Conversation with Kamalahasan Ramaswamy
( Managing Partner – M/s Cuboid Architects )
by, HINDU Reporter
RENOVATION: One of the heritage houses near Pollachi is being converted into a hotel.
Larger houses on bigger plots with a “thinnai” in the front, a courtyard inside (thottikattu), double pillars, and the kitchen at the rear end of the house – sometimes even separated by a short connecting corridor – a number of old houses in Kongunadu have these features.
However, finding such a house, well-preserved, may not be an easy task now.
Demand
With developmental pressures and the demand for space, a large number of old houses in Ramnagar, old town area, R.S. Puram and Race Course have given way to modern structures.
“The city will have an image if the old buildings are preserved,” says Kamalahasan Ramaswamy, an architect here who specialises in building conservation.
In any society, there are public buildings, temples and domestic structures. Houses form almost 75 per cent of the building stock in a city.
These reflect the way of life and hence, need to be preserved. Some old houses in Chettinad have been restored. In Pondicherry, the Government has come out with several programmes for conserving old public buildings. And, there are private initiatives too.
He explains that anything built before the advent of concrete is considered heritage. Such structures were built till the 1950s, mainly using brick, lime, wood and tiles.
These are quite strong and only need maintenance. When the structure gets weak, these can be restored and converted as office, retail or hotel space.
Mr. Ramaswamy explains that there are two concepts – preservation and conservation.
In preservation, every thing is preserved as it is. In conservation, the concept is maintained and “sympathetic alterations” are made.
These buildings have the original emphasis. The cost involved in restoration depends on the condition of the building.
Restoration certainly gives value addition. Any heritage building with at least 2,000 to 2,500 sq.ft. Will be viable for restoration.
There are people who search for heritage places to stay when they visit a city. Heritage hotels are recognised too as there are standards to be adhered to.
Draft
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has come out with draft for grading of heritage buildings.
The old construction techniques and materials are still available.
For instance, the advantage of brick lime wall is that lime gets hard with age. It sets well.
So, when additions are made to a building with brick lime walls, it is better to go in for similar
walls rather than using concrete.
While doing cosmetic repairs in such buildings, it is essential to consult and take the right step.
One wrong move can have a negative impact on the entire building. Contractors and
engineers too need to be educated on this.
Efforts should be taken to create awareness among the public on the need to preserve these buildings. If need be, functional modifications can be made.
Preserving old buildings give the fabric of society. They give an insight into the earlier way of life, he says.
Larger houses on bigger plots with a “thinnai” in the front, a courtyard inside (thottikattu), double pillars, and the kitchen at the rear end of the house – sometimes even separated by a short connecting corridor – a number of old houses in Kongunadu have these features.
However, finding such a house, well-preserved, may not be an easy task now.
Demand
With developmental pressures and the demand for space, a large number of old houses in Ramnagar, old town area, R.S. Puram and Race Course have given way to modern structures.
“The city will have an image if the old buildings are preserved,” says Kamalahasan Ramaswamy, an architect here who specialises in building conservation.
In any society, there are public buildings, temples and domestic structures. Houses form almost 75 per cent of the building stock in a city.
These reflect the way of life and hence, need to be preserved. Some old houses in Chettinad have been restored. In Pondicherry, the Government has come out with several programmes for conserving old public buildings. And, there are private initiatives too.
He explains that anything built before the advent of concrete is considered heritage. Such structures were built till the 1950s, mainly using brick, lime, wood and tiles.
These are quite strong and only need maintenance. When the structure gets weak, these can be restored and converted as office, retail or hotel space.
Mr. Ramaswamy explains that there are two concepts – preservation and conservation.
In preservation, every thing is preserved as it is. In conservation, the concept is maintained and “sympathetic alterations” are made.
These buildings have the original emphasis. The cost involved in restoration depends on the condition of the building.
Restoration certainly gives value addition. Any heritage building with at least 2,000 to 2,500 sq.ft. Will be viable for restoration.
There are people who search for heritage places to stay when they visit a city. Heritage hotels are recognised too as there are standards to be adhered to.
Draft
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has come out with draft for grading of heritage buildings.
The old construction techniques and materials are still available.
For instance, the advantage of brick lime wall is that lime gets hard with age. It sets well.
So, when additions are made to a building with brick lime walls, it is better to go in for similar
walls rather than using concrete.
While doing cosmetic repairs in such buildings, it is essential to consult and take the right step.
One wrong move can have a negative impact on the entire building. Contractors and
engineers too need to be educated on this.
Efforts should be taken to create awareness among the public on the need to preserve these buildings. If need be, functional modifications can be made.
Preserving old buildings give the fabric of society. They give an insight into the earlier way of life, he says.