Nizam Mahabub Ali Khan laid the foundation of the grand town hall, famously known as “Old Assembly” in 1905 and the construction was completed in 1913. Since then, the building has always served vital government functions and have been a landmark of the city. The structure is a magnificent example of amalgamation of indigenous and colonial styles. The imposing façade of the building is defined by quintessential Indian architectural elements, including grand canopies, cusped arches, fluted columns, and intricate decorative brackets. In contrast, the interiors feature colonial style defined by corinthian columns, floral garlands and Victorian Minton tiles. incompatible additions, excessive water ingress and lack of maintenance had made it vulnerable and unfit for use. Initially, the proposal suggested replacing the original jack arches roof with RCC deck slabs costing over 50 crores. This would have highly altered the architectural character of the structure and threatened its structural integrity.
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) on invitation from Government of Telangana, proposed the conservation of the structure by retaining the original built fabric which was agreed by the Government. A craft-based approach was adopted with a focus on utilizing traditional materials and techniques, and engaging master craftspeople.
To restore the 60,000 square feet structure, hundreds of craftspeople worked tirelessly in a phased manner to meet the high priority deadlines. As a result, the conservation works were completed in a year and a half.
Extensive conservation efforts, underpinned by rigorous investigation and research, were undertaken to restore damaged or lost architectural elements, ensuring the building’s structural stability and facilitating its reuse.
A critical issue caused by the extension on the facade was the obstruction of the original rainwater disposal system. This hindrance led to severe water seepage, which compromised the integrity of the roof and eventually rendered the building unusable. Addressing this vulnerability was the primary focus of the conservation efforts.
Significant conservation activities involved the meticulous repair and waterproofing of the main hall roof and the lower terraces of the historic portion. Additionally, the conservation works included restoration of the missing or damaged lime stucco ornamentation, reinstatement of historic tiles on the first floor, and the implementation of appropriate plinth protection.
This labor-intensive process engaged a diverse group of artisans, including lime craftspeople, local potters, coppersmiths, traditional tile manufacturers, and carpenters, who collectively dedicated over 50,000 workdays to the project. The conservation efforts were coupled with high degree of supervision by an inter-disciplinary team of Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC, and expert advice on historic structural assessment.
Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture