INTRODUCTION

The British Residency , also known as the Government Guest House or Residency

Bungalow, is a two-storeyed palace situated at Asramam in the city of Kollam in the Indian

state of Kerala. is a house of operation for the British army officers and the political leaders of

British origin during the rule of British East India Company and the British Government in

India. The massive complex built for the British resident 200 years ago, too exhibits a cultural

continuity in its architectural style combining Travancore tradition.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

Being an intern in a firm in Kollam, I was supposed to select a structure in our locality as a part

of our critical appraisal. The British residency is one among the buildings that has a notable

historical background and one of the building that has been conservated providing a use that

suites the architecture and context of the building. The building has been conservated without

spoiling the original texture. For this reason, I took this building to continue my study analysis.

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MARIAN COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
CRITICAL APPRAISAL-BRITISH RESIDENCY

HISTORICITY OF THE BUILDING

Fig: picture of the British residency as a view from across the lake.

British Residency - One of the historic buildings in Kollam. Till 1829, Quilon was the capital

of the Travancore State with the headquarters of the British Residency situated here. The

construction of residency began in 1811 and completed in 1819. Captain Arthur was in charge

of design and construction. Incidentally, Asramam is one of the prime locations in Kollam city

because of the presence of many important institutions here. Built by Colonel John Munro

between 1811–1919, the Residency Bungalow is a prominent landmark in this city. During

the British Raj, the building served as the British Residency. It was built during the Travancore

era by Gowri Parvati Bayi when Colonel John Munro was the British Resident.

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MARIAN COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
CRITICAL APPRAISAL-BRITISH RESIDENCY

Architectural style European-Indian-Tuscan

Town or city Asramam, Kollam city

Country India

Construction 1811
started

Completed 1819

Client Col. John Munro

Design and construction

Engineer Captain Arthur

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MARIAN COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
CRITICAL APPRAISAL-BRITISH RESIDENCY

Fig: old picture of the British residency.

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MARIAN COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
CRITICAL APPRAISAL-BRITISH RESIDENCY

LOCATION AND CONTEXT

British Residency Bungalow is a two-storied palace situated at Asramam in the city of Kollam

in the Indian state of Kerala. It lies close to the site of the old Kollam Airport situated at

Asramam in the city of Kollam and was built by Colonel John Munro between 1811-1819.

British Residency Bungalow is noted for the landmark the Chinnakada Clock Tower, which

attracts the tourists of all section. Chinnakada Clock Tower was built during the time of British

Empire in India and the clock was taken from Kolkata. The British during the colonial days had

many Government Guest Houses built in the princely states where the British Resident would

stay and entertain the vising dignitaries and acted as a link between the British administration

and the ruler. Asramam is one of the prime locations in Kollam city of Kerala, India. It is one

among the 55 wards of Kollam Municipal Corporation. Asramam is a notable place in the city

because of the presence of old airport, public/private institutions, tourism destinations, parks,

hospitals, maidan etc. Asramam Maidan, the biggest open space now existing in any of the

Kerala Municipal Corporation limits is situated at Asramam.

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MARIAN COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
CRITICAL APPRAISAL-BRITISH RESIDENCY

Fig: location of the British residency in map of Kollam.

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MARIAN COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
CRITICAL APPRAISAL-BRITISH RESIDENCY

SITE-BUILDING RELATION

The residency here, built by Col. Munro, is situated on a slightly rising ground overlooking the

back-water. It is a lovely spot, and the park like appearance of the grounds at the back of the

house add considerably to its beauty. The garden is spacious and well laid out, the walls skirting

the water, and towards the south is a small bay on one side of which is seen the house allotted

by the Sircar to the officer commanding the station and immediately opposite the house of John

Liddell Esp., both situated at the bank and surrounded with Casuarinas and other trees.

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MARIAN COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
CRITICAL APPRAISAL-BRITISH RESIDENCY

DESIGN CONCEPTS AND BUILDING

The British residency vale unique symmetry and harmonious blending of variegated artistic

features. A blend of European, Indian and Tuscan architecture, the central portion of the

building has a rounded front, with a large gable decoration. At the top of the building there is a

crown with a lion seated on it, with the motto Dieu et mon Droit (God and my right) inscribed

above. The 10 feet (3.0 m) entrance doors are made up of glass panes. The conference hall in

the palace has an antechamber with an adjustable partition-like door while a large fanlight

arching over divides the two rooms that can be accessed through a tall entrance door - 10 feet

(3.0 m) in height.

The building has rich wooden flooring on the upper storey. The walls of the conference hall

having cornices and dentils bordering the four sides with embossed designs of festoons, urns,

and floral forms. A motif of a large arch with an ornamental keystone, resting on pillars is

embossed over the main doorway. The Edward Rose garden is another main attraction of the

mansion. As for upper story, rich wooden flooring is quite attractive.

In some places, the walls are adorned with antique prints in polished wooden frames. Of

particular interest to us is the one that depicts the battle of Seringapatam, dating from 1802.

Prof. Pandala has described the Residency as "one of the most elegant buildings in India". The

Edward Rose garden enhances the old charm of this colonial mansion. This Residency building

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MARIAN COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
CRITICAL APPRAISAL-BRITISH RESIDENCY

is one of the most majestic colonial structures in India. Elegance in simplicity, affluence in

artistic work.

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MARIAN COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
CRITICAL APPRAISAL-BRITISH RESIDENCY

CONTENTS

 Introduction

 Criteria for Selection

 Historicity of Building

 Location and Context

 Site-Building Relation

 Design Concept and Building Characteristics

 Conclusion

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MARIAN COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING