Himalayan temple restorer scales new heights

To transform Jebum-gang Lha-khang into a modern art space, significant improvements were needed, including to its electrical, waterproofing and security systems.

"The infrastructure required almost complete reconstruction," Xia says.

Polyurethane waterproofing materials were first used to seal the gaps in the roof and keep the summer storms from doing further damage to the building.

The work took three weeks, and a three-layer waterproofing system was applied on both the interior and exterior of the roof to ensure that the murals inside would not be affected for the next decade, Xia explains.

Then, old elm-wood flooring was installed using a joist structure, under which the necessary pipeline and electrical systems were embedded, paving the way for sound, lighting and electrical equipment essential to future exhibitions.

The lighting system also underwent significant renovations. The incandescent lights were replaced with special lamps for museum-grade illumination, reducing the harmful rays that could damage the murals. The resulting lighting atmosphere allows viewers to experience the tranquility of this sacred building.

"In this way, a sense of holiness and mystery gradually emerges throughout the entire space," Xia says.