Dhiru Thadani, AIA, CNU
Dhiru Thadani, 202.321.8655, dathadani@gmail.com, Washingon D.C.
Dhiru Thadani
Dhiru A. Thadani, AIA is a consultant, architect, urbanist, and educator who has been in practice since 1980, and has worked on projects in Asia, Europe and North and Central America. Mr. Thadani was Principal and Director of Urban Design and Town Planning at Ayers/Saint/Gross from 2002 to 2009 and Design Partner in the Thadani Hetzel Partnership from 1987 to 2002. He has maintained a diversified practice in architecture and urban design since 1981, and worked in North and Central America, Europe and Asia. His experience includes urban design, town planning, architectural design, interior design, landscape design, construction management, graphic design, and rendering. In addition, Mr. Thadani has taught at various institutions in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Since its formation in 1993, he has been a charter member of the Congress for the New Urbanism, and was appointed to the Board in 2005.
Education
Master of Architecture
Catholic University of America, 1978
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Catholic University of America, 1976
Cathedral and John Connon High School
Division: First Class, 1970
Continuing Education Classes, 1980 to present:
Catholic University of America
Harvard University
Maryland Institute College of Art
National Association of Photoshop Professionals
National Building Museum
University of Maryland
University of Miami
Affiliations:
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
American Planning Association (APA)
American Society of Engineers from India
Asian Indian Architects Association
Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU)
Board Member
National Building Museum
Professional Circle Member
International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISoCaRP)
Teaching
Catholic University of America (CUA)
Asst. Professor of Architecture, 1980-86
CUA Foreign Studies Program in Spain
Director, 1982
CUA Graduate Thesis Research
Director, 1991
University of Miami
Visiting Critic, 1993
University of Maryland
Adjunct Professor of Architecture, 1992-94
Symposia
“Their Brilliant Kriers”
In June 2009, Mr. Thadani organized and moderated a session at CNU 17 which featured Rob and Léon Krier discussing the influences and development of their architecture and urban design principles. The concluding project at the session was the Cité Judiciaire Luxembourg, a 17-year effort that both brothers collaborated on. In October 2010, a lecture tour of North and Central America is planned featuring the Krier brothers and Mr. Thadani, discussing traditional principles of architecture and urbanism.
“CNU XI: Ideals to Reality: The Evolving City”
Mr. Thadani was instrumental in organizing the first meeting of the Congress for the New Urbanism in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1993. He has actively participated in all seventeen congresses and was Chair of the host committee for the eleventh congress which was held in Washington DC, from June 19 - 22, 2003.
“The Idea of New Towns”
Lecturer and participant in two day symposium to address issues of rapid global urbanization, the design of new towns, the ability of contemporary society to ‘make’ a New Town, and the validity of traditional principles in the contemporary context. The symposium was sponsored by the Max Mueller Bhavan and the Urban Design Research Institute at the Prince of Wales Museum in Bombay on February 21 and 22, 1997.
“Making Towns: Principles & Techniques”
Conceived and coordinated a lecture series and publication of a catalogue focusing on the design and planning of new towns. Lecturers and contributors to the catalogue included: Peter Katz; Daniel Solomon; Victor Dover; Andres Duany; and Tony Hiss. The lectures were hosted by the School of Architecture, University of Maryland in the Fall Semester 1993.
“Five Architects: Twenty Years Later”
Conceived and coordinated a lecture series, exhibition, and publication of a catalogue commemorating the 1972 publication of Five Architects. Professor Kenneth Frampton, who contributed one of the essays in the original book, gave the introductory lecture to the series. Peter Eisenman, Michael Graves, Charles Gwathmey, and Richard Meier lectured during the Fall Semester 1992, and John Hejduk delivered the final lecture in the series in the Spring Semester 1993. Exhibitions of the work of the Five were installed to coincide with the lecture series. The lectures and exhibitions were hosted at the School of Architecture, University of Maryland.
“Building the City III: Where Nature and the City Meet”
Coordinated the third of three annual symposia at the Smithsonian Institution, to commemorate the bicentennial of Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s plan for Washington, DC in 1991. Speakers included: Leon Krier, Steven Peterson, Andres Duany, Lawrence Speck, Carroll William Westfall, Jack Burnham, Diana Agrest, Patrick Pinnell, and was moderated by Steven W. Hurtt, April 1991.
