If we see some 50 years ago pictures of Kathmandu Valley then it is really different then what we see now. The houses in traditional Nepali style and the houses near new road were with British style. There was a fusion in architecture of Nepali and British.
When Kathmandu was introduced with concrete, the architecture from traditional one started to change into ugly modern looking style, Kathmandu now completely turned into concrete city. People started building houses in random order without any study about future, it’s effect in future and planing. This is one of the reason we are facing traffic jam, not good sanitation and drinking water supply now.
Preserving the history, Making house in old style as it used to look before
What kind of people were there at the administrative level of the government at that time who’s decision almost made the vanishing-point of our traditional architect. These architect are just alive as temples and old durbar now.
But I think there are still people alive who love old and traditional architect. You can see the example at Makhan next to Suraj arcade or Dragon house. See the new building next to it. You will hardly say it is a new building, but the truth is that it is a new building.
I salute the owner of the house for preserving the history. At least it will give some hints how Kathmandu and the surrounding of Durbar Square used look like few decade ago.
I hope we Nepali people love our traditional architecture and with the fusion with new technology they will preserve our tradition and will start building such house which reflect history.
This dose not means I am against the new style of building houses. See the location I talked about. It is a historical location and it should look like past.
In future may be we will be able to make world’s tallest skyscraper, but let’s not make it at historical place but somewhere far which does not affect the historical identity and give itself new identity of modernization.
Old house at ( I hope the owner of this house will also make the house in a traditional way like the one opposite to it)
Which Building looks better? just next to this traditional look house is Suraj Arcade
August 22nd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
This can be one of the awareness for the local resident that our traditional architecture has its own charm and beauty that stand much more than the nowadays so called modern architecture of Nepal. I admire the owners of the building but I was bit disappointed when I saw the use of the building recently. May be the owner should had rented for the traditional goods which would have been added more beauty to the building. But ya no second doubt for the look.