The transformation of six heritage buildings throughout India

India’s wealthy historical past and numerous architectural heritage represents a tapestry of legacy, traditions, beliefs and cultural identities all of which permit studying that may foster deeper connections with the previous.

Additional, it offers a singular alternative for city cities going through house constraints. With restricted land for brand spanking new developments, restoring and reusing heritage constructions turns into a artistic and sustainable resolution. “Adaptive reuse permits us to reimagine these constructed types, mixing the previous with the brand new to create significant experiences that resonate with trendy wants. This method not solely contributes to a larger sense of identification but additionally enriches the city panorama with vibrant, repurposed areas that proceed to deliver the tales of our forgotten previous to the forefront,” says Rahul Mistri, Principal Designer, Open Atelier, Mumbai.

Moreover, restoration and adaptive reuse are important from the standpoint of sustainability as they cut back demolition waste, preserve sources, and mitigate environmental influence.

“Preserving heritage permits for a chance to expertise and admire the previous in a brand new context based mostly on societal wants. It helps us embrace, worth and celebrates the individuality of the previous to counterpoint the current and future” says Sarika Shetty, Accomplice, SJK Architects.

Listed below are some previous areas which have been reworked remarkably.

Vita Moderna’s workplace in Raghuvanshi Mills, Mumbai (96 years)

Restored by: Open Atelier, Mumbai (Principal Designer: Rahul Mistri, Design Staff: Rakesh Sharma, Parth Soni, Vinayak Bochageri, Nakul Saroj)

Conservation Marketing consultant: Staff ARC

Adaptive reuse was an crucial notion to the design of Vita Moderna’s workplace and experiential centre situated within the industrial property of Raghuvanshi Mills in Mumbai. The unique construction was saved intact and uncooked and the architects performed solely with the inside partitions to create an immersive retail expertise the place the essence of worldwide manufacturers comes alive.

A visible depth introduced out within the interiors of Vita Moderna.
| Picture Credit score:
Terrace

All components just like the partitions, ceilings and flooring had been fastidiously assessed, whereas contemplating structural, plumbing, electrical, and even design weaknesses. “Leakage and structural harm had been tackled with waterproofing and restore work. We carried out a number of revolutionary strategies and methods like de-plastering, gentle plastering, portray, and sanding of brick partitions. This adaptive reuse technique helped protect key architectural components of the mill like weathered columns and the tapestry of the brick partitions. We handled them to stop corrosion, thereby retaining their unique look and attraction,” says Mistri.

The interiors of Vita Moderna.
| Picture Credit score:
Terrace

He additionally provides that the restoration helped improve the deteriorating components, turning them into charming focal factors. For instance, the run-down ceiling is now restored and strategically uncovered and built-in with trendy companies for performance, enhancing the commercial character of the house. Metallic mesh was overlaid in opposition to patches of run-down partitions. All this bolstered the protection of the unique constructing whereas serving to keep the general unique narrative of the house.

The brick partitions present a uncooked and pure backdrop.
| Picture Credit score:
Terrace

The top end result was the profitable marriage of the previous mill’s industrial attraction with trendy European aesthetics, creating a flexible house amid Mumbai’s bustling city panorama.

Sister Nivedita’s Home, Kolkata (150 years)

Restored by: SJK Architects, Mumbai

The over 150-year-old constructing is located in North Kolkata’s Baghbazar neighbourhood.
| Picture Credit score:
SJK Architects

Adaptive reuse methods are extra than simply preservation and infrequently require retrofitting to make sure the constructing can accommodate trendy interventions. The main focus in Sister Nivedita’s Home was to generate potentialities to ease up vertical connections inside the home, thereby making it a seamlessly inclusive and cohesive public house.

A public staircase and carry had been put in to make the primary flooring and terrace accessible to all.
| Picture Credit score:
SJK Architects

“The 150-year-old home is a Grade I heritage constructing in North Kolkata’s Baghbazar neighbourhood and this mission concerned cautious spatial interventions. All interventions had been strategically positioned at a distance from the historic brick construction, preserving its integrity. A public staircase and carry had been put in to make the primary flooring and terrace accessible to all. The southwest nook room was scooped out as a double-height house to insert the staircase with a glass roof above, which now shelters the historic courtyard, making certain its usability year-round. The slow-speed pitless and machine room-less hydraulic carry ensures accessibility for people with mobility challenges” provides Sarika Shetty.

By adapting the home right into a museum, the house has been reimagined as the primary introductory gallery, narrating Sister Nivedita’s life and her contributions.
| Picture Credit score:
SJK Architects

Additional, the ‘thakurdalan’ is a deeply rooted and culturally important semi open house used for worship in each conventional Bengali residence. In Sister Nivedita’s home, this house prolonged seamlessly into the outer courtyard, fostering a way of group and interplay. By adapting the home right into a museum, this house has been reimagined as the primary introductory gallery, narrating Sister Nivedita’s life and her contributions in direction of ladies’s emancipation.

The Yellow Home transformed from an previous Portuguese villa, Goa (150 years)

Restored by: Morphogenesis, Mumbai (Principal Designer: Sonali Rastogi, Manit Rastogi, Design Staff: Nishtha Dewan, Dhamini Bansal, Stuti Jasoria)

The overarching design idea was to revive the villa’s unique Portuguese attraction, whereas incorporating components of up to date Goan tradition.
| Picture Credit score:
Avesh Gaur

Design interventions in adaptive reuse tasks have to be delicate, making certain they complement reasonably than overpower the prevailing construction as demonstrated in The Yellow Home mission. When this previous villa in Goa was transformed into a up to date resort vacation spot, an intensive examine of the constructing’s historical past and building methods was undertaken. There was a aware effort to go for regionally out there supplies to uphold the vernacular essence of the design.

