Dhakhwa Chowk | Nag Bahal Documentation (Conservation)

Theory and Philosophy of Conservation

Documentation Project on

Dhakhwa Chowk | Nag Bahal

Submitted to:

DR. ROHIT RANJITKAR

AR. SIRISH BHATTA

Department of Urban Design and Conservation

Khwopa Engineering College | Purbanchal University

Libali, Bhaktapur.

Submitted by:

Anju Maharjan (MSc07601)

Anmol Dhimal (MSc07602)

Tonil Maharjan (MSc07619)

Submission Date:

24TH JANUARY 2021

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

Acknowledgements

Gratitude

We would like to express our special thanks to professor Dr. Rohit Ranjitkar and Ar. Sirish Bhatta for giving us opportunity as well as guidance for the documentation project of Nagbahal Patan. We hope this project would be beneficial for upcoming research on that area in some extent.

Our warm thanks goes to local residents who had co-operated with us during documentation period. And finally, we would like to thanks Mr. Prabin Dhakhwa and his family for their precious help and for providing us lot of informations about our project area.

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

About the project

Background

This project includes the documentation of one of the popular alley in Patan, called Nagbahal along with the courtyards. This documentation records the current situation of dwelling units in the courtyards. It also includes the social survey of the residents relating with their cultural and economic life. As the site lies near the heritage zone of Patan city, the physical structure and social setting and their usage of space are studied.

Team Members Members of Documentation Team:

Anju Maharjan (MSc07601)

Anmol Dhimal (MSc 07602)

Tonil Maharjan (MSc 07619)

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

About the project

Objectives

To research, investigate which produce large amount of unique information which will make the place more meaningful and enhance its historical, scientific and cultural Significance.

To describe the nature and extent of problems for identifying emergency situation, schedule investigation priorities, budget conservation work need and develop adequate control policies.

To provide a basis for measuring change.

Scope & limitations Through the period of time, inappropriate falsification of building component made it even more difficult to reach the level of accuracy.

Documentation was based on photographic evidence where actual measurement was not accessible or could not be taken.

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

About the project

Tools of documentation

The documentation and mapping of the project area was carried out using three basic techniques

Measured Drawing documentation

Measured drawings of each historic house were carried to prepare as detailed architectural drawings. Each house were initially identified and categorized. The historic houses with retained characteristics were carefully measured and drawn. The houses were measured to understand the foot print and the relation between open and built spaces.

Cultural mapping

Very simply stated, cultural mapping is understanding a place in space and over time. In other words, in understanding deeply a place, there needs to be a space dimension and a time dimension. Another way of describing cultural mapping is to talk about understanding the layers of a place –their meaning and how they relate and interrelate –in space and over time.

Photo Documentation

It was carried out to record the elements of the historic houses which were/were not possible to be measured in the site. It was not possible to capture the elevation of the houses attached to other surrounding building .However, It was easier to take frontal images in the courtyards.

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

Introduction

Nabahal Court

Nabahal quarter located at western end of the city belongs to Na-tole neighborhood, and is known to be a branch of Bubahal, one of the 16 main monasteries of Patan. The residents of Nabahal nani are Sakyas while those of Bubahal are Vajracharyas. It is believed that the ancestors of present resident Sakyas of Nabahal came from Lagan tole neighborhood of Kathmandu to build Taleju bell (1737) of Patan Palace Square, and, consequently were given this place belonging to Bubahal for their settlement. Another resident group of Nabahal nani, who are also Sakyas, trace their lineage to Sribahal, another main bahal located across the Main Street north of courtyard. The ancestral ties of Nabahal residents with the two main bahals mentioned above continue to exist in a number of religious rituals. The earliest record of Nabahal nani dated 1453 is from one of the inscriptions installed within this shrine that describes the renovation of shrine building.

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

Introduction

Location of Site

Study Courtyard

Study Area

Dhakhwa Chowk is entered from the north corner of the Nabahal court which is accessed by the under way passage of house linking to the other courtyard. It has a rectangular courtyard surrounded by four house.

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

Description: WEST BLOCK

Family Description House no. 356

House owner: Mr. Raj Ratna Dhakhwa

Profession: Business

Total Family Member: 4

Ownership: Single

Building Description Plinth Area: 34.67 square meter

Floor height: 2.17 meter

Building height: 12.6 meter

Age of Building: 90+ Year old

Key Plan

Floor Description It’s a traditional building with open space and staircase in ground floor. There is the provision of restroom. Remaining floors are used as residential purpose in which living room is at first floor and bedroom at the second floor .The kitchen is in the third floor.

