The Activist Architect
An architect, a heritage activist and a believer in the GREEN concept, Karan Grover is a multi-faceted personality, who has given India its first Green building and has put India on the World Heritage Site map, yet again.
Mr. Karan Grover has been a name to reckon with when it comes to pioneering the Green Building revolution in India. An Internationally renowned architect, one of his major accomplishments has been the CII- Sohrabji Green Business Centre in Hyderabad, which is the first building in the world to receive LEED v2 Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Armed with a Degree in Architecture from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and a Graduate Diploma from Architectural Association, London, Karan Gorver established his own firm, Karan Gorver & Associates, (KGA) in 1975 headquartered in Vadodara. His company has concentrated on modern designs with traditional techniques of energy efficiency, catering to projects which include townships, corporates, public or commercial buildings, cultural and institutional projects and several other interior designing projects.
His 32-year old firm has designed and executed many award winning projects based mainly on the ‘Green’ concept, incorporating various designing techniques to suit the contemporary style.
It also won the Architectural Award in 2002 for CII/ABB Institute of Quality in Bangalore awarded the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) - Snowcem Award for the outstanding Public Building of the year. KGA also won the prestigious PLATINUM Award in November, 2003 under Version 2 of LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) from the US Green Building Council for the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre in Hyderabad, making them the first architects in the world to get this highest possible award for Sustainable Architecture.
He has also formed the Heritage Club which involves school students in Western India to know about their natural environment through architectural heritage. The students learn how their ancestors built structures that were not only practical, but also sensitive to the needs of their civilization and surroundings, through his programs. His club has a membership of about 3500 members currently.
His quest for green architecture and setting precedents will go on as he continues to strive and spread the green revolution as far as he can and bring his extensive experience in Heritage conservation to more such forgotten sites!
Mr. Karan Grover has been a name to reckon with when it comes to pioneering the Green Building revolution in India. An Internationally renowned architect, one of his major accomplishments has been the CII- Sohrabji Green Business Centre in Hyderabad, which is the first building in the world to receive LEED v2 Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Armed with a Degree in Architecture from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and a Graduate Diploma from Architectural Association, London, Karan Gorver established his own firm, Karan Gorver & Associates, (KGA) in 1975 headquartered in Vadodara. His company has concentrated on modern designs with traditional techniques of energy efficiency, catering to projects which include townships, corporates, public or commercial buildings, cultural and institutional projects and several other interior designing projects.
His 32-year old firm has designed and executed many award winning projects based mainly on the ‘Green’ concept, incorporating various designing techniques to suit the contemporary style.
Endeavours
Karan Grover’s major projects include:
- Goa Assembly Building at Porvorim, Goa, 1993-2002.
- CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad, LEED Platinum rated building by US-GBC, 2002–2003
- District Office Complex at Bagalkot for Government of Karnataka, 2003-06
- Institute of Quality for Confederation of Indian Industry, Bangalore using Passive Down-Draft Evaporative Cooling (PDEC) system, 2000–2001
Other projects in execution stage are:
- Synthesis Business Park, Rajarhat, Kolkata for Bengal Shrachi Housing Development, sought for LEED Platinum rating of US-GBC, execution stage, 2005–2008
- Minestone Diamond Processing Unit at Navsari, sought for LEED Gold Rating, 2005–2008
- Garden of Peace at Dhauli, Bhubaneswar for Orissa Tourism Development Corporation
- Institution for Mathematics and Application at Bhubaneswar, 2006–2008
- Fort Jadhavgadhi conservation cum hotel project at Pune for Orchid Hotels
- Interior of Ahmedabad Branch of ABN AMRO Bank, sought for LEED Platinum rating, 2006–2007
Achievements
KGA is a prestigious firm and has won many awards. The firm won five Architectural Awards in 1997, including the IIA-Snowcem Award for “Excellence in Urban Architecture” for General Electrical Plastics India project at Gurgaon; the JIIA Commendation Award for “Excellence in Industrial Architecture” for Castrol India Ltd. factory at Silvassa; the IIID-MK India Award for “Excellence in Commercial Interiors” for the Showroom of Sanghvi Exports Pvt. Ltd. at Mumbai; the IIID-MK India Award for “Excellence in Corporate Interiors” for the Godrej Transelecktra Research & Development Centre at Vikhroli, Bombay; and the JIIA Award for “Excellence in Residential Architecture” House for Urvashi Devi of Baria at Baroda.It also won the Architectural Award in 2002 for CII/ABB Institute of Quality in Bangalore awarded the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) - Snowcem Award for the outstanding Public Building of the year. KGA also won the prestigious PLATINUM Award in November, 2003 under Version 2 of LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) from the US Green Building Council for the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre in Hyderabad, making them the first architects in the world to get this highest possible award for Sustainable Architecture.
The Activist
Karan Grover is also the founder of the Heritage Trust, a professional group advocating protection and preservation of historical sites. His continuous effort of 30 years to give Champaner-Pavagadh, the medieval ruins of a 14th century city, its long lost identity, was finally awarded when Champaner was declared a World Heritage Site in July 2004, at the World Heritage Convention of UNESCO in Suzhou, China; thus, for the first time, making an NGO - Heritage Trust (of which Karan Grover is the President), instrumental in getting World Heritage Site status for a site - the first site in Gujarat and the 25th in India.He has also formed the Heritage Club which involves school students in Western India to know about their natural environment through architectural heritage. The students learn how their ancestors built structures that were not only practical, but also sensitive to the needs of their civilization and surroundings, through his programs. His club has a membership of about 3500 members currently.
His quest for green architecture and setting precedents will go on as he continues to strive and spread the green revolution as far as he can and bring his extensive experience in Heritage conservation to more such forgotten sites!
