HISTORIC PRESERVATION Conservation and the Community Jamshid Adi Bhiwandiwalla

Learning about cases of adaptive reuse for retaining the design integrity and retrofitting a new experience within the built heritage

Zoroastrian Information Centre at Udvada - Exteriors

30 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People March 2009 Zoroastrian Information Centre at Udvada - Exteriors

March 2009 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People 31 Zoroastrian Information Centre at Udvada - Exteriors

Zoroastrian Information Centre at Udvada - Interiors Zoroastrian Information Centre at Udvada - Interiors

useums retrofitted in Heritage addressing the youth thereby imparting ducive to learning, it has made its structures respond to the issue socio cultural values through the vari- impact to educate one and all about Mof Conservation through ous aspects of the glorious past of the their pasts guiding them towards the continuity along with addressing the community. Be it history, religion, future. What best can happen when the community youth. philosophy, antiquity, stalwarts and environs of these heritage structures are Today in the age of information, their achievements, when represented brought back to their earlier glory with Museums and Memorial centers are innovatively in an environment con- the help of architectural conservation

32 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People March 2009 Zoroastrian Information Centre at Udvada - interiors

Zoroastrian Information Centre at Udvada - Interiors

Zoroastrian Information Centre at Udvada - Interiors Zoroastrian Information Centre at Udvada - Interiors practice. They provide befitting ambi- museums for reliving the past pleasures Yatra Dham was setup in November 2007. ence and nostalgia of the past through of the visitors. Udvada, a sleepy town along the coast in these exhibitions. The above under- The first project, the Zoroastrian District is considered as the Mecca standing reflected in two projects and is Information Centre at Udvada, a Central for the , with the highest order of its to follow in the third where heritage and Govt Funded project under set as a core amongst a rich structures with minimal interventions the banner of the Tourism Dept. with the architectural fabric planned distinctly in are retrofitted into memorials and agenda to declare Udvada as a Pavitra medieval style. The town boasts of all the

March 2009 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People 33 Zoroastrian Information Centre at Udvada - Interiors Zoroastrian Information Centre at Udvada - Interiors qualities of a heritage town with around not a burden and is recovered from its use. The other project is the Sir Jamsetjee 450 structures exhibiting distinct It has become a necessity due its constant Jejeebhoy Memorial Museum in , Vernacular and European influences public use which ensures its periodic the recreated birthplace of the renowned ranging from a wide scale of residential to maintainance as well as sustainance. merchant prince who was also the first institutional. When the Tourism depart- The Zoroastrian Information Centre in Baronet Of English who ruled . Sir ment suggested for a new Information a most innovative manner Centre to be constructed the same was exhibits information, artifacts, refuted and suggested that it be accom- recreations and mockups on modated in the numerous existing her- subjects ranging from history to itage structures that would grant it a new religion, socio cultural traits to lease of life. A large range of structures renowned personalities and with a scale befitting public use were sug- their achievements, not to for- gested and surprisingly the same were get supported with a small acceptable for a structure that would audiovisual centre cum library soon have been lost. However, today it as well as a cafeteria. The centre boasts of its presence due to nature and caters to the interest of one and scale of its activity. all but especially to the youth This retrofitting of heritage structures who are usually looked down with new activities is usually termed as upon for not being able to Conservation in continuity. This is contrary respond to the cultural values. to the idea that heritage buildings be cor- Such a centre with its livid doned off for public viewing. Contrary to exhibits and innovative graph- this belief, heritage structures need to be ics have found encouraging put to appropriate public use so as to response from the youth who keep the building breathing and for those have been able to relate to the who can use the building to experience same and have sought such the magic of these spaces living upto the places as areas to interact with ambiences of the past. The success to others of their age groups, most of our heritage hotels are based on thereby encouraging positive similar ideologies where by the upkeep of socio cultural gatherings and Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Memorial most of these monumental buildings is intellectual development. Museum in Navsari - Exteriors

34 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People March 2009 Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Memorial Museum in Navsari - Exteriors

March 2009 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People 35 Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Memorial Museum in Navsari - Interiors

36 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People March 2009 r Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Memorial Museum in Navsari - Interiors

Jamsetjee till date is considered as the One Man Institution in Philanthropy and Education. His numerous charities way back in the 1800’s ranged from building hospital, roads, numerous dharamshalas and firetemples and schools which are still dotted over many parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat. He was a pio- neer in Women’s education and their lib- eration, secular thought and political awakening, community development and entrepreneurship, qualities and issues that are relevant even today. Inorder to bring light of these issues to the youth of today, specially to the numerous students visiting the schools , Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Memorial Museum in Navsari - Interiors the Sir JJ Charity Trust decided to

March 2009 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People 37 Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Memorial Museum in Navsari - Interiors

38 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People March 2009 action and cultural and value develop- ments. Truly worth the resources invest- ed considering the objectives that they are catering too, many more need to be envisaged for networking of various communities through such centers. One such similar project which is presently being conceptualized is for the Dawoodi Bohra community at Siddhpur beyond Ahmedabad in Gujarat. An underutilized sermon hall is being envisaged as a Community Information Centre cum Museum to supplement the Tourist who visit the renowned Heritage town of Siddhpur. Not to forget such an amenity shall also cater to the econ- omy as well as socio cultural ties of its local community. Lastly what best for a Conservation Architect who believes that safeguarding of Heritage structures can preserve, strengthen and accentuate the ongoing traditions and culture of a community, place or time. Conservation in Continuity has also proved to be advisable invest- ment and has also catered to the eco- nomic viability of its local residents. Hence, Conservation practice has given the opportunity to cater to minuscule communities in strengthening their socio cultural and economic ties. ■

Architect Jamshid Adi Bhiwandiwalla is a Post Graduate in Ancient Indian Cultures and has recently complet- Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Memorial Museum in Navsari - Interiors ed his Post Graduation in Architecture with the Subject showcase the life and his qualities by way graphs and appropriately designed of Revitalization of the Sacred of a Memorial Museum for everyone who information panels with apt lighting town of Udvada by Sustainable visits Navsari. The 250 year modest house transcends one to the ambience of life in Conservation through Continuity. which was his birthplace, within a Parsi the 1800’s. The idea core to this project Other than being a Faculty at the mohalla, truly reminiscent of its time, has was to enthuse the youth of big ideals Rizvi College of Architecture, the been appropriately recreated without and aspirations and awe them with pride above projects have been part of his losing the essence of the dwelling and is for his service for the community and small time professional practice. converted into a Museum for the experi- the country. ence of all. Family heirlooms, recreated Such projects are becoming new Photographs: Courtesy the bedrooms and kitchens, family photo- centers of learning, areas for social inter- Author.

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