Mona Doctor-Pingel                                                Gallery

WHEN DID YOU COME TO AUROVILLE?
In 1987, as a trainee, and finally in 1990.

BACKGROUND, SOME INFO OF YOUR TRAINING
Diploma in Architecture, 1984-1990, at School of Architecture, CEPT, Ahmedabad.
Diploma Thesis: Form, Structure and Energy, A study of the Great Pyramid and Matrimandir.

Masters in Science, ARTES (Appropriate Rural Technology and Extension Skills), 1992-1994, at University of Flensburg, Germany.
Masters Thesis: Does modern architecture lead to "Civilization sicknesses"? - Consequences of Building Technologies in modern Living taken as a sign of Progress - shown in case studies on Electrobiology.

SOME DESCRIPTION OF THE NATURE OF YOUR WORK
Designing and constructing with the principles of Baubiology, such as earth-energies, electromagnetic fields, natural materials which are ecological and sustainable in the long run. Exploration of domes and vaults in the tropical climate. Stress on details, client interaction, landscaping with indigenous plants, rocks and water as elements. 
One of the communities where this has been explored is 'Yantra', a community trying to integrate residences with workshops /offices in the 'Auroshilpam' (Industrial) area of Auroville – see gallery.
Another ongoing project "Udyogam" is a complex of buildings designed to have only food processing and related units in the Industrial Zone. Here there are exoeruments with local rough limestones for load-bearing walls, lime mortar and plaster, and combining vaults with flat roofs.

THROUGH YOUR WORK WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SEEK OR EXPRESS?
Creating spaces which lead to the well-being of the users.., taking into account the five senses of the human being and activating them through architecture.., exploring the relation between music and architecture.. "Architecture is frozen music", - Goethe!

WHICH OF YOUR WORKS BEST EXPRESSES YOUR VISION, PHILOSOPHY?
As Picasso puts it, "Always the next one!"

WHICH ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT IN AUROVILLE OTHER THAN YOURS DO YOU APPRECIATE THE MOST?
Many.., in bits and parts.. Since no individual is perfect, so is the architecture created: never perfect. The process is as important as the end result.. Architecture is a means and not an end in itself.

 >> See gallery