CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF HISTORIC CHAMBA HOUSE, LAHORE BEFORE AND AFTER CONSERVATION

Abstract

Heritage does not only include monumental buildings like forts and mosques; but also includes small-scale residential buildings, which reveals the living style of people who used to own that place. Chamba House is one of the small-scale hidden edifices located in the heart of Government officer Residence (GOR) Lahore, Pakistan. It is one of the few buildings constructed under the Indo-Saracenic style developed during the British Raj in Lahore. The house has been a residence to many nobles and still welcomes many tourists. The first impression of the Chamba House is a palace standing between the lush green trees of GOR in a very good condition, but from a closer look, it has many natural and manmade damages over the time. The study reveals the details of its architectural style, ornamentation, and most importantly the conservation carried out in 2020 of the deteriorating structures and the causes of its decay. The research identifies the conservation condition assessment that will help the authorities to mark it and that can further be saved in the same condition. The research was carried out with the aim to highlight this significant monument and condition analysis before and after the areas repaired/conserved were documented and also those areas were photographed and added to the paper.