Bina Bhatia is an Urban Designer and Architect, currently based in New York. She completed her five years Bachelors degree in Architecture from Academy of Architecture, India and recently graduated with a Masters in the Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University,New York.
Soon after completing her undergrad, she co-founded The Blank Slate Design Studio whose interest lies in not just embracing, but challenging traditional methodologies of design and built typology and reinterpreting traditional architecture and urbanism in a contemporary context. At the core of their work is their faith in indigenous climate-responsive and sustainable architecture that is functional, aesthetic and timeless. BSDS believes in looking at a building not merely as an egoistic monument but rather as a place making tool embedded in the urban fabric and responsive to the public realm.
As an Architect she has worked at MO-OF, Mumbai and Castellino and Marchese Architects, Auroville. She has worked on multiscalar projects including master planning, Institution design and residential bungalows and small scale interiors of private apartments and offices. Some of the projects she has been involved are School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Vijaywada, Myst, Kasauli - a Tata housing Project, The Big Bang Bar, Mumbai and a Resort in Daman.
She has also has attended workshops on sustainable practices in Auroville, India. Her undergraduate thesis, Emotions in Architecture, received a special mention by the Council of Architecture's NIASA in the 'Excellence in Architecture Thesis Awards' category.
Blank Slate Design Studio, Mumbai, IN, Co-founder
Currently engaged in co-developing a master plan for a rural community development project in Shahpur, India in collaboration with the Art of Living Foundation. Engaged in
freelance design and execution of residential and office interior projects.
Academy of Architecture, Mumbai, Mumbai, IN, Visiting Faculty - Building Materials and History of Architecture
Restructured traditional course contents and introduced current concepts and technologies focusing on practical application and field based study projects. Introduced an integrated approach in design, history and building materials.
Mobile Offices (MO-OF), Mumbai, IN, Project Architect
Engaged in design development and prepared Approval, Tender and Working drawings while co-ordinating with MEP & structural consultants to ensure adherence to building codes. Revised project specifications and BOQ’s and conducted in-depth research on materials and created 3D Visualizations with Vray. Managed cost estimates, project scheduling and material procurement.
Castellino & Marchese Architects, Auroville, Auroville, Intern
Conceptualized and engaged in design development of residential projects. Responsibilities included delivering drawings, 3D and physical modelling, construction details and client correspondence.
dwp - design worldwide partnership, Manama, BH, Intern
Reorganized material library and assisted in preparing material boards for clients.
William Kinne Travel Fellowship, GSAPP, Grant
William Kinne Travel Fellowship for ‘Informal Morphologies: Learning from Appropriated
Public Spaces, Mexico City’| GSAPP, Columbia University
Meenal Panchal Architecture Award for Best Thesis Projec, 1st Place
Meenal Panchal Architecture Award for Best Thesis Project for ‘Emotions in Architecture:
Revisiting Urban Prisons and Reintegrating former Prisoners within the Society’| MPAA
International House Resident Scholarship, Scholarship
International House Resident Scholarship | International House, New York
Excellence in Architectural Thesis Award |COA NIASA, Honorable Mention
Ethos Archumen 2010, 2nd Place
Western Interface Runner’s Up |Ethos Archumen 2010, The competition consisted of
126 teams in the West Zone and more than 500 teams nation-wide
Urban Redesign Competition, SAARC NASA, Honorable Mention
Urban Redesign Competition, SAARC NASA for ‘Redesigning a Sustainable Indian City for 2030’
Design and Aesthetics Award - AOA,Mumbai, 2nd Place
History of Architecture Award - | AOA, Mumbai, 3rd Place
Citation| GSEN, SAARC NASA, 1st Place
SAARC NASA for ‘ Adaptive Reuse of Capitol Cinema’
Design and Aesthetics Award - |AOA,Mumbai, 2nd Place
Best Overall Academic Performance - 2nd Place|AOA, Mumbai, 2nd Place
Grade 12th GCC topper of 110 schools, 1st Place
Grade 10th School topper, 1st Place
Air India Scholastic Award | Air India Airlines, 1st Place
