Text and photos: Courtesy UNESCO Bangkok

The UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards recognize the efforts of private individuals and organizations that have successfully restored and conserved structures and buildings of heritage value in the region. Eligible projects must be more than 50 years old and the restoration must have been completed within the past ten years. Buildings must have also been in viable use for at least one year from the date of the Awards announcement.

A panel of international conservation experts in architecture, urban planning, heritage conservation and landscape design conducted the selection process. All award-winning entries had an important impact in terms of stimulating further conservation works and all made a contribution to cultural continuity in their respective communities.

A total of 34 entries from 11 countries in the Asia-pacific region were submitted for the Heritage Awards These included six religious buildings, ten institutions, eight residential buildings, four commercial projects, two industrial buildings, three yuban conservation programmes, and one historic structure.

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai, India

A Renaissance Revival architectural gem, the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai has been restored to its historical splendour through a pioneering public-private partnership between the municipality of Mumbai, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation.  Through a holistic conservation plan, which has addressed both the museum building and the collection, the project establishes a new benchmark in the conservation of museums for India and the region.  By modernizing the internal infrastructure while paying careful attention to restoring the decorative details of the building, the project has demonstrated a balanced approach between the refined mastery of conservation techniques and the support of crafts skills.  Accordingly, the project has succeeded in sparking the revival of fading techniques such as gilding and stencil work.  The building now stands as a unique testimony to the development of Victorian architecture in the context of the hybrid building and crafts traditions of 19th-century India, as well as to the civic traditions embodied in one of the country’s earliest museums.

Mehrangarh Fort, Rajasthan, India

The far-sighted vision guiding the restoration of Mehrangarh Fort and its adaptive reuse into a museum has resulted in the safeguarding of the historic ruling seat as a living monument to the rich traditions of Rajasthan. The far-sighted vision guiding the restoration of Mehrangarh Fort and adaptive reuse into a museum has resulted in the safeguarding of the historic ruling seat as a living monument to the rich traditions of Rajasthan.  The ambitious large-scale project sets exemplary standards in opening up and interpreting the complex for the appreciation of local community members, outside visitors and future generations.  Through a practical conservation approach, the project has ensured the stabilization of the structure, the sensitive repair of traditional architectural features, and the modern upgrade of the space for its contemporary use.  Through the inspirational commitment of the Maharaja of Marwar - Jodhpur, the present-day use of the Fort as a socio-cultural and religious centre, under the administration of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust, has ensured the long-term vibrance of the complex.

Ayuguthi Sattal, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal

The reconstruction of the dilapidated Ayuguthi Sattal has restored a historic Newari vernacular building that forms the northern edge of the historic Patan Darbar Square.  The restoration allows for an authentic physical reading of the square which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  At the same time, the restored building sustains the historic continuity of the space by reinterpreting its historic function as a public rest house through its modern use as an information and visitor’s center.  Although the restoration work was delayed by a drawn-out process, resulting in the total dilapidation of the structure, the heroic effort of the partners allowed for authentic reconstruction using outstanding local artisans and materials based on meticulous documentation of the building.  The project establishes financial and legal conservation benchmarks in Nepal as the first project to be catalyzed by private investment, and also as the first building to be placed under legal monument protection.

Amburiq Mosque, Skardu, Baltistan, Pakistan

The sensitive conservation programme undertaken by the Aga Khan Cultural Services of Pakistan has restored the first mosque built in Baltistan, Amburiq.  Dating back over 600 years ago, the building had deteriorated following natural disasters that had destroyed its central tower and rendered it unstable.  By emphasizing the preservation of as much historic building fabric as possible through the primary use of local stone and mud building crafts and supplementary modern preservation techniques, the authentic Tibetan and Kashmiri architecture of the building has been saved.  The building and its courtyard have now been returned to modern use as a community museum, giving renewed life to one of the region’s historically and socially significant structures.

The Dutch Reformed Church, Galle, Sri Lanka

A landmark building in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Galle, the Dutch Reformed Church has been admirably restored through the collaboration of the local parish, the Central Cultural Fund, and the government of the Netherlands.  A systematic conservation plan has successfully restored the building and its historic interior fittings.  Inappropriate later additions were carefully removed, while historically important changes were retained, such as the stained glass windows. The project has mobilized traditional local crafts and traditional materials as well as technical conservation techniques.  As a living monument in continuous use from the time of its establishment as the first Protestant church on the island to the present day, the restoration of the Church celebrates the hybrid cultural traditions of the historic settlement.

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