35TS.21 28PS

 

21. Neak Pean Temple: restoration of an access bridge and various operations:

Adopted at the June 2019 session of the ICC, the project to restore the insular character of this temple dating from the second half of the 12th century in the middle of the Northern Baray, now filled with water, is now nearing completion. It involved putting in a footbridge on stilts as close as possible to the water and constructed with concrete slabs molded on wooden formwork in order to imitate wood as much as possible, in order to guarantee the durability of the structure since this footbridge would often be covered by water according to the season.
In addition, other operations had been considered such as restoration of the northern pier and the southern chapel of the temple, also nearing completion, the construction of an observation platform for people with reduced mobility and putting in an access route and a visiting itinerary for the temple.
While appreciating this work, which puts this temple back into its original insular environment and character, the ad hoc group of experts recommends the following:
a) regarding the footbridge, it recommends putting in, from this footbridge from the road, a step so that the level of footbridge is not high above the water. The experts also recommend keeping the railings light by using wood only for poles and stainless-steel tubing or cables for horizontal rails.
In addition, and in the future if other similar walkway projects were to be considered, it is recommended to use several widths of planks, several different and non-repetitive molds, to resort to various shades and tints so that the illusion with the wood material is perfect. A molding of the edges of the boarding work would also be desirable;
b) for the pier, the work already completed does not call for any comment, but it is recommended to keep the side embankments at the pier as they are to maintain the natural character of the site;
c) for the platform project, it is proposed to move its location slightly back so that it is less visible from the temple and to fit it into the existing vegetation;
d) regarding restoration of the southern chapel, it is recommended to ensure better waterproofing of the upper parts of the chapel by a grouting and for the new stones used, and formerly with carvings, it is recommended not to leave them simply in the rough, but to restore the general shapes of the sculpturing without carving the motifs back on. A patina of the few new stones also appears necessary in view of the very natural character of the site.