Pragya Shankar
Program Chair – BArch
Associate Professor
Pragya Shankar is an architect with specialization in landscape architecture. She is Associate Professor and the program chair for Bachelor of Architecture.
Pragya Shankar has experience of over two decades in academics. She has been teaching at the School of Environmental Design and Architecture, Navrachana University, for over a decade, where she teaches in architecture and design programs. Before this, she was associated with CEPT University as a visiting faculty member.
Her academic interests lie in architectural history, architectural design, and landscape architecture. She offers a range of courses related to these areas at the undergraduate programs.
She is a partner in PSA studios based in Vadodara, where she has been involved in a range of projects in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Academic background/Qualification
- Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), CEPT University, Ahmedabad
- Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.), Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara
Professional or Industrial Experience
Pragya is a partner in PSA studios based in Vadodara, where she has been involved in a range of Landscape Architecture projects based in Gujarat and Rajasthan over last 20 years. She has been part of design teams as a consulting landscape architect and won several design competitions.
Teaching
- History and Theory of Architecture: The courses in history and theory of architecture are approached from the perspective of its current relevance. Socio-political and economic conditions, religion and culture, scientific underpinnings, and response to physical environment towards development of design approaches and processes form the core of the courses. These are approached through a combination of theoretical inputs in from faculty and explorations by students in assignments in form of analytical models and drawings.
- Studio: The studios are largely approached as generating response to the complex contexts, humanmade or natural. The emphasis on the completeness of the projects, from generating programs to developing architectural language.
- Landscape Architecture: A range of courses offered under landscape architecture, focus on cultural underpinnings and contemporary approaches to landscape. The pedagogy involves case studies, fieldwork, and research.
Area of Expertise and Research
- Primary Area: Architectural History, Urban Landscape
- Secondary Area: Cultural Landscape
Publications
List of publications in the chronology (APA Style Guidelines)-
- Shankar, P. (2024a). Dwelling and landscape setting: Continuity of cultural ideas in the dwellings of Udaipur. In Proceedings of the 11th Seminar on Vernacular Settlements (ISVS 11): Potency of Vernacular Settlements. Routledge.
- Shankar, P. (n.d.). Public Landscape Spaces and Public Health in Urban India [Invited presentation]. International Conference on Public Health -2021 Organised by Navrachana University & University of Arizona, India.
- Shankar, P. (2021). Undergraduate Landscape Program, Navrachana University, Vadodara. LA Journal, 67, 61–65.
- Shankar, P. (2016). Decoding the cultural landscape of Badami- towards sustainability. In National conference on innovation for development and sustainability Organised by Navrachana University, India
Conferences/Seminars
International
- Shankar, P. (2024). Dwelling and landscape setting: Continuity of cultural ideas in the dwellings of Udaipur. 11th Seminar on Vernacular Settlements (ISVS 11): Potency of Vernacular Settlements, Organised by Navrachana University, India
- Shankar, P. (2021). Public Landscape Spaces and Public Health in Urban India [Invited presentation]. International Conference on Public Health, Organised by Navrachana University & University of Arizona, India.
- Shankar, P. (2016). Decoding the cultural landscape of Badami- towards sustainability. National conference on innovation for development and sustainability, Organised by Navrachana University, India
Professional Affiliations /Membership
- Co-opted member, Managing Committee, Gujarat Chapter, Indian Society of Landscape Architects (2024-2026)
- Chairperson, Managing Committee, Gujarat Chapter, Indian Society of Landscape Architects (2022-2024)
- Associate Member, Indian Society of Landscape Architects (since 2005)
