CONSERVATION ARCHITECTURE - BARC IX

Ramiz Akhthar, 5th Year B.Arch

2018BARC015
School of Planning & Architecture, Bhopal

AUTHENTICITY

"Authenticity," according to a review of relevant studies and theories given at the Nara
Conference (1994), can be defined as,

● something that sustains and proves itself.

● having credit and authority from itself.
● refers to something creative,
● something having a deep identity in form and material.
● It means something specific and unique (Alho et al., 2000).

While "authenticity" can refer to the "original creative source" in many circumstances, it is
also a relative notion that can refer to history - continuity in the "life" of the heritage
resource, according to present value judgements. This comprises interventions at various
points in time and how they have been integrated into the overall context (Jokilehto, 1994).

According to Jokilehto´s definition of authenticity (1994), the following propositions

parameters were used:
● Location, is the site of the significant events that shaped a property.
● Design, is the combination of natural and cultural components that comprise a
property's shape, layout, and spatial organization.
● Setting, is the physical environment within and surrounding a property.
● Materials, within a property include the construction materials of the building and
the immediate surrounding area of the building itself.
● Workmanship, is displayed in the way people have fashioned their environment for
functional and decorative purposes.
● Feeling, although intangible, is evoked by the presence of physical characteristics
that reflect the historic scene.
● Association, is the relationship between a property and the significant events or
people that shaped it.
(Alho et al., 2000)
INTEGRITY

Integrity is a measure of the entirety and intactness of the natural and/or cultural legacy and
its qualities. Examining the integrity requirements means evaluating the extent to which the
property:
● includes all elements necessary to express its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
● is of sufficient scale to provide a full portrayal of the characteristics and processes
that express the value of the property. Relationships and dynamic functions that are
crucial to the particular character of cultural landscapes, historic towns, or other
living properties should also be preserved.
● suffers from the negative consequences of development and/or neglect. The
physical fabric and/or significant elements of the property should be in excellent
shape, and the influence of degradation processes should be minimized.

(from World Heritage Operation Guidelines, II.E.87-89)

SUN TEMPLE, KONARK

The Sun Temple at Konark, located on the eastern coastlines of the Indian subcontinent, is
an excellent example of temple architecture and art, as demonstrated by its design, scale,
and proportion, as well as the magnificent narrative strength of its sculptural decoration. It
is a magnificent testimonial to the 13th-century kingdom of Orissa as well as a massive
example of deity personification, establishing a vital link in the history of the spread of the
cult of Surya, the Sun God. The Sun Temple is the pinnacle of Kalinga temple architecture,
including all of its distinguishing aspects in their entirety and perfection. The temple is
shaped like a Sun God's chariot, with twelve sets of wheels driven by seven horses,
symbolizing the chariot's passage over the skies.

AUTHENTICITY

● The surviving structures, their position within the complex, and the inherent
relationship of sculpture to architecture all contribute to the Sun Temple's
authenticity of form and design.
● The Sun Temple's numerous qualities, including its architecture, sculptures,
decorations, and storytelling, have been preserved in their original shapes and
materials.
● Its original environment and position, along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, have
been preserved.
● The Sun Temple, Konark continually invokes the powerful spirit and feeling linked
with the construction.

INTEGRITY

● The borders of the nominated site include all of the criteria required to reflect the
Sun Temple, Konark's Outstanding Universal Value.
● The property's surviving structures and sculptures, as well as the dislodged
remnants are preserved in-situ, embody the quintessential aspects of architectural
form, design, and sculptural expression.
● The protected zone encompasses all regions with the potential to uncover any
unknown archaeological remains that may help to improve knowledge of the
property's Outstanding Universal Value.
● Identified and potential threats to the integrity of the property include
○ Modernisation and urban growth.
○ Deforestation, saline breeze, vehicular movements, and microbiological
growth.
○ Increase in number of tourists; natural disasters and local population growth.

For improved site management, land acquisition has been proposed to extend the site
borders and buffer zone surrounding the property. Concerns have been expressed in the past
about the structural stability of site aspects, such as the influence of monsoon rains and
concomitant soil erosion. Furthermore, salt air corrosion of metal cramps supporting the
structure has caused considerable damage in the past.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ALHO, C., MORAIS, A. J., M ENDES, J., & GALVAO, A. (2000). AUTHENTICITY CRITERIA IN CONSERVATION OF

HISTORIC BUILDINGS .

JOKILEHTO, J. (1994). QUESTIONS ABOUT AUTHENTICITY.