Birth of Modern Architecture in Nepal
Before the 2000s BS, Nepal’s buildings mostly relied on stone, mud, bricks, and timber. But Saraswati Sadan changed everything. For the first time, cement, rods, and reinforcement were used in Nepal’s construction history.
The design of Saraswati Sadan was conceived by Ved Prasad Lohani, Nepal’s first civil engineer to introduce slope technology, filtration systems, and geometry-based structural design. His vision gave Nepal its first taste of concrete innovation.
Architectural Features of Saraswati Sadan
Saraswati Sadan’s design stood out as unique and futuristic during the Rana era:
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Exterior Design: Painted in light yellow, with green doors and windows resembling the Rana period style.
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Interior: Painted in pale green with round, square, and straight-lined designs.
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Structural Beauty:
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Spiral staircases
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Circular domes allowing natural light
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Tall, airy rooms
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Concrete sitting seats
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Durability: Despite being more than 80 years old, the structure withstood the 2015 (2072 BS) earthquake without significant damage.
Gol Ghar: The Original Name
Interestingly, Saraswati Sadan was originally called “Gol Ghar” (Round House) due to its circular dome at the top. The building soon became an attraction, with curious crowds gathering to witness this revolutionary construction.
Historical accounts even mention that Judha Shumsher Rana himself visited the site on an elephant to witness the making of Nepal’s first concrete structure.
Imported Materials and Local Effort
During the 1940s, Nepal did not produce cement, rods, or reinforcement bars. Hence, materials were imported from India.
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River stones (Dakshin Dhunga) were collected from Halchowk and crushed manually by local women using small hammers to make aggregates.
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Laborers (porters) carried cement and rods from India on foot.
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Lohani trained local masons and craftsmen who had never seen cement before, teaching them how to mix and cast concrete.
This blend of imported technology and local hard work gave birth to Nepal’s first RCC building.
Saraswati Sadan’s Legacy
Over the decades, Saraswati Sadan has served multiple purposes:
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Office of the Education Department in early years
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Administrative and Library section of Trichandra College (from 2026 BS)
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Today, it houses the Department of Engineering & Geology, student admission wing, accounts section, and a library
Even today, it remains one of the strongest structures in the college, a living example of durability and innovative engineering.
Ved Prasad Lohani: The Man Behind the Vision
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Born: September 1915
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Education: Diploma in Civil Engineering, Lucknow, India (1940)
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Contributions:
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Introduced slope technology in Nepal
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Wrote geometry books
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Pioneered water filtration systems
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According to his son Vasant Lohani, Saraswati Sadan itself is his father’s living history:
“In Rana-era Nepal, when cement, rods, and reinforcement were unheard of, my father designed Saraswati Sadan. He personally guided its construction and trained others in concrete work. That is why Saraswati Sadan is more than just a building – it is history.”
Surviving the 2015 Earthquake
Unlike many modern concrete buildings that suffered heavy damage in the 2015 earthquake, Saraswati Sadan stood strong. Only minor plaster loosening was noticed, proving how quality engineering and design can stand the test of time.
Even today, geology classes and administrative functions continue in this remarkable structure.
Why Saraswati Sadan Matters in Nepali Architecture
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First RCC building in Nepal
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Symbol of modern engineering revolution
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Testament to the vision of Ved Prasad Lohani
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Example of durability, surviving more than 80 years and a massive earthquake
Saraswati Sadan is not just a college building—it is a heritage of engineering, innovation, and resilience in Nepal.
Conclusion
The story of Saraswati Sadan is the story of Nepal’s first step into modern architecture. From imported materials carried on shoulders, to local women crushing stones, to the vision of an engineer who dared to think ahead of his time, this building represents the foundation of Nepal’s architectural transformation.
Even today, it stands tall, reminding us that true innovation never gets old.
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