Architect Vasudha Gokhale works on model for reconstruction of popular joint destroyed in Valentine's Day eve terror attack

She has designs on German Bakery

Architect Vasudha Gokhale works on model for reconstruction of popular joint destroyed in Valentine's Day eve terror attack

Many German Bakery regulars have promised support for the reconstruction of their favourite hangout in the city after its destruction in a bomb blast on Valentine's Day eve. And taking the first step in this direction is city-based architect Dr Vasudha Gokhale.

These days, the 42-year old is busy toying with design ideas as she works on a model for the reconstruction of German Bakery.

Tribute to victims
She says her design will be a tribute to all the people who lost their lives in the terror attack, and will incorporate security features while preserving the charm of the place.

Gokhale, a practising architect who is also a professor at the Dr Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture (BNCA) in Karvenagar, has got in touch with Snehal Kharose, daughter of Smita Kharose, owner of the bakery.

Snehal said she was overwhelmed by Gokhale's gesture.u00a0 "It is a great idea. The bakery will be on its feet soon," said Snehal. "After we see the final design by Gokhale, we will take a call."

The architect's blueprint shows the bakery as a monument, with necessary security measures in place -- it will be well equipped with active and passive devices to prevent a repeat of what happened on February 13.

Anti-terror design
"The proposed plan will also take care of its socio-cultural values," said Gokhale. "The flavour, look and feel of the place, however, will remain the same."u00a0

Gokhale has gone in for what is called anti-sabotage retrofitting design, which she says tackles a number
of issues like open spaces, compound walls, standoff distances, parking, security control measures, fire
resistance, adequate water discharging, access control, electronic surveillance systems and CCTV coverage of the eatery.

"Architecture should adapt to new challenges and Gokhale's efforts to come up with a terrorism-free design by learning from the German Bakery bomb blast will certainly be a great contribution," said Dr Anurag Kashyap, principal, BNCA. "We certainly need such designs in which security measures like CCTVs will not even be spotted by terrorists. Gokhale is working along these lines."

Brigadier Anil Talwalkar, who has been involved with many anti-terrorism design projects, said, "Instead of working in the same old water-tight compartments, Gokhale is doing something concrete for the benefit of society. This type of architecture should grow and we are with her, to help her develop such designs."