InfoAnda - Architect on a mission to save Kathmandu's soul

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Gulf youths challenge conservative norms with their cameras | 18 April 2010
Malaysian opposition figure says arrested for breaching bank law | | 1 August 2012
Carjackers kill peacekeeper in Sudan's Darfur | 9 May 2009

Argentine folk singer Sosa's condition worsening | 3 October 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Architect on a mission to save Kathmandu's soul

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Asia Pacific World Architect on a mission to save Kathmandu's soul AFP - 2 hours 11 minutes ago Send IM Story Print Nepalese architect Rabindra Puri speaks during an interview in a restored 150 year-old farmhouse, his first project which now functions as a museum as well as his studio, in Bhaktapur city, 13kms east of Kathmandu. KATHMANDU (AFP) - – Nepal's ancient capital Kathmandu is famed around the world for its intricately carved medieval temples and ancient royal palaces. But as the once-sleepy city hurtles into the 21st century, the distinctive architecture that visitors once flocked to see is rapidly being replaced by the high-rise concrete structures favoured by modern residents. It is a trend the Nepalese architect Rabindra Puri bitterly opposes -- and he is on a one-man mission to prevent the disappearance of what he calls the "soul" of Kathmandu and its surroundings. Puri, a former sculptor, was struck by the city's transformation when he returned from a two-year study trip in Europe in 1995. "My heart wept to see so many concrete buildings, they were ugly and had no substance," the 40-year-old told AFP in an interview. "These new building models are an act of arrogance, of alienation from our history. But they are popular with the wealthy elite." Puri had developed a passion for the traditional architecture of Nepal when he worked as a model-maker on a project to restore ancient buildings in Patan, the historic city that adjoins Kathmandu. So, four years after his return and much to the astonishment of friends and colleagues, he quit a highly-paid job with the German government development agency to try his hand at restoring old properties. His first case was a 150-year-old dilapidated farmhouse in Bhaktapur, around 13 kilometres (eight miles) east of Kathmandu, that for the last five years had been used to keep chickens. The house was a classic example of the architecture of the Newars -- the indigenous inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley who are renowned for their striking brick work and unique form of wood carving. The restoration began in 1999 and won the prestigious UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award five years later, with the judges saying it "paved the way for the conservation of similar traditional buildings throughout Nepal." The house, which now functions as a museum as well as Puri's studio, is equipped with a modern kitchen and bathroom to show that living in an old building need not mean skimping on creature comforts. Puri -- the first Nepalese architect to win the UNESCO award -- prides himself on reusing as many of the original materials as possible, and believes this is the secret of his success. "The basic theory of conservation is to make only minimal change and to use traditional methods for restoring," he said. "You do not destroy anything unless it's absolutely necessary." Since then, Puri has worked on 35 other projects, at times restoring old buildings and at times transforming the concrete structures he hates to ensure they blend in with the city's traditional architecture. "Conservation of our cultural heritage would probably be the best way to describe what I do," said Puri, who makes no attempt to disguise his contempt for most of his colleagues in the industry. "In the 1960s, architects and engineers who studied in Russia and India came back to Nepal. They needed to prove the worth of their foreign degrees," he said. "They started saying that traditional designs were not strong enough and were expensive, which is the exact opposite of my experience." In fact, Puri says, traditional buildings are often more likely to withstand earthquakes than the modern high-rises preferred by Kathmandu's wealthier inhabitants because they sway rather than collapsing. "In the city centre you can see many traditional houses that tilt, some by as much as 15 degrees, but they do not fall over. Modern buildings often cannot handle even five degrees of inclination," he said. "The other big advantage of living in a traditional building is that they are warmer in winter and cooler in summer." Last year, Puri launched a conservation foundation in his own name, and he is now planning his most ambitious project yet -- the restoration of an