AKTC Afghanistan Sept/Oct Newsletter
http://archnet.org/library/pubdownloader/pdf/10023/doc/DPC1649.pdf
PAKHTA FURUSHI MADRASA
IN THE OLD CITY OF KABUL
The conservation of a madrasa associated with
the important Pakhtafurushi mosque is nearing
completion, with all 52 brick domes repaired
and work proceeding on plastering, internal
finishes and servicing. With the agreement of
the Ministry of Haj & Awqaf, and generous
financial support from the UK Embassy in
Kabul, the leafy courtyard of the madrasa will
by next spring again be a place for children
from the old city to play and learn. Residents of
the neighbourhood are keen to see the complex
become a centre catering for young children,
incorporating educational, health and possibly
psycho-social services.
AKTC is keen to hear from groups who might
be interested in entering into a partnership to
realise these ideas within a unique historic
building at the heart of the Old City.
BAGHE BABUR
PAVILION
With the completion of the
conservation and upgrading
works, the Pavilion in
Baghe Babur is now
available for hire. In one
of most spectacular
settings in Kabul, the space
is deal for small receptions,
seminars or exhibitions.
HANDOVER OF AKHAWAN HOUSE ,
OLD CITY OF HERAT
In the face of widespread deterioration and
demolition of historic property in the old city,
AKTC continues to invest in the pilot restoration
of homes whose owners are willing to invest in
subsequent maintenance. The Akhawan house
is an important example of how the courtyard
layout, with separate summer and winter quarters
(which partly bridge over the adjacent
street, forming a characteristic dalan) and traditional
construction techniques came to be
adapted in the early 20th century. The house is
unusual in incorporating a family hammam
within a semi-basement. Investments have
focused on repairs of the roofs, as well as restoration
of external brick details, which has
entailed the production of decorated bricks in a
specially-commissioned kiln on the outskirts of
Herat. In addition, the surviving internal plaster
and painted decoration has been restored and
modern steel windows replaced with timber
casements that are in keeping with the original
design. The restored house has now been
handed back to its owners.
“ARCHAEOLOGY” – OLD HERAT
Despite assurances that all future redevelopment
will be carefully screened, swift
building permission was granted for another
major commercial building in the
heart of the old city in September 2006.
During excavations for the new building,
important pottery was unearthed, and
traces of historic brick walls and channels
were revealed.
Although photographed by AKTC and
others, no action was taken to enable
further investigations, which might have
yielded significant information about the
history of the site. A report on this case
has been submitted to the Ministry of Information
& Culture by staff of the German
Archaeological Institute, who were in Herat
at the time. Efforts continue to ensure that
appropriate controls are in place for all
development in the old city, and that
proper account is taken of the historic
significance of sites, where permission
might be granted for new building.
ALI COMMUNITY MOSQUE,
BAR DURRANI, HERAT
After several unsuccessful attempts by the
community, in the Bar Durrani quarter in the old
city, to undertake repairs of the ruined Haji
Adam Khan mosque, the last wall of the old
mosque collapsed in 2005. Having pooled available
funds for the construction of a new
mosque, community representatives approached
the AKTC team for advice on the
design. A traditional 6-bay brick-domed structure
was agreed, with a capacity for some 80
people to pray, including a small courtyard and
ablution area.
Construction work started in late 2005, and the
completed mosque was formally dedicated at a
ceremony in August 2006. In order to celebrate
the revival of the mosque, special glazed tile
panels based on Timurid calligraphic
designs, copied from a panel from Abdullah
Ansari Shrine, have been incorporated into the
main elevation.
As well as providing space for prayer, the tiny
mosque is now also the focus for religious education
for girls and boys from the neighbourhood
(see photograph on the right) and demonstrates
how new buildings can enhance historic
fabric.
Ismailimail 