govindji temple conservation project

THE ARCASIA AWARDS FOR ARCHITECTURE 2011/2012CATEGORY D (CONSERVATION PROJECTS)

REINSTATING THE GLORY OF TERRACOTTA: SRI GOVINDJI TEMPLEAT KANGLA FORT, MANIPUR, INDIA

The temple was built in 1846

AD during the reign of

Maharaja Nara Singha.

This composite structure was

made of

Brick,

Terracotta

Teak wood.

ARCHIDESIGN AWARDS 2013CATEGORY C - Award For Architectural / Environmental Conservation

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THE ARCASIA AWARDS FOR ARCHITECTURE 2011/2012CATEGORY D (CONSERVATION PROJECTS)ARCHIDESIGN AWARDS 2013CATEGORY C - Award For Architectural / Environmental Conservation

CULTURAL AND HERITAGE VALUE:

Terracotta brick vernacular architecture of Bengal and Manipur, bear testimony to the varied and ancient traditions of terracotta that have flourished in India over five millennia. Eastern India has experienced a vast array of the art of Terracotta in forms of temples & ornamentations that have withstood the test of time. With the vagaries of nature and decay over ages, these temples are in need of immediate preservation and maintenance.

LOCATION

Stone was rare in these areas.Being composed of small units, use of bricks gave higher flexibility and greater constructional possibility in these seismic prone regions.

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THE DAMGED TEMPLE


•The conservation revitalized a decaying landmark of terracotta craftsmanship and terracotta brick architecture.•It was a protective step towards the cultural resource of Manipur and its History.•It promoted the Socio-religious values.•The adaptive reconstruction / conservation helped to spread the traditional art of terracotta not only amongst the workers involved with the project but also amongst the general mass.

WHY THE CONSERVATION WAS NEEDED ?

Damage due to salt petere and dampness in masonry structure.

VEGETAL GROWTH

Excessive rainfall caused vegetation growth which led to cracks and dislodged the masonry.

THREE SUCCESIVE EARTHQUAKES

Conceptual exploded view of the temple

•Collapsing of main ceiling and partial collapsing ofsidewall.

•Settlement problem in foundation part.

•Action of soluble salts like chlorides, sulphides, nitrates etc .

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The plan of the temple is square.

It stands on Raised Jagati (platform)

The Bhitti (plinth) is also raised, straight up to the Cornice

The ceiling was made of terracotta

Rafters made of Teak Wood supported the roof above the corridor (Pradakshina)

RECONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS OF SHRI GOVINDJI TEMPLE


FRONT ELEVATION SIDE (SOUTH) ELEVATION

ROOF PLAN

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

BACK (WEST SIDE) ELEVATION SECTION THROUGH XX’

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1. Restoration using technologies for

damage rehabilitation and traditional

science of building construction.

2. Protect Cultural Resources

3. Restore and revitalize the building.

4. Promote socio-religious values.

5. Train local people in the traditional art

of terracotta.

OBJECTIVES


The main ceiling had collapsed.

The side wall had fallen partially owing to the damaged caused by neglect as well as earthquake.

Picture showing the main vaulted ceiling before it collapsed (Taken from old records at site)

Shri Govindji Temple after the vaulted ceiling collapsed.

Training of local people in the traditional construction techniques.

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MAIN DAMAGES FACED BY THE STRUCTURE


1. THE ROOF COLLAPSED AFTER THREE SUCCESSIVE EARTHQUAKES EXPOSING THE STRUCTURE TO FURTHER WEATHERING HAZARD.

Pic: Picture showing the Main vaulted ceiling before it collapsed. (Taken from old records at site)

Pic: Shri Govindji Temple after the vaulted ceiling collapsed.

Pic: The side wall had fallen partially owing to the damaged caused by neglect as well as earthquake.Inspired from the weaving pattern of

traditional bamboo basket, the entireform of the vault was reconstructed with a grid of bamboo.

Bamboo grid and sparingly used steel have been camouflaged by a layer of lime Surkhi.

INNER VIEW

Original roof was 40” thick throughout tillthe top. The new roof starts from 15” at the base and 6” at the top, reducing the load by 200 mt.

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4. CRACKS AND CREVICES DEVELOPED DUE TOEARTHQUAKE WAS FURTHER WEAKENED BYVEGETATION GROWTH.

Vegetation growth on the walls and around the super structure

The glass “tell-tale” signs were put up over the existing cracks to study the

threat of further deterioration and were found broken after 6 months.

Vegetal growth wascleared from thesuperstructure and thewalls were restored.

Cracks which were found

going up to the

foundation, that part of

the structure was carefully

dismantled, the

foundation reset and the

super structure remade.

THE CONSERVATION PROCESS


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3. RISING DAMPNESS ON WALLS AND FLOORS LED TO FURTHER CRACKS AND DAMAGE.

Rising dampness on the walls

Granite slab inserted at plinth level to prevent the rising dampness through capillary action

Detail of Plinth Protection

THE CONSERVATION PROCESS5. TERRACOTTA IS SUBJECTED TO WATER INFILTRATION AND FREEZE THAW DAMAGE.

Infiltration and Freeze-thaw damage to brick masonry

Synthetic resins like silicon

and epoxies were used as

sealants to prevent further

damage to the brick

masonry from water

infiltration and freeze thaw

damage.

Synthetic resins used as a protective coat.


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2. WOODEN BEAMS AND RAFTERS WERE IN A STATE OF DECAY.THE CONSERVATION PROCESS

The wooden rafters were restored. Completely damaged or missing rafters

were replaced.


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6. STUCCO PLASTER OF EXTERNAL WALLS WERE DAMAGED.Vegetal growth was cleared from the stucco plaster, in certain cases

where it was completely damaged, it was reconstructed.



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7. MOST OF THE BALUSTERS AND PARAPETS WERE BROKEN WHILE

SOME WERE MISSING, HAVING FALLEN AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE. Broken or missing balusters and parapets were restored or reconstructed.



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• A continuous band of corbelledmasonry buttresses have beenprovided to strengthen thefoundation against the lateralseismic force.• An additional plinth protectionband of stone was providedaround the structure at the groundlevel.

• 10’ wide trench was dug uparound the temple.

Old bricks were dug out from thedebris of the monument, sortedout and aired and dried in the sun.Brick bats were kept separately forcrushing and making into Surkhi(brick dust).


16 types of bricks were found to be used in theconstruction of Shri Govindji Temple


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THE CONSERVATION PROCESS8. SALTPETERE DEPOSITS WERE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE MASONRY STRUCTURE

Saltpetere deposit in the brick masonry

Saltpetere bricks were

removed carefully without

disturbing the structure.

Affected areas were treated

and those which could be

reused were inserted.

Saltpetere cleared removed from external surface

Before

After

Entrance steps that were

completely damaged have been

reconstructed as per the

photographs taken from old

records at site.


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The process of restoring the exterior façade of ShriGovindji Temple


Traditional artisans were invited from rural Bengal to teach the local craftsmen the

traditional terracotta art for the purpose of restoration.

The Restored Shri Govindji Temple given back to the community


AFTER

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govindji temple conservation project

Design