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Guru Prasath A

Guru Prasath A

Heritage, Culture & Urban Enthusiast
Chennai

Work Preference

Work Type

Full TimePart TimeContract Work

Location Preference

On-SiteRemoteHybrid

Important To Me

Company CultureFlexible work hoursWork from home optionWork-life balancePersonal development programs

Summary

Dynamic conservation architect and urban planner with a strong passion for understanding and preserving cultural heritage. Extensive experience collaborating with conservation architects across India, contributing to significant projects such as the nomination of Rudreshwara Ramappa Temple as a World Heritage Property and enhancing accessibility for tourists. Currently engaged in Heritage & Culture inclusive spatial planning and urban renewal projects, integrated master planning of Hindu temple precincts and the conservation of listed heritage buildings, focusing on innovative solutions that blend indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary, people-oriented design. Committed to continuous learning and adaptation to diverse cultures and dialects, consistently driven to uncover new insights and deliver exceptional results.

Overview

6
6
Languages
2
2
Certifications
11
11
years of post-secondary education
11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Associate Planner (Grade 1)

Directorate of Town and Country Planning- TN Govt
11.2025 - Current

Masterplans for the towns under AMRUT scheme: Tiruchirappalli Thoothukudi, Salem, Tiruppur, Nagapattinam & Velankanni, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Karaikudi, Rameswaram

  • Developed comprehensive land use plans that ensured compliance with government regulations and addressed community needs.
  • Analyzed demographic data and trends to guide decision-making in urban development projects.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to gather input and enhance community engagement in planning processes.
  • Analyzed demographic data and trends to inform urban development decisions.
  • Reviewing other town Masterplans under AMRUT 1.0 & 2.0

Planning Consultant (Heritage, Culture & Tourism)

Directorate of Town and Country Planning- TN Govt
05.2025 - 10.2025
  • Madurai Master Plan 2044
  • Revitalization Plan for Heritage Core of Madurai (Urban Renewal)
  • Conducted comprehensive assessments of development proposals to ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to streamline planning processes and improve project outcomes.

Principal Architect

Studio VAAZH LLP
03.2025 - Current
  • Conserved Wesley Church Chennai (Grade 1), preserving its architectural integrity and historical significance.
  • Heritage Impact Assessments for developments in the vicinity of Sites under ASI
  • Drafting Heriage Bye-laws for Monuments & Sites under ASI
  • Conservation of Saraswathi Mahal Library, Thanjavur Palace
  • Conservation of Old Police Training Centre, Madurai
  • Conserved Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy's Residence, safeguarding its historical value and contributing to local heritage preservation.

Conservation Architect

CUBOID
09.2022 - 03.2025
  • Integrated Master-planning (incl of Conservation, Conservation of historic buildings and design of Newbuilds) of Temples precincts under Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments(TN-HR&CE)
  • Restored State Bank of India - Imperial Bank, Chennai (Grade 1), preserving architectural integrity and historical significance.
  • Conserved General Post & Telegraph Office, Chennai (Grade 1), ensuring structural stability and heritage preservation.
  • Conserved St. Pauls Church, Choolai, Chennai (Grade 2A), maintaining cultural heritage and enhancing community value.
  • Conservation of St. Pauls Church, Choolai, Chennai(Grade 2A)
  • Iconic Chola Museum, Thanjavur
  • Independence Museum, Chepauk, Chennai
  • Upgradation & Extension of Renugha Gengammal Temple, Aravakurichi
  • Architectural Regeneration of Palani Madam
  • Masterplanning and Architectural design of Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar Arts & Science College, Tiruchengodu
  • Master-planning of Th. Santhalinga Adigalar College of Arts & Science,Perur

Associate Fellow

Delhi Jal Board
06.2022 - 08.2022
  • Led initiatives to enhance water supply management protocols, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams to optimize operational workflows and improve service delivery.
  • Converted water tanker distribution systems to community tap delivery systems using GIS tools to enhance accessibility and efficiency.
  • Prototyped City of Lakes-New Delhi website to improve user experience and community engagement.

Assistant Professor

Hindustan Institute Of Technology And Science
02.2021 - 05.2022
  • Taught and guided courses in architectural design, conservation, history, building construction, communication fundamentals, theory of design, furniture workshop, and architectural thesis focused on culture and heritage
  • Delivered elective lectures on urban heritage conservation to enhance students' understanding of preservation practices
  • Led Heritage Club, facilitating discussions and initiatives related to cultural heritage and conservation among university students

Conservation Consultant

ECORYS INDIA
12.2020 - Current
  • Led conservation and renovation of Old collectorate building (1896) and Thanjavur Maratha Palace (16th century), preserving historical integrity and enhancing cultural heritage.
  • Developed strategic frameworks for project execution and stakeholder engagement.
  • Led cross-functional teams to identify and implement process improvements.