Structural adjustments are minimal within the refurbishing of three spacious bedrooms inside the unique construction, creating ethereal and splendid suites.
| Picture Credit score:
IHCL

“A key planning technique centered on minimising excavation. Many timber had been conserved as a part of this method, with one tree being as previous because the proprietor’s home itself. The decrease stage accommodates the general public programmes, whereas the courtyard serves as an prolonged ready lounge with communal seating round a central tree. On the ground above, the three bedrooms inside the unique construction have been transformed into ethereal and splendid suites” say Sonali Rastogi and Manit Rastogi, Founding Companions, Morphogenesis.

The eating space ensures seamless transition from the indoors to the outside.
| Picture Credit score:
IHCL

Native supplies had been integrated into the design with the reception that includes hand-crafted terrazzo tiles with reimagined geometric motifs, complemented by rattan screens that convey a way of understated magnificence. Mirrored partitions introduce depth within the all-day eating house and the bar’s wall is adorned with inexperienced Udaipur stone, including a grounding factor to the house. The Yellow Home integrates Goan cultural motifs thus making certain that the villa stays a vibrant testomony to the area’s wealthy historical past. “The general public areas are imbued with vibrant colors echoing the romance of a Portuguese-inspired villa. The trussed roof over the bar was bolstered and accented with a inexperienced hue, whereas decorative mouldings, terracotta roof tiles, and arched home windows had been meticulously restored,” add Sonali and Manit.

The bar wall is adorned with beautiful inexperienced Udaipur stone.
| Picture Credit score:
IHCL

Regionally crafted customized lamps with a lustrous brass end forged a heat, golden glow whereas bespoke furnishings, additionally crafted by native artisans, infuses the house with a tropical attraction that feels each genuine and alluring.

Sawai Madhopur Lodge, Ranthambore (92 years)

Restored by: IDEAS, Jaipur (Gyanendra Singh Shekhwat)

The facade of Sawai Madhopur Lodge.
| Picture Credit score:
IDEAS

Sawai Madhopur Lodge in Ranthambore, constructed as a royal looking lodge in 1933 has now been reworked right into a serene retreat for travellers.

The inside view of the washroom.
| Picture Credit score:
IDEAS

A lot of the present constructions had been restored and therefore the mission minimised demolition waste and diminished the necessity for brand spanking new supplies.

The inside view of the constructing.
| Picture Credit score:
IDEAS

“We have now fastidiously retained components like wood rafters, stone-clad fireplaces, and colonial-era furnishings to protect the lodge’s classic attraction. Moreover, the interiors have been modernised to incorporate spacious suites with modern facilities. As soon as used for royal gatherings, the expansive verdant grounds have been repurposed into tranquil areas for outside eating and occasions,” says Gyanendra Singh Shekhawat, founder and principal architect, IDEAS.

Marble Arch, Jaipur (280 years)

Restored by: IDEAS, Jaipur (Gyanendra Singh Shekhwat)

The interiors of Marble Arch.
| Picture Credit score:
Particular association

Marble Arch was initially in-built 1745 as a backyard pavilion for the Military Chief of the Maharaja of Jaipur. “Nestled within the 18th-century Jai Mahal Palace, the mission has been reimagined as a up to date restaurant celebrating its architectural legacy. We have now fastidiously preserved the long-lasting Makrana marble arches and interlaced carvings on ceilings to take care of the restaurant’s historic character,” says Shekhawat.

The mission options textured palettes impressed by Jaipur’s hues and furnishings adorned with native craftsmanship to create a regal but inviting eating environment. Optimised layouts and meticulous detailing improve the visitor expertise whereas honouring Jaipur’s Rajputana and Indo-Saracenic structure kinds.

Sawai Man Mahal, Jaipur (85 years)

Restored by: IDEAS, Jaipur (Gyanendra Singh Shekhwat)

The suite
| Picture Credit score:
IDEAS

Sawai Man Mahal, adjoining the plush gardens of the Nineteenth-century Rambagh Palace, is a mission the place basic structure has been reinterpreted to satisfy modern hospitality wants. The luxurious resort preserves the palace’s unique Rajputana components, together with conventional lime plastering methods and native crafts equivalent to thikri mirror work. The mission additionally integrates jaalis, hand-carved motifs, and arches in native supplies like yellow Jaisalmer sandstone and Ambaji white marble together with trendy facilities.

A view of the personal pool.
| Picture Credit score:
IDEAS

“Our spatial planning and design interventions resulted in expansive and alluring areas that promote a way of openness and tranquillity, enhancing the general visitor expertise. The mission minimises the carbon footprint by retaining a lot of the unique construction and incorporating sustainable practices equivalent to rainwater harvesting, vertical gardens, sensible thermostats optimising heating and cooling programs, and photo voltaic scorching water programs” says Shekhawat.

The foyer that includes arches.
| Picture Credit score:
IDEAS

The Bengaluru-based freelance author is keen about all issues design, journey, meals, artwork and tradition.