Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust
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{{Infobox organization , name = Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust , formation = 1990 , image = , caption = , founders = Eduard F. Sekler, Erich Theophile , type = Non-profit , headquarters = New York City, United States , website
kvptnepal.org
The Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) is a non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the architectural heritage of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. Established in 1990 by architectural historian Eduard F. Sekler and architect Erich Theophile, KVPT has restored and conserved dozens of historic monuments. It played a leading role in recovery efforts following the
April 2015 Nepal earthquake The April 2015 Nepal earthquake (also known as the Gorkha earthquake) killed 8,962 people and injured 21,952 across the countries of Nepal, India, China and Bangladesh. It occurred at on Saturday 25 April 2015, with a magnitude of Moment magni ...
. KVPT is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization in the United States and is headquartered in New York City."About Us"
Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
"Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust"
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Retrieved 6 June 2025.


History

KVPT was established in 1990 in response to threats to the Kathmandu Valley’s built heritage posed by urbanization, neglect, and natural disaster. Its founders, Eduard F. Sekler, a professor at
Harvard University Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...
, and Erich Theophile, an American architect working in Nepal since 1987, aimed to protect endangered monuments through active restoration and international collaboration."Sekler leaves mark on Nepal"
Harvard Gazette. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
The organization’s initial "Band-Aid Fund" campaign (1991–1996) stabilized over a dozen monuments in Patan. KVPT’s methodology emphasized the use of original materials, traditional craftsmanship, and historical accuracy. In 1999, the Kathmandu Darbar Initiative launched with support from the
World Monuments Fund World Monuments Fund (WMF) is a private, international, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic architecture and cultural heritage sites around the world through fieldwork, advocacy, grantmaking, education, and training ...
and local industry, targeting ten structures within the Kathmandu World Heritage Site."KVPT Projects"
Asianart.com. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
"Update from Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust on Patan Royal Palace Complex after Nepal Earthquake"
World Monuments Fund. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
In 2000, KVPT began conservation at Itum Baha, one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Kathmandu, which had been placed on the World Monuments Watch list. In 2014, the Trust also supported the opening of the Architecture Galleries at the Patan Museum. Following the 2015 earthquake, KVPT coordinated emergency response and reconstruction for numerous historic buildings, including the Krishna Mandir and Char Narayan Temple in Patan. Its continued work has received international recognition for seismic strengthening methods and commitment to cultural authenticity."KVPT Completing a Great Task"
Spotlight Nepal. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
"Char Narayan Temple Restored"
U.S. Embassy in Nepal. Retrieved 6 June 2025.


Mission and Objectives

KVPT’s mission is to preserve and restore historic structures in the Kathmandu Valley. Its core objectives include: * Restoring temples, monasteries, and palaces of historic significance * Promoting traditional Newar craftsmanship and building techniques * Collaborating with local and international institutions * Documenting threatened structures and training artisans


Projects


Patan Durbar Square

Since the early 1990s, KVPT has led conservation work at
Patan Durbar Square Patan Durbar Square ( Nepal Bhasa: /यल लायकु, Nepali: पाटन दरबार क्षेत्र) is situated at the centre of the city of Lalitpur in Nepal. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley ...
, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection under an treaty, international treaty administered by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, or scientific significance. The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural ...
. Over 30 monuments have been restored, including Krishna Mandir, Bhimsen Temple, and Sundari Chowk.


Post-2015 Earthquake Work

After the 2015 earthquake, KVPT conducted damage assessments and stabilization, then led long-term rebuilding at sites like the Hari Shankar and Char Narayan temples. The Char Narayan reconstruction used salvaged original elements and integrated seismic retrofitting.


Kathmandu Darbar Initiative

Between 2002 and 2005, KVPT, with support from the World Monuments Fund, implemented the Kathmandu Darbar Initiative, focusing on architectural preservation and the development of earthquake-resistant techniques.


Itum Baha and Other Monasteries

Itum Baha, a 650-year-old monastery, became the site of in-depth research, training, and restoration beginning in 2000. KVPT also documented dozens of endangered religious and civic sites across the Valley.


Methodology

KVPT employs a conservation philosophy grounded in minimal intervention and the reuse of original materials. Its work integrates traditional craftsmanship with modern seismic strengthening techniques, often referred to as “concealed retrofitting.” These methods are recognized by
ICOMOS The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS; ) is a professional association that works for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places around the world. Now headquartered in Charenton-le-Pont, France, ICOMOS was fou ...
and
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
for their integrity and cultural sensitivity.


Collaborations and Funding

KVPT collaborates with the Department of Archaeology (Nepal), UNESCO, the Getty Foundation, the World Monuments Fund, and Harvard University. It receives funding from private donors, international foundations, and governments, including The Prince’s Charities, the Getty Foundation, and the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.


Leadership

KVPT is directed by co-founder Erich Theophile and Nepal Program Director Rohit Ranjitkar. Both have led the Trust’s strategic and field-level operations since its inception.


Notable Contributors


Eduard F. Sekler

Eduard F. Sekler (1920–2017) was a professor of architectural history at Harvard and a UNESCO consultant in South Asia. He remained KVPT’s senior adviser until his death.


Niels Gutschow

Niels Gutschow is a German historian and KVPT collaborator known for his scholarship on Nepalese religious and civic architecture, including ''The Nepalese Caitya'' and ''Architecture of the Newars''.


Educational Initiatives

KVPT established the KVPT Archive at Harvard University’s Frances Loeb Library. The archive houses documentation, drawings, and photographs from three decades of KVPT’s work."Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust: A Nepal Architecture Archive at Harvard University"
Art Libraries Journal. Retrieved 6 June 2025.


Recognition

KVPT has received multiple UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation for its restoration projects. Its work has also been cited by the World Monuments Fund, ICOMOS, and national cultural agencies.


See also

*
Kathmandu Valley The Kathmandu Valley (), also known as the Nepal Valley or Nepa Valley (, Newar language, Nepal Bhasa: 𑐣𑐾𑐥𑐵𑑅 𑐐𑐵𑑅, नेपाः गाः), National Capital Area, is a bowl-shaped valley located in the Himalayas, Hima ...
*
Patan Durbar Square Patan Durbar Square ( Nepal Bhasa: /यल लायकु, Nepali: पाटन दरबार क्षेत्र) is situated at the centre of the city of Lalitpur in Nepal. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley ...
*
2015 Nepal earthquake The April 2015 Nepal earthquake (also known as the Gorkha earthquake) killed 8,962 people and injured 21,952 across the countries of Nepal, India, China and Bangladesh. It occurred at on Saturday 25 April 2015, with a magnitude of Moment magni ...
*
Newar architecture Newar architecture or Newa architecture is an indigenous style of architecture used by the Newari people in the Kathmandu valley in Nepal. Newar architecture consists of the pagoda, stupa, Sikhara, shikhara, chaitya and other styles. It is also kn ...


References


External links


Official website
* Organisations based in Kathmandu Architectural conservation Environmental organisations based in Nepal Architecture in Nepal 1991 establishments in Nepal