Modern Architecture in NEPAL
PRETEXT
Nepal has preserved
an expansive variety of architectural styles, all linked by similarity
of constructional pattern and materials; intergrated into a homogeneous
complex by their underlying purpose.
Architecture flourished
in the Malla period, in a competitive environment with different rulers
trying to outdo each other. While varients of the pagoda style are
predominant, there are few in the borrowed sikhara style. Buildings were
mostly temples, palaces and building of public use. Residences were based on
courtyard planning.
There was an extensive use of Bricks; Sun
burnt and kiln on wooden posts and beams, inticrately carved wooden windows and
doors. Symmetry was a preference; axial and radial.
During the Rana Period, for the first
time, the 19th Century western monumentalism was brought to Nepal.
Building, mostly palaces were built in the Neo-classical style that
borrowed elements from the Greek and Roman Architecture. Kishor Narsingh
Rana and Kumar Narsingh Rana were the two main Engineers of the
time.
Modern Architecture in Nepal starts from about the time the Sarashwati Sadan ( 2000
B.S.) was built, which is a milestone in the history of Modern Architecture in
Nepal. It was designed by Bed Prasad Lohani; the first to introduce concrete
structure in Nepal.
Ranjana Hall (
2009 B.S.) is another example. He played with variety of elements in his
buildings like; RCC, RBC, dome etc. His buildings are simple, functional
and structurally stable.
Other individuals who have played
significant role in the development of Modern architecture in Nepal are; Prabhinga
Man Singh Pradhan, Shankar Nath Rimal, Robert Weize, Shiva Raj Panta, Ganga
Dhar Bhatta, Bhubaneswor Lal Shrestha.
Robert Weize initiated
the development with the masterplan of of Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur
and some of its earlier buildings.
Narayanhiti Palace, designed by a team of Stain, Polk and Chatterjee from an
Indian firm based in Calcutta, was constructed, S. N. Rimal was the Site
Engineer.
Sarboccha Adalat (The supreme Court), Science Block of Trichanda College, Rani
Pokhari designed under Bhavan Vibhag and the Department of
Archaeology by Indian Coorperation Mission are other contemporay
buildings.
Prabhinja Man Singh designed Amrit Science Campus; structure by S. N. Rimal.
Vrikuti Mandap (
2015 B. S.) by Shiva Raj Panta
RNAC Building by
Bhubaneshwor Lal Shrestha
Post Office Building, Sundhara by Indian Cooperation Mission
NEPALI CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTS
Shankar Nath Rimal
Eldest son of Devendra Nath Rimal And Sita
Devi, was born on 1st March 1935 in Tangal, Kathmandu
Schooling: pre primary – Nandiratri School,
Naxal
Secondary – Durbar High School ( SLC in
1950) along with brothers; Gauri
Nath and Durga Nath
Shankar Nath joined Engineering despite the
family’s wish for him to be a doctor.
He received Colombo Plan for Electrical
Engineering and later shifted to Civil Engineering. He graduated from
Calcutta University in 1957.
Started professional work as assistant
Engineer in the public works department.
In 1959, left for Germany on a year long
training in Dtckechooff and Widman K. G.
In 1961 Started his own firm” Shankar Nath
Rimal Engineers and Architects P. Limited.”
Spent his life on creative domain which led
him to the threshold of perfectionist.
He spared time for creative works in the
form of sculpture and painting in water colour, oil etc. The
paintings are rather abstract and fresh with bold use of colours. His sketches
contain minute details. He has also expressed his emotions in some of his
miniature sculptures. He has displyed his skills in other specilized fields
such as Project Writing, Structural Details, Working Drawing and Landscape
Design.
He also reshaped our national Flag to
proportion
HIS PHILOSOPHY
Spiritual Quality in designs
Heterogenity over
homogenity
Redefine Nepali Architectural Space
Use of Modern Technology
Faithful use of
elements
Emphasis on purity of form
Cost Effective
HIS VIEWS
§
One must be fully engaged in his
work to be successful
§
Originality comes from philosophy,
which is also essesntial to achieve sustainability
§
Architecture is an applied art;
point where art and science meets to form a different new
§
Planning, Aesthetic and Structure
should be given equal importance; without Planning it cannot be functional;
without Aesthetic it cannot be satisfactory and without structure it will fail.
§
Better locally available materials
with local workmanship while use of modern material should be in a simplified
way.
HIS WORKS
Include Gateways, Hotels, Industries, Public
Buildings, Institutions, Museums, Library, Auditoriums, Temples and numerous Residences.