Facade treatment: It is a three storied building with brick exposure and cement plaster band dividing each floor and indicating pillar on facade. Façade has wooden openings around it. It has flat roof terrace and sloped roof by CGI sheets. Documentation of elevation are done with the help of Photographs.

Physical Features: It’s a Load bearing building with cement mortar and brick as construction material. The building is constructed by traditional building construction method and is being frequently maintained. No visible damage can be seen in the building after the earthquake.

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

Description: EAST BLOCK

Family Description House no. 358

House owner: Mr. Subin Dhakhwa

Profession: Business

Total Family Member: 3

Ownership: Single

Building Description Plinth Area: 45.27 square meter

Floor height: 2.17 meter

Age of Building: 90+ Year old

Key Plan

Floor Description It’s a traditional building with open space and Toilet in ground floor.. Remaining floors are used as residential purpose in which living room is at first floor and bedroom at the second floor .The kitchen is in the third floor.

Facade treatment: It is a three and half storied building with brick exposure and cement plaster band dividing each floor and indicating pillar on facade. Façade has wooden openings around it. Documentation of elevation are done with the help of Photographs.

Physical Features: It’s a Load bearing building with cement mortar and brick as construction material. The building is constructed by traditional building construction method and is being frequently maintained. No visible damage can be seen in the building after the earthquake. Addition of one floor after some period of time.

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

Description: NORTH BLOCK

Family Description House No.:357

House owner: Mr. Swayambhu Dhakhwa

Profession: Business

Total Family Member:4

Ownership: Single

Building Description Plinth Area: 54.6 square meter

Floor height: 2.17 meter

Age of Building: 90+ Year old

Key Plan

Floor Description

It’s a traditional building with open space and staircase in ground floor. There is the provision of restroom at the north west corner. Remaining floors are used as residential purpose in which living room is at first floor and bedroom at the second floor .The kitchen is in the third floor

Facade treatment: It is a three and half storied building with brick exposure and cement plaster band dividing each floor and indicating pillar on facade. Façade has wooden openings around it. It has flat roof terrace and sloped roof by CGI sheets. Documentation of elevation are done with the help of Photographs.

Physical Features: It’s a Load bearing building with cement mortar and brick as construction material. The building is constructed by traditional building construction method and is being frequently maintained at different time period as per need. Major change was addition of one floor after. No visible damage can be seen in the building after the earthquake

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

Description: SOUTH BLOCK

Family Description House no. 359

House owner: Mr. Asta Ratna Dhakhwa

Profession: Business

Total Family Member: 9

Ownership: Single

Building Description Plinth Area: 48.45 square meter

Floor height: 2.17 meter

Building height: 11.5 meter

Age of Building: 90+ Year old

Key Plan

Floor Description: It’s a traditional building with pathway and toilet in ground floor. Remaining floors are used as residential purpose in which living room is at first floor and bedroom at the second floor .The kitchen is in the third floor.

Facade treatment: It is a four storied building with brick exposure and cement plaster band dividing each floor and indicating pillar on facade. Façade has wooden openings around it. It has flat roof terrace and sloped roof by CGI sheets. Documentation of elevation are done with the help of Photographs.

Physical Features: It’s a Load bearing building with cement mortar and brick as construction material. The building is constructed by traditional building construction method and is being frequently maintained.it has linking entry from Nagbahal. No visible damage can be seen in the building after the earthquake.

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

Cultural Significance

Significance

The most important significance of the area is the presence of tightly knit Newar community, where the communal values are still preferred over individual values.

The presence of old fabric still gives the sense of place with the presence of street and squares.

Continuity of folk traditions is still seen, especially among the Dhakhwa community who are continuing to live in the area. Some have migrated and their traditions have discontinued.

Preserved religious structures in inner courtyard and Nabahal court still give opportunity to retain the mysticism of the area which can have enormous value when interpreted for touristic growth.

