Spaces Vol 1 Is 6

EDITORIAL
“If you haven’t visited Pokhara then you haven’t visited Nepal”
- Toni Hagen (1961)
Just as Kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, Pokhara is considered to be the
centre of adventure. In this issue, SPACES visits the land of the Fish Tail mountain,
where hotelier Shyam B Pandey and his team have built a ‘village’ for tourists to
enjoy this beautiful place in an ethnic environment. Read about this ‘Serene Shangri-
La’- how a group of young and fresh architects (currently a part of Design Cell)
have made a point – do not underestimate youth.
Coming back to Kathmandu - Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) adds
another feather to its cap. As Ms. Constance, Counsellor for Public Affairs, American
Embassy, commented contentedly at the kshama puja, “He has now been freed”. We
feature in this issue how KVPT has successfully restored the God of Justice, Kal
Bhairav, to its original grandeur.
Architecture knows no boundaries. This issue profiles legendary architect, the late
Robert Weise - a person said to be instrumental in influencing and changing the style
of architecture in Nepal. Also in this issue, we feature Sonia Gupta, an interior
designer from India, whose works seem to be making waves in the city.
Robert Weise -Pg. 69
We visited the residence of Kewal and Sunita Shrestha. ‘Lumanti Chen’, literally
meaning ‘house to be remembered’, reflects the couple’s appreciation and love for
all things beautiful.
The Outer Ring Road (ORR) project, a much discussed and debated topic among
us has generated assumptions and speculations. Architects Kishore Thapa, Project
Chief ORR, and Sarosh Pradhan of Sarosh Pradhan and Associates, write about
this 3 billion rupees project regarding its necessity and vision.
Serene Shangri-La- Pg. 36
If readers will remember, our first editorial (Issue 1 – Nov / Dec 2004) carried a
sentence, ‘…….SPACES is the beginning of a journey to what we were, what we are and
what we should aspire to be.’ This issue completes one year of this journey, which we
hope has ‘informed, educated and helped you to make your space as you want it to be.’ And
yes, ‘space cannot exist by itself – it affects and involves all those within.’ On the completion
of this first year’s journey, the SPACES Team wishes to thank all those affected and
involved for their encouragement, support and belief.
Take a ‘Journey through SPACES’ this festive season of Dashain and ‘make your
space a little more aesthetic, a little more comfortable and a little more functional’.
Happy Dashain
Molten Lava - Pg. 20
8 SEP-OCT 2005 SPACES