Republic Memorial in Narayanhiti Palace Museum, Kathmandu, Nepal

Tribhuvan University

Project idea

The design is the winning entry, out of 13 other entries for the national design competition held by Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, Nepal in 2009.

The purpose of the design is to memorialize the unsung heroes of the nation who put the nation ahead of their lives, and to provide a place for family members and friends to reflect on the loss of their loved ones.

The memorial will also serve as a prominent feature in the area. Its elevation and location will allow visibility from many locations around the park. The memorial will provide a lasting impression to all visitors, and will reinforce the strong sense of unity.

Water, sky and light are the three major components that make the architecture of the memorial and are used variously throughout the space. The components like water bodies, open to sky court have been used in the design.

An auditorium is placed in the center of the building in lower floor, following the symmetrical approach of the other built structures within the site vicinity. Since the building has a semi basement approach, there is a minimal visual disruption above the ground level. The auditorium is enhanced by large courts which also act as the fire safety approach. The auditorium also acts as a gallery space with photographs, important events and time, being carved on the walls.

The area contained with this memorial is a quiet place, meant for personal reflection and private reckoning. The actual area is wide and shallow, allowing for a sense of privacy, and the sunlight from the memorial’s southern exposure along with the grassy park surrounding and within its walls, contributes to the serenity of the area. Thus this memorial is for those who have suffered, and for us to remember them.

The memorial’s origin is located approximately at the center of the site with four metal stambhas connected together with an elliptical steel band and also at the centre which connects through circular steel beams. Each of the stambha is dedicated to those seen and unseen heroes who sacrificed their lives for the betterment of their countrymen.

Stambha 1 is dedicated to the ones who lost their lives lost, stambha 2 is dedicated to the ones who were disappeared , stambha 3 is dedicated to the ones who were abducted and stambha 4 is dedicated to the ones who were handicapped during the revolution. All these stambhas are connected to a steel circular band through a hollow steel pipe which is dedicated to all of them, and it reads “you will never be forgotten”.

The main concept is to light up the map of Nepal (granite) carved in the memorial floor, through reflection of rays installed in the circular pipe which strike the circular band and finally light up the map. This is to express that their sacrifices have not gone wasted but instead helped the country to move in a positive and bright direction.

Project description

April 2009, The design was chosen as the winner of the design competition.
The requirements were provided by the DUDBC which had asked the competitors to design something that well recognize the sacrifices made by the different group of people during the war-era period in Nepal to bring in the Republic in the nation.
June 2009, Asked to do the architectural designs and details of the project after a series of presentations in the ministries and national planning commission.
September 2009, Submitted a full package of design and drawings.
December 2013, asked to do the interior design works along with service designs (Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing).
As of today, the construction work is 90% complete.

Technical information

The project is spread over 1.75 hectare land with landscaped areas and built up spaces. Surface parking is located on two different levels for 50 2-wheelers and 100 4-wheelers. A canteen block has been designed for the visitors. An amphitheater has also been placed on the site for any kind of social activities. Open courtyards act as the socializing space and also the point of entry and exit. Both the ramps and the staircase have been provided as the circulation medium in the building. The memorial building consists of two basements; upper basement has the facilities like elliptical multipurpose hall (250 ppl), VIP room, press conference room and adequate number of toilets including two for differently-able people. The huge corridor and lobby will be used as exhibition gallery. The lower basement has an exhibition space of 27000 sq.ft area with spaces for audio visual rooms and stores. The ample natural lighting has been arranged through voids from the memorial terrace up to the lower basement. The ventilation has been provided via fresh air mechanical system.