History Of

Modern Architecture
In Nepal

• Presented By:
Bevika Mool - 077BAR008
Swechha Shrestha - 077BAR046
 Introduction:
• Malla Period- Pagoda and Shikhara Style
• During Rana Period- the 19th Century western monumentalism was brought to Nepal.
• Neo- Classical style; elements from the Greek and Roman Architecture.
• Nepalese engineers namely Kumar Narsingh Rana and Kishor Narsingh Rana were involved.

• Modern Architecture in Nepal starts from about the time the Saraswati Sadan ( 2000 B.S.) was built, which is a
milestone in the history of Modern Architecture in Nepal.
• 60 years of modern architecture has given us with a wide range of architecturally commendable works.

B.P Lohani (Saraswoti Robert Weise (Hotel Benjamin Polk Deepak Man Sherchan Götz Hagmüller, Patan Bibhuti Man Singh,
Sadan) Annapurna) (Narayanhiti Palace) (SOS) Museum Hotel Dwarika

1958 1967

1952 1969

Shankar Nath Rimal
( Sahid Gate)
Carl
Gangadhar Bhatta Narayan Prasad Tom Crees, Riverside
Pruscha (Taragaon
(City Hall) Bhattarai, Agriculture Spring Resort
Hotel, Ceda Building)
Development Bank
 Bed Prasad Lohani
• First person to introduce concrete in Nepal
• Playing with variety of elements in his buildings like RCC,
RBC, dome etc

• His Works: Saraswati Sadan,

Ranjana Hall (1952)
Saraswati Sadan,
Tri Chandra College

• Built in 1952
• Stands as a milestone of modern architecture in Nepal
• Known as Gol Ghar due to its curved façade.
• simple, functional and structurally stable.
• Introduction of materials like RCC, dome, etc.
Sankar Nath Rimal
 Firm

Sankar Nath Rimal Completed Graduated from Shankar Nath Rimal

Engineers and
schooling from Calcutta University
• Architects P. Limited
Born on 1st March 1935 in Tangal, Naxal Durbar High in 1957 in Civil (1961)
• Started working since 1958 both in architectural School in 1950 Engineering
and civil engineering field as an assistant
engineer
• Specialized in fields such as Project Writing,
"Architecture is an applied art, point where art and
Structural Details, Working Drawing science meet to form a new perspective" 6
and Landscape Designs
 1 2 3

Beliefs and Spiritual Quality Heterogeneity Redefine Nepali

Philosophies
in design over homogeneity Architectural
Space

He says "Architecture is an applied art,

point where art and science meet to
form a new perspective;
• Without Planning it cannot 5 6
4
be functional;
• Without Aesthetic it cannot be
satisfactory; Emphasis Use of Modern Faithful Use of
• Without structure it will fail " on purity of form Technology Elements
7
 Better locally
Originality
Beliefs and comes from
available
materials with
philosophy,
Philosophies One must be
fully engaged in which is
local
workmanship
his work to be also essential
while use of
successful to achieve
modern material
sustainability
.
should be in a
simplified way.

8
 His Works
Sahid Gate
Include Gateways, Narayanhiti Royal Palace
Hotel Soaltee
1958 1961-1972
Hotels, Industries, Public (Engineer Encharge) 1962
(First of His Works)
Buildings, Institutions, Museums,
Library, Auditoriums, Temples and
numerous Residences

Royal Nepal Pangre Ghar,

Hotel Everest International,
Academy, Kamaladi 1969 Pulchowk
9
1964
 His Works
• Tikapur Town Planning – 1973
• Janakpur Cigarette Factory - 1964
• Yagna Shala Building
• Pashupati Nath Temple Complex
• Taragaon Cultural Tourism Centre
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building, Singha Darbar - 1969
Nepal Art Council • Amrit Science Campus,
• Nepal Art Council
• Rastra Bank
• Clock Tower at Janakpur,
• Lumbini Development Trust
• Shova Sadan
• Santi Sadan
10
Amrit Science Campus
 • Built in 1958; first of his works
• Nepal Smarak Dwar: Designed as the Memory of democracy
• A structure of monumental and spiritual value

Sahid Gate ​
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY​:
He was told to design such
that vehicles could pass Frame construction with overall
through it​ but he created it marble cladding
as a sculpture.

