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Audrey House, Ranchi

Audrey House, one of the oldest buildings in Ranchi. is now a part of the Governor’s Residence. This 160 years old building was built in 1854 by Captain Hannyington, Deputy Commissioner of Chotanagpur (1850-1856). Before the Raj Bhawan came into existence, this building was an extension of the Governor’s secretariats during the time when Ranchi was the summer capital of Audrey House undivided Bihar.

This historical building is a heritage property of the Government and was in need of restoration work to make it re-functional. The site has been chosen for work under the Jharkhand 13th Finance Commission Conservation & Restoration Projects along with 23 other sites. A large section of the building remained locked up for years. The campus is filled with trees and wild vegetation. The old wall was made of sun dried bricks by laying it with horizontal bamboo frames and mud-lime mortar, and presently not in good condition. Work actually started in 2011 after a Detailed Project Report was drawn up by INTACH. Structural strengthening is one of the major works that has been done. A part of the wooden floor was also restored. The old tiles on the roof were replaced with new one and old wooden purlins and rafters were consolidated. Parapet railings got exchanged. There was a total over hauling of services and landscape work. The electrical, air conditioning has been done anew, and landscaping of the surrounding open area was carried out with cobbled pathways, lawns, open air amphitheatres, etc. The restored building has been inaugurated by the Honorable President of India Mr. Pranab Mukherjee on January 10th, 2016.

Bassain Kothi, Ludhiana District

The Maharaja Duleep Singh Memorial, Bassian Kothi had once sheltered the last Maharaja of Punjab Duleep Singh on his way to exile in Britain and later fell into ruins. The conservation work undertaken by INTACH commenced in 2011 with funding from the Punjab Government. It has been restored and dedicated to the life of the unfortunate Maharaja who lost his kingdom for no fault of his own. The exhibits of his early life are complemented with replicas of his belongings, prints and visual media. The surrounding open spaces have been developed into gardens and an amphitheater to complement the main structure.

It was inaugurated by the Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal on 24th May 2015, and was well covered by the media. The Chief Minister greatly appreciated the organization’s conservation work. The Kothi, has now been opened to the public.

Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan

Redevelopment of the Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan, an initiative of the Bihar Department of Industries aims to conserve this heritage building as well as the upgradation and extension of the workspaces according to current needs. The new extension of the institute has been designed by AHD as a space that inspires art
enthusiasts and veterans to work together. The spaces are modular in arrangement, extending to open courtyards and ancillary spaces where the workspace spreads out to greens and not restricted to indoors. The Plan with open courts and shaded structures allows flexibility according to the needs of a particular workshop and the number of people working. The new blocks are designed to have exposed brick masonry and use vernacular elements and material like ropes in tensile structures for tying and dying of textiles. The technical sanction for this project is in the final stages, and the foundation stone laying ceremony by the Chief Minister of Bihar has already taken place. INTACH is hopeful that the Phase I of the project will commence shortly.

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