Building anew | Making A Difference

Rabindra Puri's Model House in Bhaktapur has served as inspiration to mny visitors. It is also the subject of Machanaya, a documentary directed by Deepak Rauniyar, and the location of our cover shoot this month.

The 150-year-old house looks the way it always has, only the interiors have been modified according to time and convenience. For this, Rabindra was also awarded the UNESCO Heritage Award in 2004. What inspired him? "Destruction," says Rabindra. "Haphazardly built concrete buildings made me determined to renovate my old house."

Rabindra worked at Patan Museum for three years as a sculptor and architect. He had the opportunity to study Development Policy in Germany in1993. "I topped the university, Bremen University. GTZ in Nepal found that out and after I returned, offered me a job as programme officer," says Rabindra. For four years, while he worked there, he saw old houses being demolished in places like Kirtipur, Thimi, and Bhaktapur. "I just couldn't watch and do nothing so I quit my job and began working for the preservation of traditional houses."

Rabindra bought the house, which was later christened Namuna Ghar, in 1999 for Rs 7,00,000. It cost him Rs 15,00,000 and a year-and-half to renovate it. Rabindra says, "People think about building a new house after getting a good career and a handsome salary. I disregard that concept." He adds, "I've used 'chukuls' to protect my house during earthquakes because it keeps wood and wall intact. I've tied the beams in every wall to reduce the chances of collapse from corners."

Rabindra has moved on to build an ashram in Dolalghat, a house for a German family in Panauti, and Greenland Guest House in Sallaghari. "At Fulbari, I saw a school being build of concrete. I stopped and convinced them not to use concrete, promising to arrange funds myself," he adds. With help from the Rotary Club of Canada and a few German friends, the school is being built in traditional Nepali style.

More than 10,000 people have visited the Model House and Rabindra dreams of building 1,000 such houses in his lifetime. Now, Rabindra teaches History of Nepali Arts at Kathmandu University. He says: "I take my students on field visits and am satisfied to see that they, too, are keen on preserving our own architectural style."