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

SWOT Analysis

Documentation Project on Dhakhwa Chowk, Nag Bahal

Way Forward

Issues in Historic Building Conservation

Technical issues such as limited availability of specialists, availability of original components, labor and skill shortages, and lack of personnel training, were the biggest challenges in conservation work. Second to that were environmental issues including increasing demand for housing and retail redevelopments in urban central areas, changing needs for social and economic well-being, location of buildings at risk outside conservation areas, and excess tax burden. Organizational issues i.e. inappropriate repairs, poor coordination between public and private agencies, lack of theoretical, legal, and technical focus, and difficult bylaw requirements. Financial issues were also found highly significant i.e. identifying viable means of cost recovery, expensive and restrictive works, poor financial support, predictability of the final cost, and quality of specification. Human issues were only moderately significant which include miscommunication between conservation project members, blurred understanding of conservation philosophy, poor level of awareness and knowledge, and attitude. It was concluded that most of the common issues in conservation practice were due to poor Governmental support and poor knowledge availability.

Documentation Project on

Measured Drawings

Submitted by:

Anju Maharjan (MSc07601)

Anmol Dhimal (MSc07602)

Tonil Maharjan (MSc07619)

Submission Date: 24TH JANUARY 2021

UNDERPASS

NORTHBLOCK1

WESTBLOCK4

CHAITYA

COURTYARD

SOUTHBLOCK3

EASTBLOCK2

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation (Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

SAGAL

SITEPLAN

Title: DocumentationonResidential Courtyard Nabahal,Patan

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

SCALE:-

DATE:

UNDERPASS

Sheetno: GroundFloorPlan 1:100

DrawingTitle

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation (Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title: DocumentationonResidential Courtyard Nabahal,Patan

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

SCALE:-

DATE:

DrawingTitle

Sheetno: GroundFloorPlan

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation (Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title: DocumentationonResidential Courtyard Nabahal,Patan

DrawingTitle SCALE:DATE:

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation (Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title: DocumentationonResidential Courtyard Nabahal,Patan

DrawingTitle SCALE:-

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation (Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

DrawingTitle DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

Sheetno: ThirdFloorPlan 1:100 04 24thJan.2021

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation (Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title: DocumentationonResidential Courtyard Nabahal,Patan

SCALE:-

DATE:

DrawingTitle

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

CGIsheet

CGIsheet

DepartmentofUrbanDesign&Conservation

KhwopaEngineeringCollege

Libali,Bhaktapur

FRONTELEVATION

BLOCK1 (NORTH)

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation (Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title: DocumentationonResidentialCourtyard Nabahal,Patan

FRONTELEVATION

CGIsheet (SOUTH)

BLOCK3

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

SCALE:-

DATE:

DrawingTitle

Sheetno: Elevation

DepartmentofUrbanDesign&Conservation

KhwopaEngineeringCollege

Libali,Bhaktapur

FRONTELEVATION

BLOCK2 (EAST)

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation (Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

FRONTELEVATION

BLOCK4 (WEST)

Title: DocumentationonResidentialCourtyard Nabahal,Patan

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

DrawingTitle SCALE:-

DATE:

Sheetno:

Elevation

CGIsheet

CGIsheet

CGIsheet

BLOCK4 BLOCK1 BLOCK3

SA:GA:

BACKYARD

DepartmentofUrbanDesign&Conservation

KhwopaEngineeringCollege

Libali,Bhaktapur

BACKYARD DRAIN DRAIN

SECTIONALELEVATION

SECTIONOFBLOCK3&1,ELEVATIONOFBLOCK4

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation (Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title: DocumentationonResidentialCourtyard

Nabahal,Patan

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

SCALE:-

DATE:

DrawingTitle

SECTIONALELEVATION

SECTIONOFBLOCK2,ELEVATIONOFBLOCK1

DepartmentofUrbanDesign&Conservation

KhwopaEngineeringCollege

Libali,Bhaktapur

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation

(Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title: DocumentationonResidentialCourtyard Nabahal,Patan

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

DrawingTitle SCALE:-

DATE:

Sheetno:

OILLAMP-DETAILS MINIATURESTATUEOFMOTHER&HERFIVESONS

SCALE-1:10

DepartmentofUrbanDesign&Conservation KhwopaEngineeringCollege

Libali,Bhaktapur

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation (Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title:

DocumentationonResidentialCourtyard Nabahal,Patan

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

DrawingTitle SCALE:-

DATE:

Sheetno:

