Thesis: Dadawala

Thesis: Namrata Dadawala

Symbiotic Approach: Towards a Preservation Model for the Auction Hall and its Contemporary Extensions at Navi Mumbai's MAFCO Wholesale Market

The research aims to develop a values-based preservation approach for the Auction Hall and its extension at the MAFCO Wholesale Market Complex in Navi Mumbai, India. After India gained independence in 1947, modernist architects successfully adapted the international style of Modernism to the local context and created a new regionalist style of architecture for India. However, the lack of understanding of these cultural translations into built forms has led to a lack of recognition of these modern structures and contributed to their deteriorating conditions.

(left): Before picture of the Auction Hall (F), 1972; (right): After picture of the Auction Hall (F), 2022.

The context drawing for the Auction Hall (F) and the contemporary extension of the Auction Hall (F’).
This thesis is an essential tool to derive a preservation design philosophy for the Auction Hall and its extension. It emphasizes the interdependence of expertise from all actors involved in modern heritage sites. This symbiotic approach aims to create a more sensitive and sustainable future for these sites of architectural and cultural significance. Although the preservation approach developed in this research is specific to the Auction Hall and its extension, the methodology and framework could be applied to other modern heritage sites in India.
(top): the assessment of the values for the Auction Hall (F) and its extension (F’); (bottom): diagrammatic representation for the Symbiotic Preservation.

Thesis: Namrata Dadawala

Symbiotic Approach: Towards a Preservation Model for the Auction Hall and its Contemporary Extensions at Navi Mumbai's MAFCO Wholesale Market

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