“Sahid Gate”, first of his works:–
memorial arc Nepal Smarak Dwar - 1958
Narayanhiti Royal Palace - Engineer Incharge of construction (1961-1972), in which Mangal
Sadan, Nanigung and Darbar Parisar are his own creation.
Hotel Soaltee,
Kalimati – 1962, along with G. D. Bhatta
Royal Nepal Academy, Kamaladi - 1964
Hotel Everest International, New Baneshwor -
1969
Tikapur Town Planning (Pop. 25000) - 1973
– space contigeous with the
surrounding
Dynamic; Interwoven house blocks and green
zones
Janakpur Cigarette Factory - 1964
Yagna Shala Building, Pashupati Nath Temple
Complex
Taragaon Cultural Tourism Centre
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building, Singha
Darbar - 1969
Amrit Science Campus, Chhinalata Guthi,
Nepal Art Council, Rastra Bank, Bhairahawa
NIDC Arcade, Mercantile Corporation show
room, Hetaunda Flour Mill, Tikapur Hospital
Staff Housing for Bansbari Shoe Factory,
Clock Tower at Janakpur, Temple at Devaghat
Lumbini Development Trust; Library, Museum
and Auditorium Building, Reuki Training Centre, Pokhara, Bishnu Mandir,
Singapore, Pashupati Nath Temple, Patan, Medicare Hospital, Balkhu, Nepal
Temple, USA
Residences
-
Pangre Ghar (Mr. Khagda Bahadur Singh), Pulchowk
-
Khutte Ghar ( Mrs. Angur Baba Joshi)
-
Shanti Sadan (Her Late Highness Shanti Singh)
-
Shova Sadan (Her Royal Highness Shova Singh)
Ganga Dhar Bhatta (Halabe)
THE MAN
First Nepali Architect ( B. Arch Degree, from India)
Upon Completion of bachelor degree ( 1961),
he joined Bhawan Vibhag (the Department of Building) as an assistant
Engineer. At the time there was no position for architects.
Upatyaka Nirman Samiti was established to work out on development plans.
Instrumental in promoting Architecture in
its modern form in Nepal
He drew the first Kathmandu Valley Map
based on the photographs taken from Plane
Later dropped architectural practice and
completely engaged himself in Poultry farming
HIS PHILOSOPHY
Architecture and Society should go hand in hand
The ingredients of a good building; Honesty,
Sincerety, Seriousness and Hard work.
Form should satisfy function
Building should respond to its surrounding
HIS WORKS
Hotel Soaltee, along with S.N. Rimal
City Hall, Exhibition Road
Features: Dynamic Building form, Abstract Gateway, Segregated Vehicular
and Pedestrian approach, Wide open-riser
Stairway leading to ther first floor,
Large Windows, Complementing Landscape
Master Plan and pavilion design of Dasarath
Stadium
Police Club Building, Exhibition Road
Rastrya Panchayat Building:
Comissioned
through Design Competition. Consisted of five buildings; The Assembly Hall,
Secretatiat Building, Library Building, Multipurpose Hall and Restaurant. The
90 ft. dia Assembly hall was never built. Jeewan Kunj, Green Houses, Godavari
Botanical Garden
Carl Pruscha
THE MAN
Austrian
Architect
Assigned to prepare the master plan
of Kathmandu Valley ( 60s), influenced architectural trend in Nepal.
The communal institutions were the visible
pivotal points forming centres of the compact towns and villages.
Translated the prevailing rules to
incorporate them into more modern and technical context.
Architecture as the appropriate response he
helped recover the lost methodology to unite techniques and Discipline in
construction
The environment; existing forms and
functions, was the basis on which he
produced contextual yet new and refined spaces. He assimilated the spirit of
the place and the rules presiding over spatial transformation.
Made aware the bond between Architecture and
Urban Planning
The building activity is a victory gained
over the danger of dissolution and in support of the cosmic order with which
the work is and must be in harmony.
Made great attempts in merging his buildings
into the surrounding, physically
While he intentionally avoided any features
suggestive of Nepali architecture, yet managed to design buildings in harmony
with the place.
HIS PHILOSOPHY
Architecture is a response to a higher need
– man’s need for shelter and his need to satisfy definite spiritual impulses
along with physical shape
Great respect for climate and adaptation of
building to the landscape
Adopted simplicity in construction and used
technology within the grasp of the local workmanship.
A timeless architectural vocabulary,
one that cannot be dated by stylish feature.
HIS WORKS
Centre for Economic Development and
Administration (CEDA) building at Tribhuvan University
(T.U.), Kirtipur
Taragoan Resort,
Bauddha