To restore Sundar Burj’s lost architectural integrity, historic ornamentation and the garden setting lost due to inappropriate past repair works.

One of the most significant features of Sundar Burj is its highly ornamental star-shaped internal ceiling, which suffered heavy damages due to water seepage and later repairs using cement and whitewashing. The cement plaster layers from both the internal and external wall surfaces was carefully scrapped off and remaining portions of historic plasterwork carefully cleaned. Craftsmen were trained to restore missing portions of the decorative plasterwork on the ceiling and of the monument.

The cracks on the dome leading to water penetration causing loss of decorative plasterwork on the ceiling below were stitched with lime mortar. Dome repair works included removing cement plaster from the external surface and re-plastering with lime mortar and cleaning and restoring missing portions of the highly ornamental interior ceiling. Structural repairs included cleaning of cracks, and stitching and repairing them with lime mortar.

Cleaning of historic wall surfaces on external façade exposed the underneath layers of polychromy plaster and this was restored as per original designs. Following the removal of cement plaster, the façade and interiors were lime plastered and finished with a layer of lime punning (lime +marble dust) using matured lime putty mixing with traditional additives and marble. The Quranic inscription inside the monument on the lintel level was carefully repaired including restoration of the inscription in matching calligraphic style and approved by scholars. Ornamentation within the inscription was not restored in missing parts. Cement concrete flooring was replaced with red sandstones which was hand chiselled and fixed with lime mortar after the consolidation of the base layer. Wooden doors have been installed in the four openings.

The four arched openings over the doorways originally had sandstone lattice screens which were missing at the onset of conservation works. As part of the conservation efforts hand-crafted sandstone lattice screens, which are an integral part of the building, were restored. Not only do these screens restore the intended architectural character of the building they also prevent entry of birds into the structure thus preventing decay resulting from bird droppings.