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 atMission 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 artisansProjects
Patan Durbar Square
Since the early 1990s, KVPT has led conservation work atPost-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 byCollaborations 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"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
*References
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