Post. Graduate Intern

INTACH BENGALURU CHAPTER
06.2019 - 07.2019
  • Conducted comparative analysis of architectural styles of Tipu Sultan Tomb and Daria Daulat Bagh to support nomination of Srirangapatnam as World Heritage site
  • Conducted research on heritage conservation projects to support strategic initiatives.
  • Assisted in developing educational materials for community engagement programs.
  • Collaborated with team members to organize workshops and training sessions on heritage preservation.

Assistant Architect

M/s. KSHETRA
09.2017 - 06.2018
  • Nomination of Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Palampet as a World Heritage Property under ASI, Delhi (Inscribed in 2021 Ref: 1570)
  • Detailed Project report for Reconstruction and Consecration of Shivalayam on Ramappa lake Bund, Palampet
  • Rudreshwara (Ramappa) temple as Adarsha Monument under ASI, Hyderabad Circle
  • Conservation of Rahat Mahal, Purani Naveli, Hyderabad; Sep 2017 - June 2018
  • Restoration and Adaptive Re-use of Mehboob Chowk Bazaar, Hyderabad
  • Conducted research on form, science, and structure in art and architecture of Kakatiyas to enhance academic understanding and preservation practices
  • Developed tourist-friendly initiatives for Kakatiyan monuments in Warangal District and Bhuleshwar Temple in Pune under Adopt a Heritage Proposal by Ministry of Tourism
  • Coordinated urban conservation efforts for Baba Baidyanath Temple precinct renewal in Deogarh under JUIDCO and Government of Jharkhand
  • Conservation of Manik Prabu Samasthan Humnabad. Karnataka
  • Archaeological excavations of Satavahana time period at Peddabonkur. Peddapalli

Freelancing

BURNTMUD EXPLORATIONS
08.2018 - Current

Intern

SUJATA KOHLI ASSOCIATES
12.2015 - 04.2016

Intern

ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS
05.2015 - 10.2015
  • Conservation of IIM Ahmedabad_Louis I
  • Kahn Campus; Documented and mapped condition of structure-specific defects to inform restoration strategies

Education

PGD. URBAN PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT - Urban Planning

INDHRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
Chennai, India
01.2020 - 12.2023

M. Arch (Architectural Conservation) - Heritage & Culture- Conservation

SCHOOL OF PLANNING & ARCHITECTURE (SPA), DELHI
New Delhi, India
01.2018 - 01.2020

B. ARCH - Architectural And Building Sciences

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING (SAP), ANNA UNIVERSITY, CHENNAI
Chennai, India
01.2012 - 01.2017

Skills

Local Area Planning

Land use planning

Urban design guidelines

GIS applications

Restoration planning

Conservation management

Urban renewal initiatives

Conservation Planning & Management

Conservation policy

Heritage legislation

Restoration projects

Impact Assessments

Project feasibility studies

Project management

Data management

Stakeholder engagement

Research & Documentation

Costing & Estimation

Affiliations

Council of Architecture - CA/2017/87865 valid until December 2029

Indian Institute of Architects - Associate A29900

Certification

Remote Sensing & GIS Application from IIRS- ISRO

Interests

Traversing through Cultures
Photo-Archival of Thresholds
Sample Collection of Withered strata
Field-Archaeology
People Oriented Design
Regenerative Habitats
Computer Hardware Assembly

Languages

English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Tamil
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Hindi
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Elementary (A2)
Gujarati
Beginner (A1)
Telugu
Beginner (A1)

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Software

AUTOCAD

ARCGIS

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

ADOBE INDESIGN

Timeline

Associate Planner (Grade 1)

Directorate of Town and Country Planning- TN Govt
11.2025 - Current

Planning Consultant (Heritage, Culture & Tourism)

Directorate of Town and Country Planning- TN Govt
05.2025 - 10.2025

Principal Architect

Studio VAAZH LLP
03.2025 - Current

Conservation Architect

CUBOID
09.2022 - 03.2025

Associate Fellow

Delhi Jal Board
06.2022 - 08.2022

Assistant Professor

Hindustan Institute Of Technology And Science
02.2021 - 05.2022

Conservation Consultant

ECORYS INDIA
12.2020 - Current

PGD. URBAN PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT - Urban Planning

INDHRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
01.2020 - 12.2023

Post. Graduate Intern

INTACH BENGALURU CHAPTER
06.2019 - 07.2019

Freelancing

BURNTMUD EXPLORATIONS
08.2018 - Current

M. Arch (Architectural Conservation) - Heritage & Culture- Conservation

SCHOOL OF PLANNING & ARCHITECTURE (SPA), DELHI
01.2018 - 01.2020

Assistant Architect

M/s. KSHETRA
09.2017 - 06.2018

Intern

SUJATA KOHLI ASSOCIATES
12.2015 - 04.2016

Intern

ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS
05.2015 - 10.2015

B. ARCH - Architectural And Building Sciences

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING (SAP), ANNA UNIVERSITY, CHENNAI
01.2012 - 01.2017
Guru Prasath A Heritage, Culture & Urban Enthusiast