Preserve
the past,
rebuild the future
Saraf Foundation
The Saraf Foundation is committed to preserving Himalayan culture and built
heritage through collaborative projects and archival research.
Each initiative is driven by a sustainable ethos – an approach that focuses on the impact of urbanization on natural and historical landscapes, especially in Nepal.
Established by Namita and Arun Saraf, our foundation emerges from a longstanding love for the indigenous knowledge of local communities – their ways of life – that are often relegated to the periphery of contemporary discourse. Addressing this asymmetry, our manifesto foregrounds the vitality of such spaces by making them accessible across the globe.
ARCHIVAL RESEARCH &
BUILT HERITAGE
Our story begins with the dynamic restoration of two iconic wonders of
Kathmandu Valley – Lal Durbar and Taragaon Hotel – built in 1890 and 1972.
Along with preserving our tangible heritage, we also archive the intangible,
documenting Nepal’s shifting architecture across time.
preserve the past
Dynamic Cultural Spaces
The Saraf Foundation strives to reactivate the history of Kathmandu Valley –
beginning with documenting indigenous heritage, we subsequently build
platforms to interpret the narratives of these archival sources in contemporary
time. Our two spaces, Taragaon Next and Sagarmatha Next, lead the discourse
on urbanization, ecology, art, and architecture.
Rebuild the Future