• There are five statues in the gate.

•Four men, namely Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Gangalal Shrestha,
Dashrath Chand, and Shukraraj Shastri, who are considered martyrs since they
stood against the 104-year-old Rana Regime, have their statues above their
arms established here.
• On top of all is a statue of former King Tribhuvan. 11
 Royal Nepal
Academy, Kamaladi
• Built in -1964, largest auditorium of
that time
• The style derived by blending modern
and traditional.
• Use of modern materials and
technology.
• His design philosophies are perfectly
reflected in this design.

12
 Design Brief

• Huge garden with pond on

axis of main entrance
creating dramatic view and
enhancing frontal façade.

• Traditional Brick Façade

with modern windows and
plastered surface.
13
 • Architectural detailing, use of color and materials,

Design Brief responding both culture and functions

• Reflection Of Traditional Nepali

Architecture Through Highlighted
Entrance resembling Temple. Overall composition
laid on cubical form cantilevered 14

along the sides.

 CONSTRUCTION
TECHNOLOGY​

•Use of pre cast, post tensioned

girders lifted from ground level​.
• Use of Pre cast beams of even 51 ft.
•Diaphragm wall and shear walls
provided for resisting earthquake​.

15

Cantilevered Structure with Use of Sky Light

circular Columns
 Gudne Ghar (Pangre Ghar)
Pulchowk

• One of the experiment of Rimal and

a wonder of the period
for Nepalese architecture.
• Use of local material in simpler way
in an complex design
• Huge cubical mass balanced over two concrete wheels.
• An example of cantilevered system
16
• Symmetrical facade articulated by corner windows and the
design produced by alternating openings and walls
 Robert Weise
• First Swiss architect in Nepal
• Completed graduation from the college of
architecture and engineering of kt of Zurich,
Switzerland.
• Studied tropical architecture from the
building research station at Watford, U.K.

“Foreign lands are not all foreign to me, for it is there that I
hope to be able to express the personal freedom in me.”
 His Works
• He was the first architect to practice in
Nepal after 1960s. Hotel Annapurna,
Durbar Marg Fishtail Resort, Hotel Malla
• Contributed to the contemporary Pokhara (1976)
(1959)
architecture in Nepal by achieving a blend
between the traditional and the modern.
(First of His Works)

• Worked as an architect and construction

manager under contract with Balso
mission from 1954-57
• Made an effort on making all government
offices roof capped off with pagoda style SOS Children's village ,
Hotel Yellow Pagoda,
Royal Hotel Sanothimi
(Bahadur Bhawan) 18
kantipath
Hotel Annapurna, Durbar
Marg •1st modern tourist hotel opened in july 1965

(1959) •Blended traditional architecture with modern style

•Use of pagoda roof with the implementation of

modern technology

19
 Design Brief
• Simple rectangular plan with
elevation articulated by
rhythmic rectangular windows.

• Windows are of modern style in

the façade facing the road.

• Use of carved struts to give a

traditional look.

• Sky line well maintained to

create a sound effect

20
Fishtail Resort, Pokhara • Another experiment of Weise.
(1976) • Architecture more organic in nature, and resembling with
the surroundings.
• Circular plan layout with circular shell roof.
• Elevation articulated by rhythmic doors and French windows.
• Use of local materials

21
 Benjamin Polk (18 May 1916 – 23 April 2001)

• an American designer and architect, best known for

his work in India and Nepal.
Narayanhiti Royal
•King Mahendra wanted a new definition for his palace.
Palace to transcend the conventional character of architecture
that the previous rulers had borrowed from the Western
(1969) world.
• It was not a problem for Polk to do his job without
completely understanding Nepalese architecture in
depth. Used prominent hint of Nepalese architecture
quite overt in the façade of the palace.

