In February 2023 we travelled to Kolkata to join our architect colleagues at Alleya and Associates on the first stages of the Roxburgh International Hub project – a condition survey to inform the restoration and re-use of redundant buildings of historical significance within Kolkata's historic AJC Bose Indian Botanical Gardens.  The aim of the project is to increase “access” to this amazing Garden with its abundant natural, historical, and cultural resources for visitors and stakeholders, and provide infrastructure and opportunities for innovative educational programmes, research, and discourses on the environment, climate change and sustainable lifestyle, combined with leisure and other activities that offer meaningful engagement with Nature. This phase of work has been supported by the Commonwealth Heritage Forum, with funding from the Hamish Ogston Foundation under the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Commonwealth Heritage Skills Training Programme.

The Acharya Jagadish Chandra (AJC) Bose Indian Botanic Garden, at Shibpur, Howrah, across the Hooghly River from the City of Kolkata, was founded in 1787.  The Scottish Botanist William Roxburgh was the first paid Superintendent of the Garden – once the finest in Asia – and he is widely known as the Founding Father of Indian Botany.  There are three heritage buildings on the river frontage at the southwest corner of the Garden: the William Roxburgh House, completed in 1795, the former Herbarium and Libraryof 1883 and the late 19th century former Seed House, now the Administration Building. The first two are in near-derelict condition and at risk and require urgent work to save them.

The Roxburgh Project has been set up with the agreement of the Botanical Survey of India and is being promoted and supported by several charitable trusts in the UK and India.  It aims to revitalise and secure the future of this amazing historic garden - 273 acres, 250 years and counting, starting with the historic buildings at its heart. The project is especially important because of the scarcity of open space in and around Kolkata, and the lack of quality leisure destinations.  It will create a visitor destination with museums, café, bookshop, education and conference facilities, and a new ferry connection with Kolkata, while providing opportunities for conservation skills training and climate change awareness.  It will provide more immediate community benefit by offering much-improved ferry access across the Hooghly River to the Botanic Garden for local residents and visitors and contribute to the development of the tourist economy of the city and of the region.