Draft:Amrita Mahindroo

Amrita Mahindroo was born in Amritsar, India with her family later migrating to Australia in the wake of the targeted civil unrest in India, known as the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. She received her Masters of Architecture from the University of Melbourne  in 2005 and her Masters in Architecture and Urban Design from  MIT, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2011. She spent a number of formative years of her career in London and subsequently Paris, working in notable offices, including that of Pritzker prize winner Shigeru Ban.

In 2012, Amrita Mahindroo established DROO in London later merging in 2018 with Michel da Costa Gonçalves (formerly RARE) to create DROO – Da Costa Mahindroo Architects.

The practice has gained international recognition for key projects such as Westminster's VI Castle Lane{{Cite web |title=Curvilinear bow windows emerge in the Victorian context of London |url=https://www.domusweb.it/en/architecture/gallery/2019/04/24/curvilinear-bow-windows-emerge-in-the-victorian-context-of-london.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=www.domusweb.it |language=en-gb}}, winner of the Architecture MasterPrize{{Cite web |title=VI Castle Lane |url=https://architectureprize.com/winners/winner.php?id=4199 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=architectureprize.com}} for its playful reinterpretation of bay windows, the seaside Arts & Crafts reinvention of the Treehouse{{Cite web |title=Deauville Treehouse, Deauville, France – Europe 40 Under40 |url=https://europe40under40.com/project/deauville-treehouse-deauville-france/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |language=en-US}} in Deauville, the "crumpled paper" facade of the Paintworks{{Cite web |date=2019-12-16 |title=DROO completes London building with "crumpled paper" facade |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2019/12/16/paintworks-droo-crumpled-paper-facade/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Dezeen |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Jiménez |first=Daniela |date=2020-02-06 |title=London's Paper House |url=https://www.construcolor.com/post/london-s-paper-house |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=CONSTRUCOLOR |language=es}}{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Rob |date=2021-12-16 |title=AJ Retrofit Awards 2022 shortlist: Houses and Housing |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/aj-retrofit-awards-2022-shortlist-houses-and-housing |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=The Architects' Journal |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-01-20 |title=The Paintworks - DROO {{!}} The Plan |url=https://www.theplan.it/eng/architecture/the-paintworks-droo-london |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=www.theplan.it |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Fran |date=2020-01-14 |title=DROO completes building with 'crumpled paper' façade in east London |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/buildings/droo-completes-building-with-crumpled-paper-facade-in-east-london |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=The Architects' Journal |language=en}} projects in Hoxton and the charred timber cladded ARC Polo farm{{Cite web |date=2024-01-13 |title=DROO adds charred-timber clubhouse to polo field in Surrey |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2024/01/13/droo-arc-polo-farm-clubhouse-surrey/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Dezeen |language=en}} in Surrey.

