Don't rush into Writers' makeover, warn experts
Subhro Niyogi, TNN | Aug 9, 2013, 02.09 AM ISTKOLKATA: Heritage conservation experts, architects and activists have welcomed chief minister MamataBanerjee's initiative to restore Writers' Buildings. But they have also issued a word of caution: unless the restoration is meticulously planned and executed, it could do more harm than good.
"This is the biggest restoration project ever conceived in Kolkata, both in scale and importance. It presents a great opportunity to give the city's fledgling conservation movement a fillip," said heritage conservation activist G MKapur of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.
Over the years, several repair jobs have been carried out at Writers' with no sensitivity to the original material lime and mortar. Corridors have been encroached and historic rooms like Rotunda split up. The project provides an opportunity to remove the clutter and open up breathing spaces.
Conservationists stressed the importance of getting the team right before embarking on the project. While JU and Besu, that have been entrusted to oversee the restoration, have reputable civil engineering and architecture departments, neither has expertise on conservation, many felt.
"The two universities and PWD can oversee the project. But a comprehensive restoration and reuse plan needs to be prepared by a competent team of experts," said conservation architect Manish Chakraborti. Architect Dulal Mukherjee said that's why he had hired conservation expert Eric Theophile for the restoration of Metropolitan Building. "When I do a multiplex or a mall, I hire specialized consultants. Ditto with conservation," he said.
A proper timeline is crucial for planning and executing the project, said others. According to conservation architect Anjan Mitra, who is restoring Customs House, at least six months would be needed to prepare a detailed project report on the exteriors and interiors; three months to carve out and demolish unwanted structures; nine months to restore the facade and various blocks; and three months to do the interiors.
"The minimum time required to restore and refit Writers' would be 18 months. One must not rushand do more harm than good," Mitra warned. Conservationists believe the three-month deadline announced by the chief minister is impractical. "You can't spend Rs 200 crore on an old building in three months," reasoned Chakraborti.
Architects also suggested that gardens replace blocks E, F, G and CGA, that are to be demolished. "A patch of green will do Writers' good. If the CM is keen on a conference room and auditorium, it could be accommodated in the building itself," said Dulal Mukherjee.
A major challenge, feels Partha Ranjan Das, who managed the restoration of the AG Building a decade ago, would be for restorers to be faithful to the job instead of playing up to the sentiments and diktats of politicians. "If an auditorium or conference room is built, the architecture must contrast with the heritage structure and not imitate it. That is what the Unesco guideline recommends," he said, adding that the steel-and-glass pyramidal entrance to the Louvre in Paris was a perfect example of how to do things right.
Experts said the interiors needed to be modernized, so that the CM could host dignitaries, investors and guests in comfort. While functional areas like offices could be furnished with smart modern furniture, an interior architect should design period furniture for ceremonial areas, the chief minister's office and ministers' chambers. "If there is any good furniture in the present building, it should be retained," said Chakraborti.
Others suggested installing high-efficiency glass panels on verandahs to allow central airconditioning and climate management. There is also a need to reassess the size of washrooms, and where they ought to be located. Once restoration is complete, Das said, a "maintenance manual" must be prepared. "One must ensure that lessons learnt during restoration are not forgotten and the spruced-up building in maintained," he said.
"This is the biggest restoration project ever conceived in Kolkata, both in scale and importance. It presents a great opportunity to give the city's fledgling conservation movement a fillip," said heritage conservation activist G MKapur of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.
Over the years, several repair jobs have been carried out at Writers' with no sensitivity to the original material lime and mortar. Corridors have been encroached and historic rooms like Rotunda split up. The project provides an opportunity to remove the clutter and open up breathing spaces.
Conservationists stressed the importance of getting the team right before embarking on the project. While JU and Besu, that have been entrusted to oversee the restoration, have reputable civil engineering and architecture departments, neither has expertise on conservation, many felt.
"The two universities and PWD can oversee the project. But a comprehensive restoration and reuse plan needs to be prepared by a competent team of experts," said conservation architect Manish Chakraborti. Architect Dulal Mukherjee said that's why he had hired conservation expert Eric Theophile for the restoration of Metropolitan Building. "When I do a multiplex or a mall, I hire specialized consultants. Ditto with conservation," he said.
A proper timeline is crucial for planning and executing the project, said others. According to conservation architect Anjan Mitra, who is restoring Customs House, at least six months would be needed to prepare a detailed project report on the exteriors and interiors; three months to carve out and demolish unwanted structures; nine months to restore the facade and various blocks; and three months to do the interiors.
"The minimum time required to restore and refit Writers' would be 18 months. One must not rushand do more harm than good," Mitra warned. Conservationists believe the three-month deadline announced by the chief minister is impractical. "You can't spend Rs 200 crore on an old building in three months," reasoned Chakraborti.
Architects also suggested that gardens replace blocks E, F, G and CGA, that are to be demolished. "A patch of green will do Writers' good. If the CM is keen on a conference room and auditorium, it could be accommodated in the building itself," said Dulal Mukherjee.
A major challenge, feels Partha Ranjan Das, who managed the restoration of the AG Building a decade ago, would be for restorers to be faithful to the job instead of playing up to the sentiments and diktats of politicians. "If an auditorium or conference room is built, the architecture must contrast with the heritage structure and not imitate it. That is what the Unesco guideline recommends," he said, adding that the steel-and-glass pyramidal entrance to the Louvre in Paris was a perfect example of how to do things right.
Experts said the interiors needed to be modernized, so that the CM could host dignitaries, investors and guests in comfort. While functional areas like offices could be furnished with smart modern furniture, an interior architect should design period furniture for ceremonial areas, the chief minister's office and ministers' chambers. "If there is any good furniture in the present building, it should be retained," said Chakraborti.
Others suggested installing high-efficiency glass panels on verandahs to allow central airconditioning and climate management. There is also a need to reassess the size of washrooms, and where they ought to be located. Once restoration is complete, Das said, a "maintenance manual" must be prepared. "One must ensure that lessons learnt during restoration are not forgotten and the spruced-up building in maintained," he said.
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