The Forgotten Empire

Abstract

A month prior to starting this thesis I was fortunate enough to be selected for a trip to Hampi as part of a summer field research study of traditional architecture in India. It was the most amazing eye opening experience and touched me on a personal level. I was in awe of the unique beauty of this historic environment, but also saddened by the poorly constructed shops and guest houses immediately next to the most prominent historic temple. What touched me most of all, however, were the ruins of the devastated shops that until recently had lined the processional colonnade leading to the main temple site. This remaining debris indicated how devastating the forced evacuation of these local tenants had been. I wanted to help. I wanted to understand how architecture as a discipline might provide an answer.