Architecture Conservation

AR 751
Year Iv Part Ii

Sanjaya Maharjan

Lecture 09: The Hanuman Dhoka Conservation Project

Introduction

• This project came into being after several UNESCO teams had
visited Nepal in the context of conservation of its monuments.
• Its primary aim was to establish a training program for the
both of its administrative staff and craftsmen.
• In doing so, the repair works of some of the temples, towers and
a palace were taken up.

• For the sake of convenience and also due to limited funds

available, it was divided into three phases for the execution of
the conservation works.
• It ended up, however, drafting a Master Plan Program for the
cultural Heritage in Kathmandu Valley
Figure: Kathmandu Durbar Square Master Plan
 First Phase

• The first phase consisted of repair and reconstruction of the

complex of the buildings forming the Nasal Chowk of the Hanuman
Dhoka Palace.
• Works consisted of repair works to the Lohan Chowk, >> repair
works to the two towers, namely Kirtipur Tower and Basantapur
Tower.
• This palace is lived by P.N. Shaha from 1770 until his death >> may
date as a significant site earlier to 5th century on account of the
possession that enters this palace, starting from Changu Narayan, a
site belonging to that period.
• The most interesting aspect of this phase was , the restoration of
Kirtipur Tower. >> it has a Bengali style roof cover with copper
roofing.
First Phase
• The tower was in state of collapse as the copper roofing was
directly nailed to the boarding >> and the rain water has
entered the roof, >> causing the decay of timber rafters.

• So all the decayed

carvings were carefully
documented, >> and set to
carving section for repair.
• The rafters were curved
and could not be reused
and had to be reassembled.
Figure: Kirtipur Tower (left) and Collapsed
Basantapur Tower (Right)
• The timber members were dipped in the chemical bath filled
of fungicide and the insecticide for about two hours.
First Phase
Kirtipur Tower restoration work was supervised by experts from
UNESCO and financed by donations from Japan, France, Italy
and the British Nepal Society
• The Basantapur Tower was also difficult conservation exercise due to its
height. >> Bamboo scaffolding was used in order to adhere to the use of
local materials. >> this in itself was very exciting

• The old and damaged timbers

were replaced by new sets of
structural members.
• The traditional joints were
improved as they made the
structure weaker.
• The timber members were
treated to save them from the
beetle and fungal attack.
Figure: Kirtipur Tower (left) and Basantapur
Tower (Right)
 Second Phase
In this phase, strengthening of Lalitpur tower and the repair of the octagonal
shaped, Bhaktapur Tower was completed
• The restoration of Lalitpur Tower was more demanding than the previous
two towers. >> inclined about 15° from the vertical in the great
earthquake of 1934.
• Engineers from Germany propped the building and thus saved it from
immediate collapse.
• In the beginning, it looked as if the problem was of minor nature >> and
could be solved immediately. >> until it was realized after deeper
examination that much of the structure supporting the tower was in dangerous
state. >> As a result, the carved windows and cornices were referenced, taken
out and sent to carving section for the repair.
• The earthquake had opened up the structure so that rainwater percolate into the
interior >> and hence, it has caused grave damage to the structure.
• The base was strengthened by inserting a concrete ring beam. >> then the inner
structure was made using diagonal braces. >> the joints were also strengthened.
Figure: Lalitpur Tower
Figure: Bhaktapur Tower
Second Phase

The Bhaktapur tower by Contrast very easy to as it had withstood the

weathering >> and only maintenance work was necessary.
• Due to its Octagonal (approx. square) plan, it was comparatively more
resistant to seismic attack than the other towers.
• This work was completed in 1975 >> and the bulk of funding for this work
was provided by FRG and the remaining amount was borne by the
government and the UNESCO. >> some of the local cost was borne by the
Palace.

Third Phase
The third phase aimed at the complete repair, renovation and
rehabilitation of the Vilas Mandir so as the to convert it into a museum.
The project was completed in the year 1983.
Achievements
The major achievements of this project was to revive lost crafts.
• The technique of manufacturing the Telia Ita, Local oiled brick, used in
terraces was reinvented after two old craftsmen reached a negotiated
settlement after a lot of arguments. >> Finally, the brick was made. >> tested
in London based laboratory >> showed similar properties in the newly made
brick as in original sample.
• Wood carving which was becoming extinct was also revived. >> Other works
were the cleaning of vegetation,
• Ficus Religiesia in the temple of Batsala Durga >> done by injecting an
arsenic based fluids.
• Other minor works such as replacement of the lintel followed.
• Stones were laid in lime mortar to discourage vegetable growth >> first stone
building undertaken by UNESCO in Nepal.
The Masan Chowk and the Janaki Mandir were other two works done
under this project.
“ thank you”