entire town. Panauti, 35 kilometres southeast of Kathmandu, combines architecture from the era of the Malla kings who ruled the area from the 13th century with 19th-century palaces built by Nepal's former ruling dynasty, the Ranas. Its medieval water and sewage systems -- among the most advanced in the ancient world -- were restored in the 1990s by a group of French experts, and now Puri hopes to do the same for its buildings. With support from local people, he hopes to restore and modernise around 700 buildings in Panauti. "Panauti's cultural heritage has been preserved intact and it is still possible to save it from being ruined (by modern construction)," said Puri. "In many cities, people are paid to wear traditional dress and play traditional music. But in places like Panauti, it's a way of life." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Pope takes on reality-TV stars for music award AFP - Monday, February 15 Prison thriller sweeps Spain's Goya film awards AFP - Monday, February 15 "Avatar" still dominant at overseas box office Reuters - Monday, February 15 'Valentine's Day' tops Valentine's Day weekend box office AFP - Monday, February 15 "Valentine's Day" woos weekend moviegoers Reuters - Monday, February 15 News Search Top Stories First footage of clouded leopard captured in Borneo Astronauts outfit space station observation deck EU takes Greek economy under its wing Troubled Winter Olympics gets into medal mode Dutch tourist shot in Carnival mugging in Rio: police More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Third-hand smoke also bad for you: study Dutch tourist shot in Carnival mugging in Rio: police Troubled Winter Olympics gets into medal mode EU takes Greek economy under its wing US approves American Airlines, 'oneworld' alliance expansion More Most Viewed » Third-hand smoke also bad for you: study Pitt, Jolie sue British paper over split claims Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses Sugary soft drinks linked to pancreatic cancer: study More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Monday, 15 February 2010
U.S. wants peaceful solution to Iran nuclear dispute
Ukraine's Yanukovych pronounced official winner
Afghan offensive claims first civilian victims
Britain's far-right party to ditch whites-only membership rule |
Hamas arrests British journalist in Gaza |
South Blanketed By Rare Winter Snow Storm
Down and dirty at Brazil Carnival mud party |
ConocoPhillips Exec Killed In Alaskan Avalanche
Stabbing sparks fresh anti-immigration calls in Italy
Kenya suspends ministers over graft allegations |
Netanyahu to lobby in Russia for Iran sanctions |
Thousands protest Niger president's grip on power |
Samsung, Sony Ericsson roll out new smartphones |
NATO rockets miss target, kill 12 Afghan civilians
India says investigating blast, Pakistan talks on
Google, Apple pile pressure on phone world |
Pakistani PM plays down crisis; opposition pounces
Clinton warns Iran of greater costs on nuclear program
India bomb blast clouds renewal of Pakistan talks
US 'disappointed' with lack of Mideast peace: Clinton
Indonesia's Aceh holds first transvestite contest
NATO forces face Taliban mines, resistance
Ben Stiller gets serious in Berlin film fest contender
Valentine's Day woos weekend moviegoers |
Secretive urban artist Banksy shows film in Berlin |
Indonesian Muslims told don't mark Valentine's Day
Crime, curbs and controversy for Rio's Carnival
Stiller gets serious in movie on mid-life crisis |
Floods kill 2 in Indonesia, swamp 100s of houses
Indonesia records new bird flu fatality
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Human error to blame for Indonesia's mud volcano: scientists
Stiller gets serious in movie on mid-life crisis
Chinese Coen brothers remake thrills Berlin festival
Indonesian graft fighter given 18 years for murder
Five Australians jailed for jihad plot |
Haiti airport to reopen for big carriers on Friday |
U.S. Marines say make steady progress in Afghan assault |
Five dead after Colombian rebels ambush candidate |
Astronauts outfit space station observation deck
Sudan's SPLM launches poll campaign to beat Bashir |
A 7-year-old Rio Carnival queen parades, in tears |
Taliban hinder Afghan offensive with booby traps
Best-selling British author Dick Francis dead at 89
US-TECH Summary
Adobe pushes mobile video despite Apple stand-off
Netanyahu visits Moscow to seek backing for Iran sanctions
Omnifone signs music deal for Google's Android
Clinton tackles Mideast peace, Muslim ties in Gulf
Good Tech wins global licensing deal with LG
Sudan's SPLM launches poll campaign to beat Bashir
Netanyahu to lobby in Russia for Iran sanctions
US-TECH Summary
Good Tech wins global licensing deal with LG
Operators unite to challenge Apple's app store |
Adobe pushes mobile video despite Apple stand-off |
