Art & Architecture Research Development & Education [AARDE] Foundation
About Us
AARDE (Art & Architecture Research, Development and Education) Foundation is a not-for-profit architecture and design service organisation committed to providing life-enhancing services to build a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable future. The Foundation was established with a team of eminent professionals as Trustees and registered as the Trust under Indian Trust Acts 1882AD at Sub-Registrar Office, Saidapet, Chennai, India. Since 2009 AARDE Foundation is actively involved in its mission to enhance values through architecture and design services. The foundation works on two platforms:
1) RURAL: AARDE is actively involved in the promotion and conservation of Pulicat Lagoon, which is considered to be the second largest brackish water lagoon in South Asia measuring 759sq.km. located at 55th km on the north of Chennai.
2) URBAN: AARDE is determined to work towards promoting dialogue architecture fraternity and the public. It is involved in conducting workshops, architecture-film festivals, and lectures.
We work for the conservation of Coromandel Coast Wetlands
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Vision
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Betterment of underprivileged by creating employment opportunities through training and workshops
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Identification and development of tourist generative potentials through promoting India’s ancient art forms, craft and cultural activities
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Initiations of the forum for discussion on urban planning, architectural and environmental issues affecting our cities, people, and the environment
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Promote health care and welfare activities to the needy by secular and democratic value systems of universal character
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Promote research-based activities in pure and applied sciences and indigenous technology
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Promote and support creativity and exploration of fine arts, applied arts, performing arts, literature and humanities
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Empowerment through education at various levels and categories as well as by re-training youth in vocational activities like making furniture, utility articles and toys from bamboo
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Undertake activities in the areas of environmental management, town planning and heritage conservation.
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To promote tourism and cultural heritage by renovation and restoration of heritage buildings and environment
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Identify heritage buildings including places of worship anywhere in India and prevent their decay/demolition for commercial purposes by rallying public support and getting the public involved in the restoration process through donations and other help.
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To collaborate, coordinate with any institutions or agencies
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To carry out all the above activities without any prejudice of caste, creed, gender, and community etc.
Founder Trustee:
Ar. Xavier Benedict
M.Arch; MBA (Lums UK)
Architect Xavier Benedict graduated from School of Architecture and Planning (SAP), Guindy, Chennai. Completed his post-graduation from SAP, Anna University, Chennai, and MBA from Lancaster University Management School, UK. He is a member of ICOMOS-India and IUCN-CEM. Received fellowships from Erasmus University, The Netherlands, in 2011 and Tsukuba University, Japan, in 2018. He regularly publishes research articles and papers in leading national newspapers and international journals.
He is the Founder Trustee of Art and Architecture Research Development and Education (AARDE) Foundation. The Foundation is actively involved in the promotion and conservation of the second largest water body in India, which covers an area of 759 sq.km. Based in Pulicat, the organization maintains Pulicat-Museum creating awareness among the inhabitants and visitors. As a member of UN-Habitat under the World Urban Campaign, he organizes various annual events and activities regularly including Catumaram race on World Wetlands Day. More than 120 fisher-women are being empowered through his Foundation with traditional palm-leaf craft.
He is also the Principal Architect of m/s Anameka Architects and Designers, Chennai. The firm has accomplished various scale of projects around the country. Including – SRM Public School, Nandivaram; Kudankulam Nuclear Power Corporation Ltd Township KK2-6 Master-Plan; SRM IT-Park; CDAC IT-Park, Hyderabad; SRM-University Building; IIT-M National Center for Combustion, Chennai; and TATA Realty and Infrastructure Ltd. Ramanujam IT-SEZ (Liaison Architect), Chennai.
Member of
IUCN-CEM
ICOMOS-India
Bombay Natural History Society
Association of British Scholars
YMCA
Photographic Society of Madras