As a prelude to its restoration, the dismantling of certain blocks of Writers', which is of 18th century vintage, has begun.

Warren Hastings, first governor-general of India, had granted Thomas Lyon, after whom Lyons Range was named, a 16-bigha plot in October 1776 to construct this iconic structure known as "Lalbari" for its red colour.

The first structure to go was the small "bookbinding building" in a narrow lane between Block III and the Secretariat Library. Small printed notices have sprung up on the walls of other buildings within the maze of this city within a city. Like the one above in Block E. The process started at the beginning of this month when the public works department (PWD) uploaded a notice on its website inviting "auction sell (sic) on as is and where is basis of Block A, B, E and Block I (Top floor), Block II (Top floor), Main block (top floor, except mansard portion) of Writers' Buildings, Calcutta 700001, including dismantle and disposal of all components of the same by the superintending engineer, PWD, Presidency Circle."

There has been no response from the public yet. …. [however] ... Consultations have been held with Ausheritage through Intach. According to the Ausheritage website, "Ausheritage is a network of Australian cultural heritage management organisations, established by the Australian Government in 1996. The network aims to facilitate the engagement of practitioners and organisations for the Australian heritage industry in the overseas arena. Its members work internationally on a grant funded, commercial or cooperative basis."

Roger Beeston, deputy chairman of Ausheritage, will hold a workshop in Calcutta next month and the detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared after that. Renowned architect Balkrishna Doshi has a word of advice. He told Metro over the phone on Wednesday that it is all right if they use new material for restoration so long as the original form and look are retained.

"They have to take one sample, work on it and then show it to an expert before starting on the entire structure. They have to compare it with the older structure. They cannot start working on the front at once. They have to chose a discrete section and if it works they can go ahead," said Doshi.

Writers' Buildings, particularly the facade, has undergone many transformations. Ashley Eden, lieutenant governor-general of Bengal from 1877 to 1882, was given the responsibility of shifting the principal offices, housed in two buildings on Sudder Street and Chowringhee, to Writers'. He realised there was not enough space here for all the offices. So initially, three blocks were constructed and two others added, thereafter, between 1879 and 1906. The new blocks could be approached by iron staircases that are still in use.