The Architecture of the Medical College on Chakpori, Lhasa

Fig. 17:
The Medical College on Chakpori, Lhasa

Enlarged detail of fig. 12
Photograph by Josef Vanis
1954

Two monks are seen on this photo: One standing at the railing in front of the main entrance and one standing on the canopy over the main entrance. They have been useful as “measure sticks” in evaluating the dimensions of the façade.

During the revision of the first set of drawings it was noticed that the main door is not situated in the middle of the east façade but is about 1.5 m of centre to the right in the photo. On the same level to the left is seen the reason for this – a vertical line and a darker shade of the wall, meaning that this section apparently was added later in the building process. The reason for this could be the discovery of a need for more space than anticipated in the outset for example for a better access to the mezzanine and roof.

From the book: Josef Vanis / Vladimir Sis / Josef Kolmas / Per Kvaerne, Recalling Tibet (Oslo: The Institute for Comparative Research in Human Culture, 1997, Prague: Práh Press, 1997), 96.