Amrita has been involved in key projects such as the extension of the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, the master planning of Anatolia College Campus in Thessaloniki. File:Bethnal Green Town Hall, London 6806217506.jpgThe Town Hall Hotel,{{Cite web |date=6 February 2012 |title="The Town Hall Hotel, London". Yatzer, Tina Komninou, 6 February 2012. |url=https://www.yatzer.com/Town-Hall-Hotel-Rare-London-UK |access-date=2012-02-06 |website=www.yatzer.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=18 February 2012 |title="Unique display of contemporary and Edwardian architecture: Town Hall Hotel". Pursuitist. |url=https://pursuitist.com/unique-display-of-edwardian-and-contemporary-architecture-town-hall-hotel/ |access-date=2012-05-15 |website=www.pursuitist.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title="Une ancienne mairie transformée en hôtel de luxe." Maison a Part, 15 March 2012. |url=https://www.maisonapart.com/edito/amenager-decorer/salon-salle-a-manger-bureau/une-ancienne-mairie-transformee-en-hotel-de-luxe-6635.php |access-date=2012-03-14 |website=www.maisonapart.com |language=fr}}{{Cite web |date=8 February 2012 |title=Town Hall Hotel. Archilovers. |url=https://www.archilovers.com/projects/49354/town-hall-hotel.html |access-date=2018-10-31 |website=www.archilovers.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Town Hall Hotel & Apartments, London 2010. AJ Buildings Library. |url=https://www.ajbuildingslibrary.co.uk/projects/display/id/3886 |access-date=2018-10-30 |website=www.ajbuildingslibrary.co.uk |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=A rare find... April 2011, World Architecture News. |url=http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/project/2011/16320/rare-architecture/rare-architecture-in-paris.html |access-date=2011-04-21 |website=www.worldarchitecturenews.com |language=en}} a multipurpose building in Bethnal Green{{Cite web |date=6 May 2011 |title=Town Hall Hotel / ArchDaily, 6 May 2011. |url=https://www.archdaily.com/132945/town-hall-hotel-rare |access-date=2011-05-06 |website=www.archdaily.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title="Bethnal Green Town Hall Hotel". Design Curial, 29 December 2010. |url=http://www.designcurial.com/news/bethnal-green-town-hall-hotel |access-date=2010-12-29 |website=www.designcurial.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Victoria + Albert choisi pour équiper l'Hôtel Bethnal Green Town Hall de Londres Une rénovation initiée par des architectes français. October 2011. |url=http://www.societebleuciel.com/IMG/pdf/V_A_BethnalGreenHotel.pdf |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015354/http://www.societebleuciel.com/IMG/pdf/V_A_BethnalGreenHotel.pdf |archive-date=November 1, 2018 |access-date=2018-10-31 |website=www.societebleuciel.com |language=fr}} won the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Grand Final Building Conservation Award and the Project of the Year in 2011 and a RIBA Award.{{Cite web |date=19 May 2011 |title="RIBA Award Winners Announced". Dezeen, 2011. |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2011/05/19/2011-riba-awards-winners-announced/ |access-date=2018-10-31 |website=www.dezeen.com |language=en}} Originally built in 1910 and extended in 1937,{{Cite web |date=20 November 2015 |title=Town Hall Hotel & Apartments London: History lesson. By Sheila Lam. Montecristo Magazine. |url=http://montecristomagazine.com/travel/town-hall-hotel-apartments-london |access-date=2018-10-31 |website=www.montecristomagazine.com |language=en}} the Bethnal Green Town Hall is a Grade II listed building has been refurbished and extended with new 'skin' added to its existing structure,{{Cite web |date=5 February 2014 |title=Perforated Skin Design. The Architects Newspaper, Emily Hooper, 5 February 2014. |url=https://archpaper.com/2014/02/rare-architectures-town-hall-envelope-design/ |access-date=2014-02-05 |website=www.archpaper.com |language=en}} concealing added new floors. Several sculptures by Henry Poole were retained in the development. The Times said: "The makeover is in a modern manner but done with respect for the old work, which is either conserved intact or set off by startling interventions."{{Cite news |last1=Binney |first1=Marcus |title="Town hall restored to past glory as chic hotel". The Times, Marcus Binney, 2 April 2010. |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/town-hall-restored-to-past-glory-as-chic-hotel-b3hvsthk5r9 |access-date=2010-04-02 |website=www.thetimes.co.uk |language=en}} Sleeper Magazine said: "The Town Hall Hotel & Apartments combines a visionary extension and sensitive restoration of the building, which has stood in the heart of London's East End since Edwardian times."{{Cite web |title="Town Hall Hotel & Apartments: Bethnal Green London". Sleeper Magazine, Matt Turner, September / October 2010. |url=https://www.sleepermagazine.com |access-date=2010-10-01 |website=www.sleepermagazine.com |language=en}}

Other notable projects include, CentralFestival EastVille destination mall and fashion arcade in Bangkok, the Live/Work City Approach{{Cite web |date=2021-12-16 |title=DROO creates space for work and study in City Approach apartments |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2021/12/16/city-approach-live-work-apartments-droo/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Dezeen |language=en}} project in Old Street, the winning entry of the Al Ula Architects in Residence program, The Hawthorn residence{{Cite web |date=2016-03-09 |title=DROO Projects's apartments in Melbourne with golden facades |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2016/03/09/boutique-apartment-building-droo-projects-hawthorn-melbourne-australia-renovation/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Dezeen |language=en}} in Melbourne, the Glass House{{Cite web |last=News |first=Ellie Stathaki last updated in |date=2019-06-12 |title=DROO adds geometric glass extension to East London townhouse |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/east-london-townhouse-droo-architects-london |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=wallpaper.com |language=en}} in London. F&B projects include Michelin starred Viajante in London for former elBulli chef Nuno Mendes, Porte 12 in Paris – owned by André Chiang{{Cite web |date=7 October 2014 |title=Porte 12 in Paris |url=https://www10.aeccafe.com/blogs/arch-showcase/2014/10/07/porte-12-in-paris-france-by-rare-architecture/ |access-date=2014-10-07 |website=www.aeccafe.com |language=en}} and Londrino{{Cite web |last=Features |first=Emilee Tombs last updated in |date=2018-01-24 |title=Londrino — London, UK |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/travel/uk/london/restaurants/londrino |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=wallpaper.com |language=en}} restaurant for chef Leandro Carreira shortlisted for the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards{{Cite web |title=Londrino, September 2018. Restaurant & Bar Design Awards. |url=https://restaurantandbardesignawards.com/2018/entries/londrino |access-date=2018-09-30 |website=www.restaurantandbardesignawards.com |language=en}} Wallpaper* magazine.{{Cite web |date=24 January 2018 |title="Londrino restaurant, London, UK". Wallpaper*, Emilee Tombs, 24 January 2018. |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/travel/uk/london/restaurants/londrino |access-date=2018-01-24 |website=www.wallpaper.com |language=en}}

