Phase II Conservation

Works

University College for

Women (former British
Residency)
Koti, Hyderabad

Progress Report

March 2018

GNHM/HYD/2018-19/HBR2/PR07

Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II
 PROJECT TEAM

STATE ARCHAEOLOGY DEPARTMENT SITE CONSERVATION TEAM

Akhila Udayashankar
N.R. Visalatchy, Director
Apoorva Pillay
B. Narayana , Deputy Director
Anshul Rawat

WORLD MONUMENTS FUND

B. Sarath Chandra
Amita Baig

Ravi Gundu Rao

OSMANIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE FOR WOMEN Anuradha Naik
Prof. Prashanta Athma, Principal Tapan Mittal Deshpande
Prof. Y.L. Srinivas, PRO

ART CONSERVATION SOLUTIONS JEERNODHAR CONSERAVTORS PVT. LTD.

Maninder S Gill
Nilesh Thakkar
Sreekumar Menon
Gautam Ramesh
Pranab Prakash Mohanty
Shibkumar Behera
Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II
 Items of Work
1. Preparatory works

– Preparation of fine lime mortar (niru maal)

– Erection of scaffolding in Entrance Porch

– Erection of horizontal planks in scaffolding inside Durbar Hall

2. Dismantling Works

– Dismantling of deteriorated door frame in Durbar Hall

– Dismantling of metal panels below castellated wooden beams in Entrance porch

– Removal of oil base paint from circular columns in Entrance Porch

– Removal of oil base paint from the rectangular columns in Durbar hall

– Removal of paint layers from wooden railing in Durbar Hall

3. Conservation works

– Re-fixing of damaged door frames

– Grouting of cracks using Lime-based slurry

– Polishing of the wooden door panels and frames

– consolidation of art work in entrance porch

– consolidation of art work in rectangular column

– Consolidation of deteriorated column bases

– consolidation of beam in the western opening at first floor balcony inside Durbar Hall

4. Art Conservation- Consolidation of deteriorated compressed paper ceiling panels

Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II
PREPARATORY WORKS: PREPARATION OF FINE LIME MORTAR

Fine ground lime mortar (neeru

maal) for the art works is being
prepared in the small grinder
for 12hours continuously to
attain the fine consistency
needed for the fine mortar. The
ratio of the mix being 1:2 ( 1
slaked and fine sieved lime : 2
fine sieved sand)

Storage of lime mortar in sealed air Sieving of lime using fine plastic Grinding of mortar in small
tight bags mesh grinder

Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II
PREPARATORY WORKS: ERECTION OF SCAFFOLDING
STAGES OF WORK 1 2
Erected Casurina
scaffolding on the
eastern side of front
facade

Work start date: 14.09.2017

Status: Completed Erection of Casurina scaffolding under progress on the
front facade

DISMANTLING: DETERIORATED DOOR FRAME

STAGES OF WORK → 1 2

The door frames in Entrance Porch had weakened and

The grooves were cleared of dust and loose particles and holes
Work start date:10.03.2018 were not in a condition to carry the load of the two
were made in the masonry wall for metal holdfasts to fix the
Status: Completed wooden panelled doors and one metal door affixed to
door frames.
them. They were dismantled carefully to be repaired.
Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II ENTRANCE PORCH
DISMANTLING : METAL PANELS BELOW CASTELLATED BEAM
STAGES OF WORK →

The metal panels were

dismantled carefully by the
carpenters while ensuring that
the sheets are not bent during
the process.
The panels were fixed to the
wooden beam with screws and
had a wooden beading along
the edges.

The panels were deteriorated

due to moisture absorption
and were in a distressed state.
Work start date: 29.03.2018
Status: Completed Deteriorated metal panels
below castellated beam The paint layer on the panels is completely damaged and needs to be scoured
carefully.
DISMANTLING: OIL PAINT FROM CIRCULAR COLUMNS
STAGES OF WORK BEFORE AFTER

The deteriorated old Column shaft after

paint layers from removal of old paint
circular column shafts in layer
Entrance Porch were
removed carefully using
Unipeel chemical.

Work start date: 26.03.2018

Status: Ongoing

Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II ENTRANCE PORCH
DISMANTLING: OIL PAINT FROM RECTANGULAR COLUMNS
STAGES OF WORK BEFORE AFTER
The old layers of oil paint on
Manual scraping of the
the rectangular columns in
Durbar Hall had delaminated
paint layers was resulting
from the surface. in significant damage/loss
The lime art work too was of the weakened art
found to be delaminated in work.
places and with weakened After multiple trial and
binding in other area. The consultation with experts,
reason for this was because a team of skilled painters
the lime art work on the were identified to carry
column has been glued to the out the paint removal
surface after the base plaster cautiously using diluted
had been completed thus caustic soda solutions as
Work start date: 13.03.2018
resulting in inadequate chemical to ensure
Status: Completed
binding between the two minimum loss.
surfaces.

DISMANTLING: REMOVAL OF PAINT FROM WOODEN RAILING

BEFORE AFTER

Work start date:09.03.2018 Old paint layer on the metal railing was removed Visible old wood and metal in railing after the removal of
Status: On-going carefully by scraping it off using heat gun. deteriorated paint layers

Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II DURBAR HALL
DISMANTLING : WOODEN CORNICE BELOW METAL RAILING
STAGES OF WORK →

Work start date: 21.03.2018

Status: On-going
The base of the metal railing in Durbar Hall has a wooden Sample being taken of gold coating on molding
cornice which has mouldings with gold coating.
While removing the old paint layers from the wooden
cornice, the area with gold coating was covered with
masking tape to prevent damage.

Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II DURBAR HALL
CONSOLIDATION: RE-FIXING OF DAMAGED DOOR FRAMES
STAGES OF WORK →
Work start date: 27.12.2017
Status: Completed
25.01.2018
2 3
Fixing of door frame members
Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad
The wooden door frames in
Entrance porch had developed
cracks due to heavy loading and
had signs of water ingress.
The intervention was to use most of
the old wood that was in a good
condition. The door frames on the
eastern and western side of the
Entrance porch were consolidated
using new wood only for the
segments that were severely
decayed.
The three central door frames in
entrance porch were reconstructed
using new teakwood.
1
1
2 3
Mortise and tenon joint
at the junction of the
post and lintel
4
Fixing of wooden door frame
was a scrupulous process
involving a team of skilled
carpenters. The lintel and the
base were fixed first and the
posts were cautiously inserted
into the mortise groove.
The area around the wooden
frame was then packed with
lime mortar.
Phase II ENTRANCE PORCH
CONSOLIDATION: GROUTING USING TRADITIONAL MIX
STAGES OF WORK

Grouting of cracks was done using

Slaked lime, surkhi, and marble
powder. Mixed together using
jaggery and saras water to
consistency of a slurry, which is
later pumped using a grout pump.
Mix for the grout is 1 Slaked and
sieved lime : 10% marble powder:
Work start date: 29.01.2018
Completed: 04.02.2018 20% surkhi.
Grouting of cracks using manual pump

CONSERVATION WORKS: POLISHING DOOR PANELS

STAGES OF WORK BEFORE 1

Work start date: 14.03.2018

Status: On-going The wooden door panels and frames after scraping off Paint remover was applied to the panels to clean the
the old layers of paint. remaining paint residue from the wood.

Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II ENTRANCE PORCH & DURBAR HALL
CONSERVATION WORKS: POLISHING DOOR PANELS
STAGES OF WORK 2
Samples of different chemicals were tested on site to achieve the
desired colour and finish to match with the original finish on
doors and which is cost efficient as well.
A patch of Asian paints premium wood finish was applied on
wood and shellac mixed with colour pigments was applied on
other. The tests were done to ensure there is no visible
difference in the old and the new polish.
Both the polish gave equally good results but Shellac with
pigments was a more cost effective approach and was hence
approved.
After testing, 3 coats of polish were applied to the wood using
fine linen cloth.
Work start date: 14.03.2018
Status: On-going The panels and frames were then scrubbed using
sand paper to achieve a uniform surface.

3 4

Finish done using Asian paints

premium wood finish

Polish done using Shellac mixed with color pigments which gave the
desired finish as observed on the original wood.
Polished door panels

Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II ENTRANCE PORCH & DURBAR HALL
CONSOLIDATION: ART WORK IN ENTRANCE PORCH
STAGES OF WORK 1 2

Work start date: 25.02.2018

Status: On-hold Cornice in entrance porch had an extremely detailed and The art mason uses lime mortar 1:2 (1 lime : 2 fine sand)
ornate lime art work. for lime art work restoration

Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II ENTRANCE PORCH
CONSOLIDATION: ART WORK IN RECTANGULAR COLUMN
STAGES OF WORK 1 2

Damaged lime art work The art mason uses

lime mortar 1:2 (1 lime
was brushed with a layer : 2 fine sand) to
of fine lime and saras complete the missing
parts
solution which acts as an
adhesive for the new lime
work.

Work start date: 14.03.2018

Status: On-going

CONSOLIDATION: COLUMN BASES IN DURBAR HALL

STAGES OF WORK 1 2

The damaged/broken
parts of the column
bases were consolidated
using niru maal or fine
lime mortar 1:2 (1 lime :
2 fine sand).

Work start date: 14.03.2018

Status: On-going

Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II DURBAR HALL
CONSOLIDATION: REPAIR OF WOODEN BEAM IN OPENINGS
STAGES OF WORK
1 2
The wood in beam was in a fairly good condition but
the wooden battens below it were deteriorated due to
termite infestation. These were repaired in December
2017 by the carpenter’s team, the details of which have
been mentioned in the 2017 December report.
The base of the beam was further wrapped with
chicken wire mesh and packed with rough lime plaster.

Work start date: 24.03.2018

Status: Completed Decayed wood in the beam above opening

Cross section of wooden beam

Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II DURBAR HALL
ART CONSERVATION: CONSOLIDATION OF COMPRESSED PAPER CEILING PANELS
STAGES OF WORK 1 2

Grooves between the

panels filled using chalk
powder and cotton gauge

The damaged compressed paper panels in Durbar Hall

Work start date: 16/11/2017 ceiling were consolidated and along with new digitally
Status: On-going printed panels similar to the original pattern, were re-fixed Consolidated panels
CONSOLIDATION: LIMEtoPLASTERING
the wooden vault with screws.
ON WALLS IN UGF LOBBY

The damaged parts of the panels were consolidated by merging different damaged
pieces together to complete the pattern, using a mix of French chalk powder, kaolin
white and adhesive.
The missing panels were replaced with new digital prints in order to differentiate
between the original panels and the new intervention. The new intervention was taken
as a conservation measure as it is reversible and can be easily replaced or repaired in
future.

Panels demarcated in red are the n

new digital prints

Restoration of Durbar Hall at University College for Women, Koti, Hyderabad Phase II DURBAR HALL