NCA

CENTRE FOR
CONSERVATION
& RESTORATION
STUDIES

  • HISTORY

    In the history of the Indo-Pak Sub- continent Lahore has always been considered an important city. For centuries Lahore has been the capital of Punjab Province. In the last four centries Lahore has emerged as one of the leading cities of the Indo-Pak sub-contient. Some fascinating buildings and gardens of Mughal Time still adorn the city of Lahore. After Mughal period some notable buildings were constructed during the Sikh period and the British period.

    Walled city Lahore is generally called the heart of Lahore. In the Walled City Buildings of various period mentioned above can still be seen. In the last four decades many changes have occurred in the Walled city Lahore. The rich people have moved out and settled in the new quarters of the city. Due to this migration of rich, the residents of the Walled City now generally belong to middle income group and lower income group. Commercial areas are also fast developing in the Walled City Lahore and this trend catching up.

    This glorious heritage is disappering at a very fast pace. It is important to save this heritage for posterity. An awareness campaign to save this heritage is the need of the hour.In 2003 National College of Arts, bought an old mansion inside Lahori Gate near Chowk Matti at Kucha Pir Sherazi. This old mansion was converted into the Centre for Conservation & Restoration Studies in the Walled City Lahore.


OBJECTIVIES












The primary objectives of this centre are

To create a link between the resident communities of the historic district i.e. The Walled City and the Professional practitioners, academicians involved with conservation and restoration work. The centre provides awareness regarding building and technical services to the communities that is interactive and accessible. To serve as documentation centre for Lahore Walled City Built Heritage.



COMPONENTS












  • ADVISORY CELL

    Advisory services to the resident population has taken the form of awareness building and provision of technical assistance. Awareness building requires the services of social mobilizers to reach out to the residents to enable the Centre to be used as an Open House by them. Meetings, Talks, Pamphlets and other promotional material is being used as a means for this purpose. Technical advice is avaiable in the centre for repair, maintenance, additions improvement etc. A building manual will be prepared as a guide for local people. Internees from NCA are being employed in both awareness building and technical assistance components.
  • DOCUMENTATION CELL

    The purpose of the Centre is to collect material relating to the built environment. While building plans and drawings from the bulk of the data, information relating to the socio-economic condition of the resident populations data on environment degradation and such other is also collected. Data regaring the crafts is of special interest to assist in the revival if the traditional building crafts. For undertaking this immense task researchers, surveyors, architects need to made available as well as equipment. Internees from NCA are also being involved in various aspects of the Docummentation Centre.
  • TRAINING CELL

    Training in crafts is one of the prome functions of the Training Cell. It is envisaged that practitioners, scholars, craftspeople are engaged in an interactive process to enable the revival and survival of the traditional crafts. While staff and student internees are engaged in the endeavor, other educational institutes both nationally and internationally are being invited to assist in this endeavor.


EVENTS












Bazm-e-Nau (Vol. 1)

The National College of Arts, Lahore, hosted Bazm-e-Nau (Vol. 1), a captivating Young Poets Mushaira that celebrated the fragrance of new verses and the passion of emerging voices. Held on October 30th, 2025, at the Centre for Conservation and Restoration Studies (CCRS), the gathering echoed with emotion, rhythm, and thought as young poets; Mashallah Saif, Saad Jabbar, Tahir Javed, Noor ul Hira, Syed Ali Qasim, Muhammad Owais, and Jordan Ali shared their words with heartfelt conviction.

Each poem carried the essence of youth, tender yet powerful, reflective yet rebellious, weaving together tradition and modern sensibility. The audience, immersed in the cadence of Urdu expression, responded with warmth and applause, turning the afternoon into an unforgettable mehfil of words and feeling. Organised by Ghazala Batool and Sadaf Zaman, Bazm-e-Nau reflected NCA’s motive to keeping the literary soul alive within its vibrant community.

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Art Contest: A Peaceful World

The National College of Arts, under its Community Outreach Programme, organised an Art Contest for children of the Walled City, Lahore on 22nd Sep, 2025, in commemoration of World Peace Day. Hosted at NCA’s Centre for Conservation and Restoration Studies, Lohari Gate, the contest brought together young artists to creatively express the theme “A Peaceful World.”

Art materials were provided on site, and the event witnessed enthusiastic participation from children who painted their vision of harmony and peace. Prizes and certificates were awarded at the closing ceremony, appreciating the creativity and spirit of the participants. This initiative reflects NCA’s efforts to engaging with communities and encouraging young voices to imagine a better, more peaceful future through the power of art.

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15 Day calligraphy workshop at the Centre for Conservation and Restoration Studies (CCRS)

The National College of Arts has recently started its 15 day calligraphy workshop at the Centre for Conservation and Restoration Studies (CCRS), Walled City, Lahore. This immersive experience has brought together passionate artists and calligraphy enthusiasts, who explored the rich tradition of Islamic calligraphy, learning its fundamental styles and techniques.

Initiated by Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Murtaza Jafri, as a community service programme, this workshop is being offered at a very nominal fee to engage people in the artistic realm, allowing them to learn and contribute to the world of art. Under the guidance of expert mentors, participants will refine their skills, creating intricate and breathtaking calligraphic pieces. The workshop will not only revive interest in this timeless art form but also provide a platform for preserving and promoting our cultural heritage.

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Mushaira program

Mushaira program was held at Centre for Conservation and Restoration Studies, National College of Arts on 25th October, 2019.

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STAFF
 MEMBERS












Asif Hussain

Administrative Assistant

Sadaf Zaman

Programme Organizer

Admissions
  • Admission Information
  • Fee Structure(Undergraduate Programmes)
  • Fee Structure (Graduate Programmes)


    • Lahore Campus Contact

  • Address: 4, Shahrah-E-Quaid-E-Azam,


    Lahore, Pakistan.

  • Phone: +92 42 99210544, 99210599, 99210601 (Ext. 108, Ext. 175)

  • Fax: +92 42 99210500

  • E-Mail: info@nca.edu.pk, placement.office@nca.edu.pk, disability.coordinator@nca.edu.pk



    • NCA TOLLINTON BLOCK

  • Address: Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Lahore-Pakistan



    • GILGIT CAMPUS

  • Address: River View Road, Haider pura, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

  • Phone: +925811554968


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