Thai Hoa Palace being dismantled for restoration
According to the report on the process of dismantling Thai Hoa Palace, the construction unit – Hue Monuments Restoration Joint Stock Company – takes the responsibility of taking pictures of the current status, measuring, drawing and restamping decorative gold-gilded dragon image patterns on the palace columns, decorative patterns on the roof, as well as measuring and recording the technical parameters of the wooden frame system, roof structure, etc.
The construction unit also marks the position on each wooden components, the decorative character parts and the roof edges before conducting the dismantlement according to the approved design file. The marked components do not affect the status quo and are kept during the construction process.
As for the Buu Tan (the wooden canopy) and the throne platform, no intervention is required as they are still intact. Instead, they are surrounded by a steel frame system, covered with corrugated iron to preserve their position during the construction process. The construction unit only dismantled 3 sets of hammock doors in Buu Tan area to move into storage for preservation.
To protect the brick foundation, Hue Monuments Restoration Joint Stock Company has made a protective floor by adopting the following procedures: cleaning the brick foundation, applying a waterproof paint layer, spreading a layer of nylon and rubber, making a wooden frame system, and laying a steel plate above; while at the same time, covering the dragon pillars and the roof with foam nylon and the wooden frame and the dragon stairs with foam and protective outer wooden frame.
Up to now, the construction unit has dismantled the tiled roof, disassembled each decorative enamel compartment on the roof edges and the edging neck of the construction; removed the roof crubs on notches and edges, decorative character parts as well as gables from the construction, dismantled the system of planks, interlocks, and door sills. After the new cover is erected, the wooden roof structure, including trusses, beams, purlins, etc., will be dismantled.
Mr. Ho Huu Hanh, Director of Hue Monuments Restoration Joint Stock Company, said that Thai HoaPalace was an important monument, so the construction unit was very careful in the process of dismantling the work. All the works have been conducted conforming to the approved procedures.
After completing the dismantlement of the work, the construction unit will conduct a preliminary classification and assessment of the quality of the components, then submit it to the monument assessment council for consideration and propose solutions to restore the relic.
Regarding the components assessed as completely damaged, new restoration is required. Less damaged ones will be cleaned and patched with mortise, girder reinforcement, plinth, rafter tails and rafter ends. As for good components, they will be cleaned and reused.
Below are some pictures recorded by Thua Thien Hue Online at the restoration work of Thai Hoa Palace:
The dismantlement being carefully conducted to preserve the soul of the monument
The procedures to protect the brick foundation consisting of elaborate steps being applied in the restoration of the monument for the first time
All dismantled components with high aesthetic values being transported to the shelter to preserve in compliance with technical requirements to avoid damage due to weather
Good components will be cleaned and reused
Buu Tan being carefully wrapped and preserved
The throne platform still being intact requires no interference
The roof will be restored using royal lapis lazuli tile
The decorative character parts will be kept intact whereas only damaged ones will be restored
The enamel will be restored
Damage assessment will be applied to rotten pillars to come up with solutions to restore and replace
Assessing the damage level of each component can only be conducted based on their actual status after being dismantled
The wooden pillars being replaced with second-grade wood such as ironwood and pine wood
By Minh Hien