Aathira Peedikaparambil Somasundaran

(she/her)

Research

Aathira’s research interests center on the transposition of modernist architectural principles to the Middle East, particularly focusing on the complex interactions between architectural and artistic practices in interwar Beirut. This period is of significant interest as it marks a crucial moment in the history of modernism, where European avant-garde movements and architectural ideals intersected with the region's socio-political landscape, influencing the development of architecture and urbanism in the Middle East.

Aathira is exploring how modernist architectural ideas were adapted, reinterpreted, and implemented in the context of Beirut, a city at the crossroads of Western and Eastern cultural exchanges. She investigates the ways in which architects and artists from various backgrounds collaborated and engaged with modernist aesthetics, resulting in a unique fusion of local traditions and international design movements. The study examines not only the architectural outcomes but also the broader cultural exchanges that took place between European artists and Lebanese architects during this period.

As part of her research, Aathira is conducting extensive archival research in key cities such as Paris and Beirut, where primary sources, including architectural plans, correspondence, and artistic works, provide invaluable insights into the intellectual and cultural exchange that occurred in the interwar period. In Paris, Aathira explored the archives of influential modernist figures, whose ideas helped shape the global discourse on architecture, while in Beirut, she examined local archives to understand how these ideas were received, transformed, and integrated into the local context.

Through this research, Aathira aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how modernism was transposed across geographical and cultural boundaries, shedding light on the hybridization of architectural and artistic languages that emerged in Beirut during the interwar years. The findings are poised to offer valuable insights into the broader dynamics of architectural globalization and the ways in which architecture is influenced by cultural exchange, social movements, and historical contexts.

Teaching

I.     Graduate/ Associate Tutor in Architecture – Cardiff University (Since October 2022- Present)

Modules undertaken:

  i.     Issues In Contemporary Architecture | Oct 2022 – Dec 2024

Seminars, Tuitorials, Formative and Summative assessment

 ii.     Building Through Time | Since Oct 2022 

Workshops, Tuitorials, Summative assessmen

iii.     Art 502|Msc Sustainable Building Conservation Jan 2022 – Feb 2022 - Summative Assessment Of 12x 4000-Word Repor

iv.     Architectural Design 1- Bsc1 Semester 2 Crits | 24 March 2023 

 v.     Architectural Design 1- Indesign/Photoshop | 26 January 2023 

Biography

Aathira Somasundaran began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Design from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai. Following her studies, she accumulated seven years of professional experience in interior design and landscape architecture in the UAE, working on diverse projects that deepened her practical understanding of the built environment. She later pursued a specialization in Space Architecture at TU Wien, Vienna, which expanded her expertise into innovative and interdisciplinary realms

Building on her professional and academic foundation, Aathira took up a PhD in Architecture at Cardiff University, where her research explores the interlink between architectural history, modernism, and the past, aiming to uncover their relevance in shaping the architecture of the future.

Alongside her research, Aathira serves as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Architecture at Cardiff University. In this role, she supports undergraduate courses by leading discussions, critiquing student work, and providing detailed feedback and guidance. These responsibilities have honed her teaching strategies and assessment methods, enhancing her ability to mentor students effectively in their academic and professional development.

Aathira’s areas of expertise include the historical and theoretical foundations of modern architecture, architectural design, and the interdisciplinary connections between art, architecture, and urbanism.

Academic positions

  I.     Graduate/ Associate Tutor in Architecture – Cardiff University (Since October 2022- Present)

Modules undertaken:

  i.     Issues In Contemporary Architecture | Oct 2022 – Oct 2024

 ii.     Building Through Time | Since Oct 2022 

iii.     Art 502|Msc Sustainable Building Conservation Jan 2022 – Feb 2022 - Summative Assessment Of 12x 4000-Word Reports

iv.     Architectural Design 1- Bsc1 Semester 2 Crits | 24 March 2023

 v.     Architectural Design 1- Indesign/Photoshop | 26 January 2023 

Speaking engagements

  I.     Uses of Modernism conference, Ghent, 20-22 September ‘23

II.     11th Annual International Conference on Humanities & Arts in a Global World, Athens,3-6 January ‘24

III.   75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC-2024), Milan, 14-18 October ‘24

IV.   Artificial Intelligence Research (AIR), Dubai, 10-11 December '24