Construction Technology

•The entire form for the Narayanhiti palace, has been designed as
a frame structure with quite a number of portions consisting of
structural shear walls.
•Ordinary Portland Cement for structural works, mild steel for 23
RCC was imported from England.
 Design Brief
• The palace’s exterior was initially
proposed to be clad with marble which
was not locally available, so the choice
was shifted to machine-made bricks.
• He perfectly composed the shikhara
form and a towering structure to its left
to touch up the formal Nepali essence
• Polk was an admirer of Frank Lloyd
Wright. So, he had the distinct character
of Wright’s style in a combination of
horizontals lines, hipped roofs, windows
grouped in horizontal bands, huge
overhanging eaves hence resulting in a
solid construction
24
 Gangadhar Bhatta

Founder of Modern Architecture in Nepal

INTRODUCTION
•Gangadhar Bhatta, the
visionary architect who
revolutionized Nepal's
architectural landscape.
•Embracing the philosophy
that architecture should
create, not copy, Gangadhar
blended traditional and
modern elements in his
work.
 Gangadhar
Bhatta Completed
S.L.C from Padm
odaya high
• “Well, I heard that getting an school​ I.Sc from B.Arch. degree from
architectural degree required five
Trichandra Calcutta University
years as compared to four
for engineering. I also came to College
know that it was a tough degree
to acquire. So I chose
architecture.”
Beliefs and
Philosophies
1 2
Insert Icon / Picture 3
• The ingredients of a good building
are honesty, sincerity, seriousness
Architecture and Form should Building should
and hard work.
society should satisfy function respond to its
• Architecture should be organic. go hand on hand surrounding
• He firmly believed that
a building should
harmonize with
its surroundings 28
 HIS WORKS
1.Master plan of Dashrath City Hall Glass house Hotel Soaltee
Rangasala, of Godawari
2. Introduced the design of double
flight stairs for the 1st time,
3. Designed master plan , the
Library building and several other
building of T.U.
4. Interiors of City Hall, Jivan Kunj
Dashrath Heritage
5. Casino Nepal and Soaltee Hotel. Rangashala hotel 29

6. Botanical Garden, Godawari

CITY HALL
(RASTRIYA
SABHA GRIHA)
• •An architectural landmark
that boasts Gangadhar's
innovative designs
• •Rastriya Sabha Griha is the
first public assembly
building for indoor functions
built in Kathmandu.
The use of
reinforced concrete for the Construction
auditorium hall, cantilevered
curved slab, the grand frontal technology
stair, as well as the main
entry gateway which reflects
the versatility of
modern material. ​

Modern concrete shell structure used
for entrance emphasis
Abstract precast open riser stair​​
Design concept
• There are three categories of people:
• He initially provided a large stairway linking the first level
and ground floor for people.
• Second, a porch and ground-floor lobby were made
available for vehicles.
• Third, separate entrance was made available for
performers.
Design brief
Function is clearly reflected in its form, with
the massive curved façade enveloping the
main hall.
Modern concept
Additive designs on the The transparent façade
applied to the interior
roof creates openness to the
as well
exterior
 Dashrath
Rangasala

A multi-purpose stadium in
Tripureshwor, Kathmandu.
It was built in 1956.

This multi-purpose stadium

showcases a perfect blend
of modern and traditional
elements, with its
interpenetration of
geometric forms and 35
symbolic use of pergolas.
Design brief
1. Modern building blended with
traditional sloop roof.
2. Building composed of interpenetration
of geometric forms
3. Use of pergolas to symbolize
the deviation towards modern design.
4. The construction technology used was
Frame structure.
5. Materials used were concrete and
steel.

