Revitalisation of Birsingha

Birshingha Village in West Bengal is the birthplace of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a pioneer persona in the field of education and many others and one of the stalwarts of the Bengali Renaissance movement. This project was undertaken with a focus of both saving his memories in his birthplace, as well as preserving the associated structures he was instrumental in setting up to convert it into a pilgrimage, an educational-touristic destination that captures and disseminates a complete understanding of his contribution to society at large.

There are two important institutions in this village that the project addresses - the Birsingha Bhagavati Vidyalaya (established 1853) and the Vidyasagar Smriti Mandir. The Vidyalaya was the main focus, in particular the two mud buildings from his eras that have survived till the present day. The process started with a detailed measure drawing and condition analysis of the same. The intervention strategy followed a conservation approach that is rooted in traditional building technology and materials. Furthermore, to achieve an overall atmosphere of ambience and experience of the heritage site and provide a unique experience to the incoming cultural tourists and academicians the proposed new inserts are essential components, and they have been evolved out of the local traditional technology. The site landscape is conceptualized similar to a ‘Tapoban’ in a Gurukul. Along with this, a Day Rest Centre will be constructed by adopting the traditional materials and technology but with modern requirements and multi-use spaces.

Location: Birsingha, West Bengal
Client: West Bengal Heritage Commission
Year: 2019 - ongoing