Year 2006.
Dr. Bijaya K. Shrestha, Ph D, is an Associate Professor in the
Department of Architecture at Nepal Engineering College. He
has been propogating the need for a greater sense of
responsibility so that the skyline of Kathmandu does not become
distorted beyond redemption.
Purusottam Dangol is a Superintendent
Architect in the Dept. of Urban
Development and Building Construction.
He has a Master’s degree in Geo-
Information for Urban Planning. Dangol has
been involved in designing various types
of government buildings and is also
involved in Temple Architecture in the
Kathmandu valley.
Sarosh Pradhan takes a trip down memory
lane and finds himself in Darjeeling. A long
overdue visit to his Alma Mater, St. Paul’s
School, featured at the top of his itinerary.
In this issue he pens down his reflections
accompanied by the beautiful pictures he
managed to capture with his camera.
Neelam Pradhananga is a final year
student of Architecture at Khwopa
Engineering College. She is interested in
urban planning, urban design and
conservation. Her articles have been
published in several newspapers,
magazines and journals. She was one of
the winners of the VOW 2004 Top Ten
College Women Competition.
Niranjan Shrestha claims to be a dreamer
who dares to dream the undreamt. A true
Scorpio, he is passionate about art and life.
This young architect believes that by
changing our dwellings we can change our
thoughts and by changing our thoughts we
can change the world.
6 JAN-FEB 2006 SPACES