PANAJI
Is the controversial restoration or repair work at the iconic Kala Academy being carried without the supervision of an architect or expert?
The Charles Correa Foundation has expressed this apprehension after receiving a communication from PWD’s Chief Architect Marwin Gomes and has offered its services “pro-bono” to ensure the originality of the edifice is retained.
In his communication to the Foundation, Gomes said: “For the design of the flooring, drive way and entrance gate, a consultant has been appointed. The said consultant has verbally informed during a meeting that he will not be following the details/ elevation that were existing earlier due to technical reasons and that better materials are now available in the market.”
Accordingly, Gomes has asked the Foundation to contact the Director of Art and Culture and seek clarification whether the ongoing work is renovation or restoration.
The Foundation meanwhile has written to the Director of Art and Culture that it has in its archives the original drawings and photographs required to ensure an accurate restoration of Kala Academy and the murals in the building and to appoint it to oversee the restoration of the architectural finishes and interiors which it would agree to do pro-bono.
The Charles Correa Foundation has also drawn the attention of the Director that the High Court judgement of July 2021 regarding Kala Academy had directed that no portion of the building will be demolished, but only repaired to preserve and up-keep the same.
“In the case of the final finishes, a lot of changes are being executed that go against the notion of restoration of the building,” it said, adding that it came to its notice that there does not seem to be any expert architect who is taking responsibility for the restoration works.
Kala Academy is an incredibly important building, appreciated by the international architecture community and finds itself in the syllabus of architectural education in India, the Charles Correa Foundation said, adding that it needs to be restored in a scientific manner, by qualified professionals.
