Heritage buildings in Coimbatore get a makeover
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None would have called it an iconic building. Today, it is being restored to its past glory at a cost of Rs10.25 crore.
Another heritage building that houses CCMA Govt Girls Higher Secondary School on Raja Street in the city is also getting a facelift at a cost of Rs7.60 crore.
Both the British-era buildings are being renovated by the Heritage Wing of the Public Works Department (PWD) by preserving their original architectural style by employing century-old construction techniques.
Both buildings come with the Madras terrace roof consisting of brick, lime mortar layers supported by wooden rafters and steel beams. Teak wood is used for doors, windows and steps.
"The design features 2.5ft thick walls for temperature control, ceilings at a minimum height of 15ft and 10ft tall doors and windows for natural light and ventilation. Lime mortar binds the bricks and stones, enhancing durability and weather resistance," a PWD official said.
The Governor's Bungalow was initially used by a landlord from Sulur as a rest house. Impressed by its architecture and location near Valankulam, Sir Arthur Lawley, then Governor of the Madras Presidency, stayed there during his visits to the region with the landlord's consent.
The building was finally occupied by the Forest department until shifting to new premises in 2011. The record room remained there until 2013, and the building was vacated completely in 2016.
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Since then, it has been unused.
"Over time, the building suffered severe damage. The Madras terrace roof lost strength, and wooden rafters decayed due to dampness. The ground floor roof partially collapsed. We are restoring the structure to its original form, strength and resilience," the official said.
Constructed using locally sourced red bricks and stones, with steel imported from London, the heritage building that houses the school had structural issues such as seepage and crack.
Its windows and doors were too not in proper use, the official said.
"We completely replaced the roof, and the windows and doors were replaced with teak wood. The restoration involved traditional techniques, including Mughal-style smooth lime plaster and heritage-patterned tile flooring," he said.
According to a school education department official, the heritage school building remains a symbol of Coimbatore's contribution to women's education.
Though the exact year of construction is unknown, it once housed the Coimbatore Collector's office administrative building and a court. The institution began as a female normal school in January 1885, was upgraded to a high school in 1894, and later underwent several transformations before becoming a govt higher secondary school in 1978.
The PWD official said the restoration of both buildings was expected to be completed within a month. "Now, the final finishing work is in progress."
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