Poonam Verma Mascarenhas

Name

Poonam Verma Mascarenhas

Company Name

Archinova Environs

Poonam Verma Mascarenhas’ all-pervasive involvement as building conservationist, researcher and writer ties up with her architectural presence.  As a Charles Wallace Fellow—PG from University of York, UK in Conservation of Historic Buildings, her learning began at Auroville, in 1991, working with alternate technologies.  The journey over 20 years includes being a consultant to INTACH and PANIKA for conservation of 22 listed heritage sites at Jaipur – Amber. Mascarenhas’ Goa-based studio Archinova Environs, guided by their generic green principles, has revitalised many a Goan heritage home as well as a few privately-owned palaces in Rajasthan. Sustenance of the Conservation of Historic Urban Precincts and Buildings in Mandi is another of her path-breaking works.  Keyed into the relevance of traditional architecture in the Indian context, presently she has helped restore the Shimla Townhall to its former glory. The 1908 British stone and wood building has regained its architectural magnificence at a contained cost of Rs 8 crore. The work has kept sight of the requirement of the building to age gracefully, to enable it to adapt to climatic changes; it has been retrofitted for safety against fires, with provision for natural lighting and replacement of windows and rooftop while maintaining its façade to give it a new lease of life. Visitors can now look forward to the iconic landmark of the hill station amidst a call for its use as a public space. To Mascarenhas’ list of research-based publications is now added Mapped Heritage of Panaji, Goa 2017 (GHAG, 2018). All this in tandem with projects like Samskruti Hoysala at Benglauru, which brought in awards including Best Green project 2014 for its climate-sensitive boutique apartments.