Water from pool damaging Gandhi Bhawan’s foundation
Bhartesh Singh Thakur
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 9
Water from the P-shaped pool around Gandhi Bhawan, which is a symbol of the PU , is damaging the foundation of the main building. The pool is P-shaped as it was designed by Pierre Jeanneret, cousin of Le Corbusier.
“The building is now 56 years old and is close to completing its life. There is an urgent need of water proofing of the pool,” said Dr Manish Sharma, faculty, in-charge of the Gandhi Bhawan Project for its restoration.
The Getty Foundation had donated $1.3 lakh in July 2015 to the PU under its ‘Keeping It Modern’ initiative for preparing a road map for the restoration of the bhawan.
As per the conservation plan, the base of the building, which is located in a shallow pool of water, is showing signs of deterioration. The base seems to have many layers of cement plastering carried out in the past. This cement plaster or the finish layer covering the base is saturated and appears to be coming off. Black staining with bio-growth is present on the surface.
According to Dr Sharma, Rs1.87 crore is needed for the execution of the whole conservation plan, which has been submitted before the Special Heritage Committee of Chandigarh as Gandhi Bhawan falls in the Grade-I heritage building in the Chandigarh Master Plan. “Rs1 crore will alone be required for water proofing,” said Dr Sharma.
Preparing restoration plan
The work on preparing a restoration plan started in September 2016. The phase-1 comprised tracing the architectural evolution of the bhawan, drawing on history, architectural and landscape history, along with the history of repairs or alterations up to the present day. A few people, who were in the original team, were also interviewed. The second stage involved a detailed assessment of physical threats, structural and surface issues, assessing management issues, maintenance and upkeep lapses and current approaches towards the building use and management.
No alterations in flooring
“Alteration in the flooring of Gandhi Bhawan will not be allowed. The colour of seats in auditorium will be returned to grey as it was in the original form. Presently, they are black. Even the walls will be returned to its original colour. We have got to know about the colour after peeling the surface and conducting tests,” said Dr Sharma.
The PU has employed a private firm, Dronah, in preparing the conservation plan.
The auditorium of Gandhi Bhawan is not sound proof and to ensure this tests have been conducted.
“Wiring will be replaced. Signages in Braille, which have not been there earlier, have been recently put up. The lighting in original form is being revived, Satish Gujral’s mural in the front will be restored and at a few places, the glass has been changed with fibre,” added Dr Sharma.
Conservation management plan
- Landscaping-Reviving the pool: 2 years
- Conservation of exterior panels: 1 year
- Conservation of interiors, furniture: 2 years
- Interpretation and use proposals: 2 years
- Risk Management-CCTV and fire fighting: 1 year
- Archival drawings-conservation and storage: 2 years
Structural cracks on all elevations
- Water from the pool is damaging the foundation of the main structure.
- A number of exterior cladding panels are dislodged or displaced.
- Presence of structural cracks is noted on all elevations. About 66 structural cracks have been recorded.
- Repairs in the past have altered original character.
- Presence of termite is observed on the exterior of the buildings at the base of the panel.
- Doors are in a deteriorated state due to water penetration and exposure to sun.
