Tribhuvan University

Institute of Engineering
PURWANCHAL CAMPUS

Submitted By:
NAME: DILLISHWAR BISHWAKARMA
ROLL NO: 073/BARCH/08

An essay on:
Conservation and modernisation

Submitted to:
Department of Architecture
AR. SANJAY MAHARJAN
Abstract
Protecting the historical heritage is a very important task because it makes up the identity of
the society and the cities. Considering the future, the most important problem recently is how
to protect the historical heritage, and how to benefit from it. And as an answer to this question,
by benefiting from our cultural background, it is necessary to provide the contemporary
requirements and to transfer this attitude to the future generations. Throughout the time,
functions may change but old buildings may stay. This situation requires that the old buildings
are open to a new contemporary uses. Nowadays, the variations in the functions loaded onto
the places we live in are frequently put on the agenda due to the requirements which are
continuously changed and developed by social and cultural effects. While faced with this kind
of functional variations in order to protect the mean values, the scope of this study is described
in a systematically manner as: (1) re-functioning process; (2) adaptation of the new function to
the old building; and (3) design concept in the revalorization.

Key words: Modernization, reuse, Conservation process

Introduction
Conservation can be defined as the process of understanding, interpreting and managing the
architectural heritage in order to safely deliver it to posterity. Many of our traditional buildings
are far more charming and posses greater character than their modern counterparts, having been
constructed by skilled craftsmen using high quality natural materials. Such buildings are often
more attractive to certain uses, particularly banks, insurance companies, building societies,
museums, etc. which represent an image of solidity, prestige, and prosperity to any society.

The buildings we live, work and play in are much more than a collection of masonry, metal
and glass. They are symbols which reflect our past and point us towards the future. Our built
environment is shaped by our country’s culture, economy and society. Today, over 99% of the
population of England1 lives within a mile of a listed building, structure or setting. Local
heritage brings value, not just in terms of tourism, but by shaping our views of where we live,
forming our communal identity and giving us a sense of place. But without the right care and
attention, too many of our historic buildings face an uncertain future. Architects accredited in
conservation have an essential role to play in safeguarding our built heritage by using their
expertise to extend its life and enhance its value.

The sustainability of existing buildings is vital to their ongoing use and maintenance. It is
essential that both owners and architects (or professional experts) are sufficiently informed in
their understanding of how these buildings function and how they should be maintained,
repaired and enhanced for future viability, especially in light of the climate crisis and current
demands.
Case study I: Reconstruction of DHARAHARA
Dharahara also called Bhimsen Tower, is a nine story (50.2m) tall tower at the center of
Kathmandu. It was built in 1832A.D. by the Prime Minister of the time, Bhimsen Thapa of
Nepal.Thapa built the tower under the orders of Queen Lalit Tripura Sundari and was a part of
the architecture of Kathmandu recognized by UNESCO.

• After the earthquake In February

2016, the government decided to
rebuild the tower, and Prime
Minister KP Sharma Oli and his
cabinet ministers contributed one
month's salary to the rebuilding.
• A fund called "I will construct
Dharahara" was also established to
collect money which collected
only Rs. 1 crore 95 lakhs for the
reconstruction even after 8 months
of its initiation.

Remains of Dharahara after 2015 Earthquake

• The tower construction process had begun on October 7, 2018 after GIETC- RAMAN
i.e. Nepal-China joint venture companies won and signed the contract for reconstruction
of the iconic tower at Rs. 3.48 billion with the National Reconstruction Authority
(NRA) .
• The government allocated Rs 3.45 billion for the Dharahara project.
• The reconstruction of the landmark tower finally began after Prime Minister KP Oli
laid the foundation stone for Dharahara on Dec 27,2018.
• The new Dharahara complex was designed comprising a mini theater hall, a museum,
a musical fountain, a food court, stone water spouts, souvenir shops and parking.
• The remains of the previous Dharahara will be preserved under a glass covering as a
memorial to those killed in the disaster and the new Dharahara is being constructed next
to it.
• The project had begun with the construction of Dharahara in around 5 to 6 ropanis of
land, now it has been extended in 42.2 ropanis of land after adding the Department of
Nepal Rastra Bank’s Mint and the southern part of Kathmandu Mall in the project.
• The new Dharahara is designed as per its original style, but the construction technology
is modern covering an area of 21,267 square meters and the tower itself is designed to
be 79.2 meters high including the dome and the pinnacle. It will have 22 stories
although it will look like 11 stories from outside.
• Demolition of the southern part of Kathmandu Mall was done.
• The original material; surki chuna (lime mortar) has been replaced with reinforced
concrete to make the structure earthquake resistance.
• Similarly there is addition of elevators in the new monument for easy access to the top.
Case study II: Restoration of Kumbeshwar temple
• A five story temple devoted to lord shiva,
• It was badly damaged especially upper three stories,
• Allocating the budget by government, Department of Archaeology has taken the total
responsibility to conserve the temple.
• Since the first and second storey was found strong enough and not found big damage
by the earthquake, only the upper three storeys are dismantled
• Replacement of plain modern rafter and purlin under the roof
• Rendering the roofs leak proof
• Almost all artistic wooden elements acquire from the original temple are being reused
with necessary conservation
Conclusion:
Conservation of our old heritage is very important for the conservation of our culture, religion
and our historical Nepalese values. Conservation process of our heritage have resulted on the
adaption of modernization.
the historical and cultural heritage belongs to all people. We each have a right and responsibility
to understand, appreciate and conserve its universal values. Our past is the most important
resource in creating our future, and leads us to integrate our cultural identities with our new
living environments. Obviously, the cultural and historical values that one cultural landscape
or city owns form the local identity of that settlement.

Keeping and reusing historic buildings have long-term benefits for the communities that value
them. When done well, adaptive reuse can restore and maintain the heritage significance of a
building and help to ensure its survival. Rather than falling into disrepair through neglect or
being rendered unrecognizable, heritage buildings that are sympathetically recycled can
continue to be used and appreciated.
References:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330843125_CONSERVATION_OF_CULTURAL_
HERITAGE_IN_KATHMANDU_VALLEY_A_STAKEHOLDER_PERSPECTIVE

https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/30148/8/Hutt%20Revealing%20What%20is%20Dear.pdf

https://risingnepaldaily.com/main-news/reconstruction-of-dharahara-tower-moving-smoothly

ancient_nepal_40_09 Principle of Conservation of Ancient Monument with reference to Nepal