Phase 1(a): Documentation and Mapping
This exercise would involve a multi disciplinary conservation team of
- Surveyors for a total station survey mapping to generate contour level maps, total station mapping of the site and structures
- Architects to map and document the buildings in terms of plans, elevations, sections and architectural details. Conservation Architects to inspect the historic building fabric and prepare an evaluation and fabric inspection report of the building condition, the structural and architectural issues and threats facing the complex, as well as to prepare inventories of the condition of each structure and architectural element.
- Material testing of mud mortar samples, wood samples and other representative samples of construction material and geology from the site
- Structural mapping and analysis of the building,
- Seismic assessments of the site to understand existing and potential threats as well as develop an emergency plan for stabilizing the foundations of the fort.
- Photodocumentation of the site, structures, interiors and artifacts of the building complex
- Art conservators to document and record the historic wall paintings and assess their condition through graphic and photographic documentation approx 1600 sq ft
- Art conservators to document and record the thangka and ritual objects collections housed in the monastery. Approx 200 nos.
Phase 1 (b): Preparation of a Conservation Plan
On completion of the above surveys and documentation a two tier report will be prepared which will include
- emergency stabilization measures to be adopted for the site to prevent further deterioration and damage. Areas which it may not be feasible to restore to their original form will be consolidated to prevent further deterioration. Some emergency works will be carried out during the documentation stage itself to arrest critical states of decay for e.g provision of storage for thangkas, temporary support to roofs, etc
- a overall conservation master plan which would include the following
- detailed conservation strategy for the restoration of the gonpa and development of a reuse plan for selected structures. This would include an architectural restoration plan as well as a wall painting restoration plan.
- Detailed specification and estimates for the restoration of the gonpa to include specific expertise that may be required
- Development of a reuse plan for identified structures (e.g the museum cum resource centre, exhibition or craft display facilities etc) This would include upgrading open spaces for reuse as open air cafeterias etc. Historic residences that can be reused for home stays in the complex can also be identified for a reuse potential.
- Developing a site interpretation plan i.e looking at visitor circulation through the site, key identifying points for signage, etc.
Methodology for Phase 1
a. Architectural and Structural Documentation and condition assessment
In order to undertake any conservation intervention on the site, a precise architectural and structural documentation of the site and its principal buildings is needed. A total station survey of the site is a prerequisite for preparing layout of the site and location of its main heritage components. This will be followed by detailed documentation of each of the five principal buildings in terms of their spatial design, material specifications and construction systems. These will be recorded in the form of plans, elevations and sections at an appropriate scale. These will be supplemented with detailed drawings of important building elements and ornamental patterns that lend special architectural character to these buildings. Photographic documentation will also support these drawings.
The documentation will be followed by a detailed condition assessment of the principal buildings in terms of their architectural, structural and material deterioration pattern. Material / scientific analysis will be carried out by various experts. Refer subsection C.
b. Documentation/Condition Assessment of Wall Paintings/Thangkas/Artefacts
No conservation work is carried out without prior condition documentation and hence it is necessary that documentation cum condition assessment of the decorative surfaces be carried out prior to actual conservation interventions. The decorative surfaces necessitate two levels of documentation, the first on architectural drawings and the second a further close up detail of the decorations that may be termed as ‘paintings' (figural representations). Photographic documentation would supplement textual. For the Thangkas and artefacts detailed individual Condition Reports would be prepared for each object. The objects would also be graded and categorized in terms of urgency of intervention required so that it would be possible to identify the priority of treatment later. In addition the Thangkas and artifacts would be accessioned and indexed so that a permanent set of records are available for future reference.
c. Material/Scientific Analysis
Material/Scientific analysis and research forms an important component of any conservation plan. It gives inputs towards choosing right conservation procedures and provides a template and reference for future research. Investigation of all decorations and techniques of their execution is therefore necessary in order to build a comprehensive document on the arts and crafts used at the site. Material analysis of plaster and mortar can throw light on building materials and reasons for differential behaviour of surfaces in relation to the environment. Similarly pigment analysis would yield information on the palette of the artists and the materials used in painting techniques in the past. Stratigraphic examination would determine the technique of preparation of the support layers of the decorations etc. Sample taking of pigments for identification by Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and cross-sections for would be carried out at the time of condition assessment of the surfaces/paintings. Plaster/mortar analysis will be included in the scope of work of conservation architect/structural engineer .
Phase 2: Implementation of Conservation strategy
