About Us
Vasturchna Architects is a Himachal Pradesh–based architectural and planning studio founded by Ar. Salochana Dhiman, one of the region’s pioneering women architects. Today, the practice is nurtured further by her daughter Ar. Swati Dhiman, an Urban and Environmental Planner and passionate advocate of sustainable living.
With over three decades of experience, Vasturchna has shaped homes, resorts, institutions, religious spaces, and commercial buildings across the Himalayas. Each project reflects an unwavering commitment to cultural sensitivity, local materials, and climate-responsive, sustainable architecture.
“Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.” – Frank Gehry
Our Philosophy
At Vasturchna, architecture is not just about structure — it is about soul. We believe every building must be built with care for the land, the user, and the community; use natural, breathable materials; minimize cement and concrete; source locally; and respect regional culture and traditional art forms.
“The Himalayan house is a living organism — it breathes, it warms, it protects, and it belongs.”
Our Approach
Every site tells a story. Every client has a unique need. Every design must respond to both. We lay immense emphasis on site selection — orientation, sun path, wind direction, terrain, approach roads, and surrounding ecology all shape our design movement. In the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh, these factors become even more critical.
- Site Suitability Analysis
- Site Planning & Design
- Building Block Planning
- Facade & Aesthetics
- Interior Design
Our client-centric ethos means we value space and the monetary investment each client makes. We recommend only what is practical, functional, and resource-optimized. The optimum is the best.
Fact: In Himachal Pradesh, traditional kath-kuni (timber-laced stone) architecture has survived for centuries, withstanding earthquakes and harsh climates — a testament to local wisdom , but we understand that it is a highly resource intensive architectural style and today's day and age requires modern, optimum and concious choices .
What We Offer
- Architectural Design – Contextual, sustainable design for homes, resorts, public spaces, and institutions.
- Planning & Environmental Consultation – Urban planning, infrastructure design, and environmental impact assessments.
- Sustainable Material Integration – Mud, lime, stone, timber, and other alternative construction techniques.
- Artisanal Detailing – Lime murals, carved metalwork, scrap art, and pigment-based finishes.
- Project Implementation – Design-to-execution support, including low-cost housing and regenerative community projects.
Noteworthy Projects
Hotel Achhman Rivera – Dharamshala
Sustainable Hill Resort – Nainidhar, Bir
Revitalization of Naina Devi Temple – Rewalsar
Chillaru Resort – Ochghat, Solan
World Wide Township – Kiarighat, Solan
Redevelopment Plan – British Resort, Shimla
…and many more across Himachal & North India
“The hill architect is a custodian of slopes and skies — their lines must follow the mountains, not fight them.”
Our Team
Ar. Salochana Dhiman
M. Arch | Member COA, IIA, IID, ICOMOS, INTACH | PhD Scholar
Founder & Principal Architect with over 30 years of practice. Pioneer among women architects in Himachal Pradesh. Educator, artist, and researcher currently pursuing her PhD on “Reviving Traditional Earthen Architecture through Integrated Structural and Material Innovations.”
Ar. Swati Dhiman
Architect | Urban & Environmental Planner | Founder – Paarli Dhara
Architect and Urban Planner with over 12 years of experience in sustainable architecture and environmental infrastructure. Founder of Paarli Dhara, an off-grid mud home in Bir that blends traditional techniques with contemporary planning.
Our Values
- Sustainability is not a style — it is a responsibility.
- Innovation must serve people, not markets.
- True architecture reflects the spirit of its place.
- Beauty lies in craftsmanship, not cost.
- Simple living, local building.
“We live so we consume, but we live to create. Architecture is our way of giving back to the land that shapes us.”