Yangon Secretariat
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
rba architects is occasionally presented with the opportunity to work on projects internationally, broadening both our experience and perspective. In 2016, Roger Beeston was invited to join the Myanmar Heritage Preservation Limited (MHP) to work on the adaptive reuse of the largest and most significant British colonial era building in Myanmar, the Yangon Secretariat.
As with all RBA projects, vigorous and detailed evidence-based research forms the foundation of our work and includes all known aspects of the places history and identity to uncover its cultural significance.
In 1852, Yangon, an established international port, was decimated as a result of the second Anglo Burmese war. It was subsequently occupied by the British, and in 1853, a planned city grid was laid out. During this time, Yangon’s landscape was heavily waterlogged, necessitating extensive fill in the surveyed areas.
The secretariat was built on these foundations to the design of architect Henry Hoyne-Fox between 1889-1905. As a result, a part of the west section required piles to be driven into the ground to support the structure above during construction. In 1930, a major earthquake led to the collapse of the central dome and several turrets, however it is unclear if this was precipitated by the soft foundations.
The Secretariat is closely tied to the colonial rule of Myanmar and its struggle for independence. It has borne witness to and been a catalyst of many defining historic events. For example, the steady rise of anti-colonial sentiment at the beginning of the 20th century led to the death of Aung Kyaw during student led protests at the Secretariat in 1938. He was given the title ‘Bo’, meaning leader, and the street west of the Secretariat was named after him. Bo Aung Kyaw was considered the first martyr for the struggle of independence, and this event only emboldened the nationalist movement. Tensions escalated with the 1947 assassination of General Aung San, and concluding with the formal handover of power six months later.
Over time the Secretariat lost its administrative function, falling into disuse after the government’s departure to Naypyidaw in 2005, while Yangon’s harsh climate accelerated its degradation and dilapidation.
The Secretariat was ultimately acquired by an investor with a vision of its commercial adaptive reuse which prompted rba’s engagement to advise on its potential for reuse and, importantly, its accurate and authentic conservation. rba prepared a conservation plan, addressing rising damp, salt attack and organic growth, while completing load tests to assess it's structural integrity and collecting samples of the original fabric for analysis (paint, plaster, mortar, etc.).
While the research and our involvement in the execution of the project was deeply interesting, executing our sensitive vision for the Secretariat was ultimately not supported, and we moved on from the project after some months.
References:
Simpson & Brown, Alleya and Associates, Yangon Secretariat Myanmar, Conservation Management Plan, 2015, p4-6
Elizabeth Vines OAM, Yangon – Can the Fabric of this Colonial City be Saved Before it is Too Late?, Proceedings from Australia ICOMOS Conference, 5-8 Nov 2015, p1-3
Comments