Preserve
the past,
rebuild the future
Saraf Foundation
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.
HERITAGE is the Foundation’s custodial arm — the engine of documentation, preservation and knowledge-sharing.
Our story begins with the dynamic restoration of two iconic wonders of Kathmandu Valley – Lal Durbar and Taragaon Hotel. Along with preserving our tangible heritage, we also archive the intangible, documenting Nepal’s shifting architecture across time.
Our NEXT Centres are design-led interventions for the future
Our self-sustaining centers address a specific local environmental or social challenge, and are simultaneously visitor destinations, research hubs, and replicable models for responsible development.
