Virasat Foundation was established in 1995 by Parul Zaveri and the late Nimish Patel. Its primary objective is to disseminate their experiences and expertise accumulated from four decades of architectural practice in order to restore the relevance of traditional decision-making processes in the design and construction of contemporary buildings. Virasat Foundation actively engages in research and experimentation on the use of traditional materials, technologies, crafts, and execution processes, drawing on the knowledge and wisdom of traditional artisans and craftspeople who have been working for centuries, long before cement was introduced in India at the beginning of the 20th century. 

During their visits to historic communities and old towns, they became curious about the endurance of these historical buildings, the level of human comfort within and outside them, the immense diversity of their articulation, and the variety in their aesthetic language.Questions to the academia or the architectural and engineering fraternity did not offer any satisfactory answers to quench this curiosity. Then in 1985, during interactions with traditional craft persons and artisans while working on the preparation of policies “For the Conservation of Walled City of Udaipur as a whole”, they received answers to their queries. They further explored these learnings during their visits to other settlements and cities. This was the genesis of the establishment of Virasat Foundation. 

Till 2010, their experiences in applying these traditional knowledge in the contemporary built environment did not get any substantial recognition in the education curricula of the architectural schools of India. So under the aegis of Virasat Foundation and with help from NASA Office Bearers, the idea of UCP Trophy was mooted to spread the vast reservoir of traditional knowledge and wisdom to young architecture students through active engagement and hands-on experience of crafts across various local regions of India.