Architecture is more than the construction of spaces; it is a means through which societies record their history, values, and identity. They are the material forms of human existence, and they act as repositories to hold the collective memory and cultural identity. Architecture defines communities, nations, and civilizations from ancient monuments to modern-day structures.
Architecture’s Role as Collective Memory
Structures are the tangible archives that carry historical narratives in their design, construction, and functions. Structures such as the Athena Parthenon at Athens or the Notre-Dame Cathedral at Paris have the cultural and historical significance of the place they are located in (Lowenthal, 1985). In the context of Nepal, the Pashupatinath Temple premises of Kathmandu, Nepal, which has a pagoda form temple with elegant wood carvings and multiple stone miniature temples from centuries showcasing artistic excellence, and is a spiritual archive of Hindu religious traditions.
Architectural archiving also takes the form of the structures that were constructed as a remembrance of some events or ideologies. The Narayanhiti Palace, which serves as a museum today, served as a royal residence for the Shah dynasty until the republican shift in 2008, with rooms that are preserved to narrate the stories of power and political change of the past. Another structure, the Shahid Gate of Kathmandu, serves as a tribute to the four martyrs who are celebrated for their resistance against the autocratic Rana Regime, which lasted for 104 years. Over the years, the structure stood as a symbol of the nation’s struggle for democracy and its historical transition. Not only monuments, daily-use structures such as Newari courtyard houses of the ancient Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur form repositories. These houses, with intricately carved wooden windows and shared courts, are repositories for the social and cultural practice of the Newari concerning family lineages and the local tradition.
Architecture and Formation of Identity
Buildings play a vital role in shaping both individual and collective identities in the sense that they are used as physical representations of cultural, national, and communal values. Swayambhunath Stupa, which is located in Kathmandu, Nepal, is also a powerful emblem of Buddhist heritage and national identity, fostering unity among Nepal’s diverse ethnic and religious groups. Architecture also conveys power relations. Nepali Rana-era palaces like Singha Durbar showcase neoclassical and Mughal elements, which reflect the desire of the elites during the 19th and 20th centuries. Repurposed as government buildings, they represent Nepal’s nationhood as a democratic country. While retaining their archival significance.
Public spaces also advocate for collective identity. The Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares, with their pagoda temples, palaces, and open courtyards, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, represent Nepal’s identity. The multi-tiered pagoda roofs of Nyatapola in Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the stone-carved Krishna Temple of Patan Durbar Square, and Taleju Temple of Kathmandu Durbar Square are some examples that reflect the Newari craftsmanship and religious unity. These squares remain active to this day as public spaces that host festivals and rituals that connect the modern Nepalese to their historical roots.
Challenges in Preserving Architectural Archives
Conservation of architectural archives faces various issues, such as urbanization and natural disasters. The rapid urbanization mostly focuses on economic gain rather than preserving historical and cultural values, because of which the destruction of historical structures can be seen in many places. As of Kathmandu, due to urbanization such as road expansion and construction of commercial buildings, many Newari houses have been destroyed and are being replaced by concrete buildings, which destroys the city’s cultural and traditional identity.
Nepal is vulnerable to environmental factors such as floods and earthquakes. The 2015 Gorkha earthquake destroyed various heritage sites, including parts of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, highlighting the vulnerability of heritage structures to natural disasters. The rebuilding of Kasthamandap faces the challenge of balancing the authenticity of the old structure with the modern safety standards in the restoration of Kasthamandap, a 7th-century pavilion central to Kathmandu’s identity.
Role of Adaptive Reuse and Modern Design
Adaptive reuse saves architectural heritage but also assists in meeting the demands of the present. The Taragaon Museum in Kathmandu, a converted 1970s hostel block, houses Nepalese art and architecture. Seismic strengthening of the Boudhanath Stupa balances tradition with modern engineering. Planning needs to be site-sensitive to avoid the urban sprawl into the historical areas.
Buildings are not just functional spaces; they are records that preserve the stories, values, and identities of their societies. In Nepal, from the Pashupatinath Temple to the spaces like Durbar Squares, architecture archives the collective memory and identity. Also, by promoting adaptive reuse and thoughtful modern design, society’s architectural archive continues to shape collective memory and identity for future generations.
References:
Lowenthal, D. (1985). The Past is a Foreign Country. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge [Cambridgeshire] ; New York.
