Architectural Conservation of Decorative Timber Windows and Ornamental Columns at Buli Monastery

Abstract

Conservation and promotion of traditional architecture is one of the major policies of the Royal Government of Bhutan. It is mandatory for all the buildings to incorporate traditional features to get approval for construction. However, traditional architecture is getting marginalized due to the rampant influx of modern materials, construction methods and software dependent copy and paste designs. This is leading to a facade architecture which is neither modern nor traditional. Falsification of traditional details and the shrinking number of local artisans have all contributed to the deterioration of architectural heritage. This study describes the process of the conservation of timber structures in the ancient Buli monastery that was carried out by the Department of Culture, Bumthang District Administration and the American Himalayan Foundation. The project was successful in the conservation of the decorative timber windows and ornamental columns which was threatening the monument with collapse. The intervention was successful to restore the monument to its original form and conserve the timber members and its architectural heritage.