36
 GLASS
HOUSE OF
GODAWARI
Location: Godawari, Kathmandu
Style: green architecture
Material Used: plastic sheets,
CGI, Glass Windows and brick
works

37
 Design brief

• Use of the natural aspects

to its best
• An area of research and
studies as well as a
recreational space created
with the integration to the
nature
38
 Carl Purscha
• An Austrian architect​
• Studied under L.welzen and R. Rainer at the
academy of fine arts Vienna​
• Studied town planning at the Harvard university in
1960-1964​
• Came to Nepal to prepare the master plan
of kathmandu valley during the 60’s

Every site is beautiful and is a major

influence in the design of that building
 • He understood buildings as part of a network, as elements
of a comprehensive infrastructure.

Carl Purscha • Devoted to the study of urban planning in

developing countries, “going back to the roots” of city
planning and vernacular architecture.
• Interested in Himalayan Vernacular
architecture, regionalism, and traditional architecture,
and developed urban plans and research, committed
to heritage preservation in Nepal.
• He dedicated his years in Nepal to shining a light on the
importance of integrating local and international
architecture. Not just restoring heritage, but reinventing
it.
• Deliberately avoided using cement plaster.
A great planner and architect who treated 40
architecture as an art.
 Ceda Building
•Ceda is one of the main wing of
Tribhuvan University.

•Designed by Purscha during his thesis

work with its individual identification and
job priority.

•A strong relationship with its natural More difficult to me as a foreigner was the design’s
surroundings, the geography integration into the spiritual network of Nepal’s
41
culture,”
 Ceda
Building
The building well resembles with the terracing
•Brick volumes with interesting skyline landscape of the site​
and appealing façade grabbing ​
attention

•Interconnection of various masses

through multilevel pavements as per
ground nature.

• This building was designed as

a dormitory considering the sun 42
angle.
•Building as an Elevations well articulated
Additional designs
by brick texture and
example for good to harmonize the
rectangular openings.
use of shading building with the
devices. site.
His other works

Taragaon hotel UNHCR housing

The design was influenced by the form

and function of the traditional He had no interest in architecture detached
Dharmashalas utilizing new technical and from its cultural, social, and discursive context.
creative possibilities.
 Deepak Man Sherchan

• Designed aesthetically appealing, yet functional and

environmentally sound buildings.
• Influences of Newari architecture.
Deepak Man
Sherchan
B. Tech Architecture Diploma in Real Estate Founding Chairman of
(Honours) Graduate from Development & CAD from Creative Builders
I.I.T Kahrgapur, West Harvard Design School, USA. Collaborative
Bengal India
 His works Malpi International School Indreni Appartment

"I like using local materials, bricks

are durable and we don't have to
paint the walls every few years,"​

SOS children village Heritage Plazza

Indreni Appartment
Design Brief
• Reflect the architectural heritage of
Kathmandu
• The buildings carries influences
of Newari architecture
• The overhung roofs not just give
the apartment building
a distinctive Nepali look
but also shield it from rain.
• The six-storied building is on a more
human scale, with spacious interiors
and a simple, traditional brick
façade that anchors it
to Kathmandu's skyline.
 Narayan Prasad
Bhattarai
Agriculture development bank
• Built in 1980
• Brick exposed
• Modern element is defined
by the curved front facade
 Bibhuti Man Singh
• Graduated from the West Pakistan University of
Engineering
• Technology Chief Architect of Technical Interface.
• Former president of the Society of Nepalese
Architects (SONA).

"MY NEXT PROJECT WILL BE MY BEST

ONE..."​
Hotel Dwarika
• Built in 1998 Known for its efforts
in cultural preservation.
• Built to save old wood carvings
from traditional Kathmandu
buildings that were about to be
thrown away.
• Revived the technique of
"Dacchiapa" the Newari
traditional method of making
carved bricks.
52

'"Working with traditional designs is a humbling experience."

