Indian Culture And Architectural Heritage

India has always been the land of diverse facets along with its rich heritage beautifully interwoven in the fabric of our way of life and thought to be inseparable. Indian heritage is actually an outcome of continuous synthesis and has absorbed many external influences in the course of long journey of history.

Many great rulers came and left a mark on Indian history by constructing great architectural marvels. These buildings along with their roots and origin dating back to ancient times need to carry their legacy forward and adapt to the changing times.

Change occurs gradually and the transformation brought through a period of time in the form of revolution is always rooted in its past. Architects helped shape the world as we see it today. Our buildings give neighborhood their distinct character and at the same time provide a tangible connection to the past. And sometimes buildings often outlive the original purposes. This results in the process of adaptive reuse of such building in order to make the existing structure and surroundings active once again.

Get quality help now

WriterBelle

Verified writer

Proficient in: Architecture

4.7 (657)

“ Really polite, and a great writer! Task done as described and better, responded to all my questions promptly too! ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

When the original use of the structure changes or is no longer required, architects have the opportunity to change the primary function of the structure, while retaining some of the existing architectural details that make the building unique. The conservation of built structure not only contributes to the economic and environmental composition of a community, but also the social and cultural identity, which helps to create dynamic places, and defines the character, spirit and sense of a place.

An amalgamation of uses occurs when adaptive reuse is carried out creating a more vibrant atmosphere. Adaptive reuse reaffirms their presence in the neighborhood. By doing so one less building is added to the urban fabric and there is a lesser negative impact on the environment along with preservation of the true essence of that built form.

‘It is important to understand why we are drawn to a good building of any age. First there is the intellectual achievement of creating an artifact of beauty and interest. Second, the human achievement perceived by later generations in the care of the craftsmen in its construction. This care can also be visible in later repairs and alterations. Thirdly, we are drawn by the sense of place created both by the designers and many humans who have lived and worked in the building.’ - Alan Baxter, Journal of Architectural Conservation.

All heritage buildings give us a sense of wonder and make us want to know more about the people and culture that produced it. They have architectural, aesthetic, historic, documentary, archaeological, economic, social and even political and spiritual or symbolic values; but the first impact is always emotional, for it is a symbol of our cultural identity and continuity – a part of our heritage. If it has survived the hazards of 100 years of usefulness, it has a good claim to being called historic.

As these buildings have found a crucial place in our history, the need of conservation of such precincts arises. Conservation applies where a place is kept in its existing state with a minimum of interference except to prevent or forestall deterioration.it is inevitable that conservation will involve certain adaptive changes of the built heritage which will be kept in the minimum and within acceptable limits.

Out of fashion buildings are being eyed for demolition and replacement by people who have the means to make it happen. The number of buildings that are being abandoned or demolished due to their incapability to adapt to the changing times is increasing drastically due to which the neighborhood of the building loses its character and association to its original purpose.

Altering existing buildings for new functions is not a new phenomenon; in the past, buildings that were structurally secure have been adapted to fit changed needs or new functions without questions or problems. For example during the Renaissance period, classical monuments were transformed for new uses or during the French Revolution religious buildings were transformed for industrial functions or military uses after they had been confiscated and sold. These interventions, however, were done in a pragmatic way in many cases without heritage preservation as an intention. Instead, the driving force behind these examples of ‘reuse’ was functional and financial, in essence.

“The best way to preserve a building is to find a use for it, and then to satisfy so well the needs dictated by that use that there will never be any further need to make any further changes in the building.” – Eugene Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc.

There are various conservation practices; adaptive reuse being one among the many intervention procedures to bring a deteriorating building back to life. Adaptive reuse gives new life to a site, rather than seeking to freeze it at a particular moment in time, it explores the options that lie between the extremes of demolition or turning a site into something new. Adding a new layer without erasing earlier layers, an adaptive reuse project becomes a part of long history of the site. It is another stage, not the final outcome. Also reusing existing buildings for new functions has many sustainable, cultural, economic, and place making advantages.

But if the contemporary can be characterized by a critical alertness that allows us to look back and carefully and wisely chose what we wish to remember, that is what a rooted sense of history is all about. It is the discernment in that choosing, rather than the authenticity in an original and historical voice that is most important.