EXAMPLES OF CONSERVATION OF BUILT HERITAGE

► TOWN HALL, KOLKATA

Historical Background :

► This building was designed by Colonel Jason Garstin and

completed in 1813 A.D.

► With the demolition of Old Court House in 1792, this place was
left without any grand halls for public entertainment, because of
which this building was designed.

► It was from the proceeds of lottery that Town Hall was erected in
Doric style of architecture.
Condition and use before restoration :
► In post independence era, this structure lost eminence because it
was largely considered to be a representative of the alien regime.

► The use of the hall changed in this phase from an entertainment

one to record room of High Court along with Government of West
Bengal's Public Service Commission office and Municipal Service
Commission office.

► The building got so dilapidated that in 1980 CMC decided to

demolish it and construct an office building.

► A concentrated effort of the citizen of Kolkata saved the hall from

destruction.
Initiative for restoration :
► In 1990, the tercentary celebration brought a wave
of historical awareness, which called for restoration
of heritage structures and Town Hall emerged as
the first choice.

► Eminent citizens of Kolkata formed a Homage

Trust with a view to raise funds for the betterment
of heritage buildings.

► Bikash Bhattacharya, the eminent painter, had

twelve of his paintings auctioned for a price of Rs.
11.5 million which was used for restoration work of
the Town Hall.
Conditions before Restoration
Conditions before
Restoration
Initial structural defect:
► The hall had structural defect right from
the beginning because of which the entire
central hall in the ground floor is
provided with additional cast iron pillars
to support the weight of the wooden slab
on the ground floor.
Findings from the survey:
•The building was surveyed in June 1996.
•Opinions were invited from experts and a survey was conducted to access the
condition of the structure.
•The building was made of brick masonry and wood.
•The foundation was made of brick podium which allowed river water to pass
during high tide and hence were in poor moisture laden condition.
•The ground floor was constructed with three feet thick brick load bearing
wall.
•No record was found about method of construction of roof slab.
•Natural light at first floor was admitted through skylights, all in damaged
condition thereby causing water seepage.
•The slopes on the roof provided adequate depression to accumulate rain
water.
•Due to water seepage, wooden floors below skylight became soft and spongy.
•The gaps between balustrade and brick pillars in parapet were inaccessible
for maintenance thereby causing plant growth.
The restoration methodology:

•Documentation of the building was done through photographs,

measured drawings and sketches.

•A statement was prepared keeping in view, the priority items of work

and estimates were prepared for various options on restoration.

•Strengthening of structural members, waterproofing of roofs

replacement of external and internal plaster was taken up in first phase.

•Restoration of wooden staircase, restoration of doors, windows and

skylights repair and upgradation of toilets, drainage and sewerage lines,
realignment of rainwater pipes, removal of old electric cables and
upgradation of landscape was taken up in the next phase.
Structural strengthening and waterproofing:
► The vaults in the foundation were cleaned and iron gates opened
for a month to allow the moisture to dry off.
► Small hollow pipes were embedded inside the walls and ceiling of
the foundation and admixture of lime mortar and epoxy based
chemical injected.
► Epoxy grouting was done on the wall in the two upper floors before
replastering.
► The old layer of tar felting was removed from the roof and
undulated portion of lime terracing removed to provide
uniformity.
► Mixture of water proofing chemical, sand and lime concrete was
grouted near parapet wall and tar felting re-laid.
► A special water proofing paint was applied on the exterior surface
including doors and windows.
Restoration
work in
progress
The Building
after restoration

Courtesy : Ar. Partha Ranjan Das, Kolkata

RESTORATION METHODOLOGY FOR DAKSHINESWAR
KALI TEMPLE, KOLKATA

•This is a Navratna
Temple with 9
towers.
•It was built by
Martin Burn and is
more than 100 years
old.
The mezzanine floor on the rare side of the garba griha developed a crack on
the wall.
There was a lightening in 1940 which created a crack on the tower also, which
the temple authority claimed as a possible cause.
So,
•Measure drawing done,
•Boring report through soil test was given,
•A Tale-tell method was established,
•Documentation started.
•Inspection pit was not allowed, so prevalent architectural style and their
foundation studied and it was concluded that most of such structures had pier
foundation.
•Floatable experiments to decide the consistency of the building material was
done to know the nature of grouting material.
The entire building was leaning to
one side which was causing the
crack.
The mezzanine floor was a later
addition and the slab of the
mezzanine was inserted into the
wall.
The weak part acts as the fulcrum
which was unable to take the load
of the wall and slab.
ANCHORAGE BY PINNING
•Pinning was done through the wall at two
separate level, one above the mezzanine and
one below.
•Stainless steel pins were inserted as it
forms integrating structures with masonry
works.
•The steel pins were bolted from outside.
•Then grouting was done by epoxy resin to
fill up the gaps