Converting entrance hall into convocation hall, in Bharathidasan University, Tamilnadu

The greatness of any building is best measured by the extent to which it touches hearts, minds and spirits of the people who use it. Good work in architecture can move people, just as good work in music, art, writing or drama does. One such building in Bharathidasan university, Tamilnadu is the Administrative Building/Vice Chancellers Secretariat. It is a fine mix of traditional and modern construction aspects. It has a conglomeration of traditional planning concepts and modern construction concepts with traditional Dravidian Architecture imposed in the structure. The building was constructed during the years 1984 and 1985. The ground floor is 2m × 27m of size having 9 × 9 modulated spaces of 3m × 3m confirming to Parama Saayika Vaastu Mandala. The Brahma pada 9m × 9m at centre is said to be the lung of the building is not inhabitated but utilized as foyer. In ground floor, there was a driveway \ parking of 9m × 27m, lift, staircase and entrance hall. The first floor is having Vice Chancellors chamber, Syndicate, Vice Chancellors Secretariat and foyer. During the year 1996, parking area of 9m × 18m has been added to entrance hall and ground floor was converted into Convocation Hall except lift portion and remaining parking area of 9m × 9m. A separate portico of size 9m × 9m was newly constructed to house vehicles. During the year 2005, the lift portion along with 230mm × 230mm 4 nos R.C.C. Columns was demolished and the space occupied by the lift was stitched with R.C.C. slab. Now, the entire space of 27m × 27m in ground floor has been converted as Convocation Hall accommodating 800 persons without shadowing the traditional architecture imposed in the hall. This paper enumerates the various operations made in the structure, adopting Condition Survey Procedure, Repair Analysis and Rehabilitation Techniques without shielding the traditional façade.