Calcutta, Dec. 13 :    Calcutta, Dec. 13:  Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stressed the need to conserve buildings which are not listed heritage structures, but are 'integral part of our historical legacy'. ASI director-general Kasturi Gupta Menon made this observation on Thursday while speaking at the inauguration of a four-day seminar on conservation of historic brick buildings in north Calcutta, being held at Max Mueller Bhavan. The seminar-cum-workshop, conceptualised by Action Research in Conservation of Heritage (ARCH) and the German Centre for Crafts and Preservation of Historic Monuments (ZHD), Fulda, is being hosted by Max Mueller Bhavan in association with ASI. Menon said ASI was committed to preserving 'India's rich built heritage' and was 'ready to fund any partnership project with NGOs' on specific conservation efforts in Calcutta. 'We will be glad to share our expertise with agencies, because it is very important to have well-trained conservators and site managers to appreciate the subject. Bohemian ideas like pulling down the Writers' Buildings and constructing a monstrous 10-storeyed structure there must be nipped in the bud,' she added. Manish Chakraborti, practising conservation architect and secretary, ARCH, felt the moment was just right to build up steam on conservation of old buildings. 'In the last five years, there has been a perceptible change in the attitude of the authorities towards restoration and repair of old monuments. The Town Hall project really kick-started the movement in Calcutta which has so many fabulous brick constructions in dire need of attention,' he observed. Chakraborti felt lack of knowledge on protection techniques and tools as well as a tendency to 'over-restore' has led to the extensive damages to brick buildings in north Calcutta. The workshop aims to sensitise architects and restoration experts about the importance of 'traditional and authentic' repair methods and materials. 'We hope to take strands from this seminar and work hand-in-hand with ASI to return the old monuments of Calcutta to their original glory, even though the Survey protects just one building in the city as of now, the Metcalfe Hall', he said. Experts at the workshop have identified two buildings in north Calcutta for hands-on work, from preliminary assessment to damage-mapping to actual repair procedures including specification of materials. These are a crumbling temple on Masjidbari Street and an old courtyard building on Nayan Chand Mitra Lane. Demonstration of repair methods, laying of bricks as well as mixing of lime and mortar to 'demystify' the process of restoration, will be held at Swami Vivekananda and Vidyasagar's residences. Manfred Gerner, founder of ZHD and leader of the German team of experts helping out on this project, stressed the need to maintain built cultural heritage, without which 'a useful economy is not possible'. He said preservation of historic monuments should be regarded as part of environment protection. City-based architect Santosh Ghosh agreed it was absolutely imperative to factor in eco-sustainability while doing restoration work and spoke about the need for 'adaptive re-use' of old buildings. 'Just like Venice has great character and attracts tourists without having too many architectural milestones, north Calcutta, too, has a strong character that can be enhanced by proper urban conservation,' he said.