Linux group LiMo growing, Adobe joins |
Toy makers see joy in tech, green, classic in 2010 |
Omnifone signs music deal for Google's Android |
Indian police search for restaurant attackers
Greenpeace two plead not guilty in whale meat trial
Good Tech wins global licensing deal with LG |
Australia's jihad attack plotters jailed up to 28 years
Washington welcomes Yemen truce
Anti-whaling activist boards Japanese ship: official
Biden versus Cheney: vice presidents at war on terror
UN rights envoy visits Myanmar
Oldest US death row inmate dies of natural causes at 94
Anti-immigration Hanson quits Australia for Britain: report
First footage of new leopard species captured in Borneo
US senator open to options on Japan base dispute
Report: China to make massive investment in NKorea
UN envoy arrives Myanmar
India's Bharti says in talks to buy African telecom assets
China arranging foreign investment deal for N.Korea: report
Japan still world's No. 2 economy with 4Q GDP jump
Valentine's Day woos weekend moviegoers |
Pakistani stocks fall 1 pct amid row over judges
PAKISTAN
S.Korea import price fall slows further in Jan
Japan just ahead of China as No. 2 economy in 2009
The Knack lead singer Doug Fieger, 57, dies |
Japan 4Q GDP grows at 4.6 percent annual pace
S.Korea Jan LNG imports drop; coal surges
Avatar still dominant at overseas box office |
Architect on a mission to save Kathmandu's soul
Japan ahead of China as world's number two economy in 2009
Pope takes on reality-TV stars for music award
UN teaches DR Congo women to tackle rape
Prison thriller sweeps Spain's Goya film awards
"Avatar" still dominant at overseas box office
Say it with condoms this Valentine's Day, US NGO urges
'Valentine's Day' tops Valentine's Day weekend box office
Medals or making out
"Valentine's Day" woos weekend moviegoers
Italian minister warns against 'ghettos'
Microsoft unveils mobile platform upgrade
First footage of clouded leopard captured in Borneo
Protest at funeral of "tortured" Darfur student
Belgian trains crash head-on, 10 confirmed dead |
MTV To Host Movie Awards, Video Music Awards From Los Angeles
Linux group LiMo growing, Adobe joins
Six killed in heavy rain in Mecca
Pakistani lawyers boycott courts over judges row |
NASA Extends Shuttle Mission One Day As Crew Installs New Section
Anti-Saddam purge both woos and worries Iraq voters
Clinton: Iran moving toward military dictatorship |
Vin Diesel Up For Another "Riddick" Installment
British reporter held in Gaza under 15-day order |
Brittany Murphy's Final Film "Abandoned" Gets Release Date
Iran defies West on human rights at U.N. forum |
Arizona Helicopter Crash Kills 3
South Expecting More Snow, Cancelled Flights
Russia denies new Iran fuel swap proposals: report |
Hooded Men Open Fire In California Church; 2 Wounded
Fox Suspends "24" Shoot To Give Kiefer Sutherland Time To Undergo Cyst Surgery
France denies Iran given new fuel swap proposals |
New "We Are The World" Features Big Music Names And Michael Jackson
S.African opposition say Zuma has let down Mandela legacy |
Miley Cyrus Scores 4 Kids Choice Awards Nods
Israel asks Russia for Iran sanctions with teeth |
Iran becoming 'a military dictatorship': Clinton
Clinton fears Iran headed for military dictatorship
Clinton hopeful Mideast talks will begin this year
Nokia, Intel team up in phone software race |
Sri Lanka police say blast kills 2 Tamil children
Google calls Apple valuable partner, sees no change |
Pakistani lawyers boycott courts over judges row
Microsoft launches mobile software overhaul |
Sri Lanka's opposition coalition cracking
Samsung, Sony Ericsson roll out new smartphones |
Snipers harass US, Afghan troops moving in Marjah
Nokia and Intel merge high-end software |
Suspected US missile strike kills 3 in NW Pakistan
UN envoy arrives Myanmar to evaluate reform
Gunmen kill policeman in Indonesia's Papua
Sri Lanka's grand opposition coalition cracking
Cyclone Rene batters Tonga, cutting phone links
Police study video for attackers of Indian bakery
Pakistani foreign investment falls 34.4 pct
India inflation quickens to 14-month high
China arranging foreign investment deal for N.Korea: report
Japan still world's No. 2 economy with 4Q GDP jump
India inflation 8.6 pct, highest in 16 months
Philippine remittances rise to $17.3 billion
Japan probes Apple's iTunes over bogus credit bills
Carly Simon seeking videos for You're So Vain |
Roman Polanski in pole position at Berlin film festival |
Roman Polanski in pole position at Berlin film festival
Row brews over Moroccan alcohol law
Whistler home and away for snow-loving Aussies
Zahi Hawass, media-savvy guardian of Egypt's past
Barack Obama statue removed from Jakarta park
Malandrino, Yamamoto display prowess at fashion show
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01