EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES AND APPROACH TOWARDS CONSERVING THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE “Palaces of Rai Bahadur Sundar Das Chopra Sundar Mahal"

Abstract

This research paper represents the approach towards studying and analyzing the conservation strategy and plan for Rai Bahadur Sundar Das Chopra Mahals. These building fabrics act as a symbolically meticulous and serene depiction of heritage and its importance. Aging more than a century and having brick masonry as prime materials of execution with grandeur of historic flare. The building infrastructure was manifested as combination of classical architectural features and elemental systems such as arches, specially designed perforated bricks, parapet walls etc. Hydrated lime, brick surkhi and jute was convergently homogenized in such a way to formulate a strong durable and reliable mortar mixture. This could withstand environmental and climatological
diversifications and impacts to a great extent. The original content of these bonding materials is utilized in the execution of these building fabrics, and the same were preferred in the repairing, maintenance and rehabilitation of the structures under discussion. This strategy helped enhance and overwhelmed, the reinforcing capability and aesthetics of the building structures. Utilizing the basic toolkit for architectural heritage conservation and preservation attempts are the engagements and usage of materials for construction, executional techniques and methodologies, finishing and garnishing of the facades and other important features in such a way that an aesthetically pleasing, structurally durable and functionally fluid spatial relationship and configuration is ensured to its excellence. Synergizing the plethora of multifaceted contextual derivatives and converging it to the funnel of targeted space program would explicitly evocate the “Genius Loci” portraying the historical layering processes for a physical fabric system.