"It was a boring project though the result pleased many."
His works Park village resort, Budhanilkantaha

No architect can be entirely

modern or traditional; his works
always respond to specific
contexts.
Club himalaya, Nagarkot
Analysis

Drastic change can be seen in the

following aspects:

• Form:
• Traditional: Simple rectangular form
with typical sloped roof
• Modern: Dynamic forms with
penetration of various solid forms with
playful elements

• Materials used:
• Traditional: bricks and wood were in use
• Modern: RCC , ACP( Aluminum
Composite Panels), glass, steel and
modern technology are used.

THEN NOW
Conclusion
• The initiation of modern architecture in the 1950s created a
base for new architectural era.
• Both Nepalese and foreign architects played vital role to lay the
foundation of modern architecture in Nepal.
• Outcome were the various modern buildings which stands till
today as an example.
• Imaginative architectural ideas came into real forms.
THANK YOU!
Decentralized waste management system
• Decentralized wastewater systems (also referred to
as decentralized wastewater treatment systems)
convey, treat and dispose or reuse wastewater from
small and low-density communities, buildings and
dwellings in remote areas, individual public or private
properties.
• They have the purpose to protect public health and
the natural environment by reducing substantially health
and environmental hazards.
Existing decentralized waste water system
Case study of DEWATS in Dhulikhel
Hospital
• In 1997, Dhulikhel Hospital, a community-
based hospital located in Dhulikhel
Municipality, set up the first constructed
wetland wastewater treatment system in
Nepal.
• Purpose
To treat the wastewater generated from the
hospital and staff quarters to minimize the
environmental impacts of local waterways. To
collect and reuse the wastewater from the
entire hospital for irrigation.
Case study of DEWATS
in Dhulikhel Hospital
• As this was the first experiment with constructed wetlands in Nepal, the system was designed using
fairly conservative assumptions and plenty of safety margin to ensure that the treated water would
be of acceptable quality.
• The treatment system was originally designed to treat 10 m3 of wastewater per day, but it is
currently treating about 40 m3 per day
Case study of DEWATS in Dhulikhel
Hospital
•As this was the first experiment with constructed wetlands in Nepal,
the system was designed using fairly conservative assumptions and
plenty of safety margin to ensure that the treated water would be of
acceptable quality.​

•The treatment system was originally designed to treat 10 m3 of

wastewater per day, but it is currently treating about 40 m3 per day
 It comprises of a three chambered settling tank (16.5 m3) and
a hybrid constructed wetland – Horizontal Flow (HF) followed
by Vertical Flow (VF).
The wetlands are earthen basin sealed with plastic liner.
System in Brief The system also has a sludge drying bed to complete the
wastewater treatment process.
• The total area of the constructed wetland is 261 m2 (HF –
140 m2 and VF – 121 m2).
• The beds are planted with
local reeds of the species
Phragmitis Karka.
• Initial tests done in 1997
showed that the plant was
able to remove 98% of total
suspended solids (TSS), 98%
of BOD5, 96% of COD and
99.9% of total coliforms. It
also removed 80% of the
ammonia nitrogen and 54%
of phosphate.
Reuse Options

• At present the treated

wastewater is not used and
discharges into the existing
channel. However, the
sludge from the drying bed is
being used as fertilizer and
the water could be reused
for irrigation.
 • • Efficient treatment for daily wastewater
flows up to 1000m3
• Modular design of all components Tolerant
towards inflow fluctuations
• Reliable and long-lasting construction design
Advantages
• Expensive and sophisticated maintenance
of DEWATS not required
• Low maintenance costs
Hence, DEWATS technology is an effective,
efficient and affordable wastewater treatment
solution
 • Large area requirement
Limitations • Wetland treatment may be economical
of relative to other options only where land is
available and affordable.
Constructed • Design criteria are yet to be developed for
Wetlands different types of wastewater in different
climatic conditions.