Less Does More

Architecture begins with an 'idea' Ideas are what hold a project together, they become the guiding light for the product. But we must always beware of two many ideas, as that can never be a good thing for the design. It will cause more problems than it'll solve.

Shahjahani Mosque, built by the Mughal architect-emperor Shahjahan, completed in 1647. This mosque is still in use, therefore in its 373rd year of use. Commendable how a building has lasted so long in the hands of people such as ours. What I find most appealing about this mosque its unique, ahead-of-its-time aesthetic, which reads like lines, achieved simply by expressing the mortar in white against the contrast of deep red brick. Like most Heritage in Pakistan, this mosque too is falling to disrepair, and my dismay at what I saw in terms of new construction was sadly seconded by the following paragraphs by Ihsan Nadiem in his book, ‘Built Heritage of Pakistan’
‘’ The Shahjahani Mosque must have undergone at least three major repairs at different times of history. But it is the last operation in the 1970s that saw almost all of its decoration anewed and major structural renovations done en masse. The debris surrounding the monument was removed and after clearing the area on its eastern side, a compound wall and an arched entrance imitating the Mughal style, was added to the original plan. Although it presents a pleasing view, the garden is a naïve attempt at copying the cheharbagh style with fountains running in the middle of the water channels and the walkways lined with cypresses.
It is a pity that much of its original charm was lost to these pseudo-conservation measures, which were, undertaken by the Auqaaf Department of the Government of Sindh. The scientific conservation would never allow any addition or alteration resulting in the change in original features. The unnecessary replacement of old material with new one, though more pleasing, could not be allowed under any circumstances.’’

All this just points to uninformed decisions on the part of the department which did not bother to involve any heritage related professionals in the conservation process. Not to mention possible corruption where funds are concerned.