Elevation

WOODENWINDOWFEATURES&VARIATION-FROMSHAHTORANAERA

WOODENWINDOWFEATURES&VARIATION-TOMODERNERA

DepartmentofUrbanDesign&Conservation

KhwopaEngineeringCollege

Libali,Bhaktapur

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation

(Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title: DocumentationonResidentialCourtyard Nabahal,Patan

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

SCALE:-

DATE:

1:50

DrawingTitle

Elevation

Sheetno: 11 24thJan.2021

DepartmentofUrbanDesign&Conservation

KhwopaEngineeringCollege

Libali,Bhaktapur

USEOFMETALRODS&CHICKENMESHWIREONEXTERNALDOORS

WOODENDOORFEATURES&VARIATION-SHAHTORANAERA

WOODENDOORFEATURES&VARIATION-TOMODERNERA

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation (Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title: DocumentationonResidentialCourtyard Nabahal,Patan

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

SCALE:-

DATE:

DrawingTitle

Elevation

Sheetno:

LAKALHON

WOODENPOSTOFGROUNDFLOOR

DepartmentofUrbanDesign&Conservation

KhwopaEngineeringCollege

Libali,Bhaktapur

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation (Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title: DocumentationonResidentialCourtyard Nabahal,Patan

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

DrawingTitle SCALE:-

DATE:

Sheetno:

WoodenPostDetail

DepartmentofUrbanDesign&Conservation

KhwopaEngineeringCollege

Libali,Bhaktapur

CORNICEDETAILSONGROUNDFLOOR DETAILATCENTER DETAILATEDGE

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation

(Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title: DocumentationonResidentialCourtyard Nabahal,Patan

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

SCALE:-

DATE:

1:50

DrawingTitle

CorniceDetail

Sheetno:

DepartmentofUrbanDesign&Conservation

KhwopaEngineeringCollege

Libali,Bhaktapur

DETAILATCENTER DETAILATEDGE

CORNICEDETAILSONFIRSTFLOOR

Subject:MUDC113

TheoryandPhilosophyofConservation

(Dr.RohitRanjitkar,Ar.SirishBhatta)

Title: DocumentationonResidentialCourtyard Nabahal,Patan

DrawnBy:AnjuMaharjan(07601) AnmolDhimal(07602) TonilMaharjan(07619)

SCALE:-

DATE:

1:50

DrawingTitle

CorniceDetail

Sheetno: 15 24thJan.2021

Documentation Project on

Annex | Site photos

Submitted by:

Anju Maharjan (MSc07601)

Anmol Dhimal (MSc07602)

Tonil Maharjan (MSc07619)

Submission Date: 24TH JANUARY 2021

East & South Blocks

West Block

Courtyard chaitya & North Block

View from North Block

West- Back Elevation

West- Back Elevation

Courtyard from Terrace

Backyard of North Block

Jhingati Tiles Replaced by CGI Sheets in added upper floors

Left Mural- West Block

Left Mural- South Block

Right Mural- South Block

Right Mural- West Block

MURAL PAINTINGS ON SECOND FLOOR

MURAL PAINTINGS ON THIRD FLOOR

Right Mural- East Block

Left Mural- East Block

Right Mural- West Block

Left Mural- West Block

MURAL PAINTINGS ON SECOND FLOOR OF NORTH BLOCK

MURAL PAINTINGS ON SECOND FLOOR OF SOUTH BLOCK

CHAITYA

MANDALA UMBRELLA

Oil Lamps Statues Of Mother & Her Five Sons Facing Towards Chaitya

Mother Facing East

Son Facing East Son Facing East

Son Facing West Son Facing North Son Facing South

CORNICE DESIGNS

SECOND FLOOR CORNICE TYPES

COURTYARD FACING WINDOWS

WEST BLOCK- BACKYARD FACING WINDOWS

NORTH BLOCK -BACKYARD FACING WINDOWS

COURTYARD FACING WINDOWS

WEST BLOCK- BACKYARD FACING WINDOWS

NORTH BLOCK -BACKYARD FACING WINDOWS

TYPES OFWOODEN WINDOWS IN SECOND FLOORS

COURTYARD FACING DOORS

COURTYARD FACING DOORS

COURTYARD FACING DOORS

Ceiling Dalins

Old Brick Covered By Plaster

Stone Hindu God Statues in two Niche in West Block on Ground Floor

Back Façade Door- No opening