Of the VI Castle Lane,{{Cite web |date=4 May 2018 |title="Castle Lane, un projet immobilier à Londres signé Saradar Family Office (SFO)". Le Commerce du Levant, 4 May 2018. |url=https://www.lecommercedulevant.com/article/28259-castle-lane-un-projet-immobilier-a-londres-signe-saradar-family-office-sfo |access-date=2018-05-04 |website=www.lecommercedulevant.com |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=6 Castle Lane, London. Parmabrook. |url=https://www.parmarbrook.com/pf/castle-lane/ |access-date=2018-10-31 |website=www.parmarbrook.com |language=en}} Architectures CREE magazine said: "Innovation exists in tradition. Cultural heritage is strongly present in this bow window concept. The double bend forms a thick façade to create a revisited form of the bow window."{{Cite web |title=Collector 2016, Architectures CREE. July 2016. |url=http://www.ressources-caue.fr/Record.htm?record=19245020124910632029&context=1 |access-date=2016-07-30 |website=www.ressources-caue.fr |language=fr}}

DROO has been recognised amongst the most innovative emerging architectural offices, Architizer A+Award Special Mention,{{Cite web |title=The 13th Annual A+Awards Brought to You by Architizer |url=https://awards.architizer.com/a/page/winners/special-mention-resources#fact-sheet |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=A+Awards |language=en}} Dezeen Emerging Architect Long List,https://www.dezeen.com/awards/2020/longlists/droo-da-costa-mahindroo-architects/ and Archello London's best offices{{Cite web |title=25 best architecture firms in London |url=https://archello.com/news/25-best-architecture-firms-in-london |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Archello |language=en}} registry.

The practice has received the FAIRE 2022 grant by the City of Paris Centre for Urbanism, Pavillon de l'Arsenal.

Amrita was a contributor to Thresholds 40: SOCIO: Events, Islands, Rooms (SA+P Press, {{ISBN|978-0-9835082-1-2}}) and Testing to Failure: Toronto Portlands (SA+P Press, {{ISBN|978-0-9836654-0-3|invalid1=yes}}).

• Winner, the Architecture MasterPrize, VI Castle Lane
• Winner, European 40 under 40 Award
• FAIRE 2022 Award, Pavillon de l'Arsenal{{Cite web |title=FAIRE CLUB 2022 {{!}} FAIRE {{!}} Conférences {{!}} Vidéos {{!}} Pavillon de l'Arsenal |url=https://www.pavillon-arsenal.com/fr/arsenal-tv/conferences/faire/12634-faire-club-2022.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=www.pavillon-arsenal.com |language=fr}}
• Winner Female Frontier Awards, Special Mention for Innovation{{Cite web |title=Amrita Mahindroo |url=https://www.wanfemalefrontierawards.com/finalists/amrita-mahindroo-e0011 |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=WAN Female Frontier |language=en}}
• Dezeen Emerging Architect Long List{{Cite web |title={{!}} Longlists {{!}} Dezeen Awards 2020 |url=https://www.dezeen.com/awards/2020/longlists/droo-da-costa-mahindroo-architects/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Dezeen |language=en}}
• BD, Architect of the Year Award, Finalist Young Architect Award{{Cite web |last=2020-07-10T15:34:00+01:00 |title=Revealed: The 2020 Architect of the Year Awards shortlists |url=https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/revealed-the-2020-architect-of-the-year-awards-shortlists/5106925.article |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Building Design |language=en}}
• Winner, RIBA Award, Town Hall Hotel{{Cite web |date=19 May 2011 |title="RIBA Award Winners Announced". Dezeen, 2011. |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2011/05/19/2011-riba-awards-winners-announced/ |access-date=2011-05-19 |website=www.dezeen.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=19 May 2011 |title=2011 RIBA Awards winners announced. Dezeen, May 2011. |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2011/05/19/2011-riba-awards-winners-announced/ |access-date=2011-05-19 |website=www.dezeen.com |language=en}}
• Winner, RICS London Award for Building Conservation, Town Hall Hotel{{Cite web |date=20 March 2015 |title="The wonderfully grand Town Hall Hotel is a source of civic pride in Bethnal Green..." We Heart 20 March 2016. |url=https://www.we-heart.com/2015/03/20/town-hall-hotel-bethnal-green-london/ |access-date=2016-03-20 |website=www.we-heart.com |language=en}}
• Winner, RICS Project of the Year Award, Town Hall Hotel{{Cite web |date=20 March 2015 |title="The wonderfully grand Town Hall Hotel is a source of civic pride in Bethnal Green..." We Heart 20 March 2015. |url=https://www.we-heart.com/2015/03/20/town-hall-hotel-bethnal-green-london/ |access-date=2015-03-20 |website=www.we-heart.com |language=en}}
• Shortlisted, Dezeen Awards, Housing category for VI Castle Lane{{Cite web |date=26 July 2018 |title=Dezeen Awards 2018 architecture longlist announced. Dezeen, September 2018. |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2018/07/26/dezeen-awards-architecture-longlist-announced/ |access-date=2018-10-31 |website=www.dezeen.com |language=en}}
• Shortlisted, The Brit List 2018{{Cite web |date=3 October 2018 |title=Brit List 2018 Longlist announced. Hotel Designs, October 2018. |url=https://hoteldesigns.net/industry-news/brit-list-2018-shortlist-announced/ |access-date=2018-12-11 |website=www.hoteldesigns.net |language=en}}

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