Abha Narain Lambah Associates is a leading architectural firm in India, winning various prestigious awards including 9 UNESCO Asia Pacific Awards. The firm specializes in Architectural Conservation, museum design, building restoration & retrofit, etc. The Principal Architect, ANL Associates believes in understanding the intent of the original architect, restoring the spirit of the building.
Here is the list of 15 Projects by Abha Narain Lambah Associates:
1. Le Corbusier’s Capitol Complex | Abha Narain Lambah
Chandigarh is the only site of modernism in India that is acknowledged internationally. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, the ambitious project to preserve the architectural integrity of Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh issued by the Chandigarh Administration commenced in Jan 2017. The project comprises primarily three buildings that accommodate the headquarters for Administration, Legislative, and Judiciary for the states of Punjab and Haryana.
2. The Quarter at the Royal Opera House
This Baroque structure could once be claimed only by the society’s privileged few; arriving in various horse-drawn carriages, treading on exquisite Minton tiles, seated on velvet couches, the British officials would once enjoy the glorious performances of the opera. The Royal Opera House, Mumbai, after around 100 years, now entertains patrons with a variety of talk shows, stand-up comedies, theatre, and art in addition to the live music, food, and drink. Four unique spaces, Drink, Café, Dine, and Live enhance the visual beauty of the Opera House site while complimenting its intangible cultural quotient.
3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya | Abha Narain Lambah
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, also known as the Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai, was designed by George Wittet in 1908. The restoration of this Grade 1 Indo Saracenic structure project won the UNESCO Asia Pacific Award Hon’ble Mention 2010. Abha Narain Lambah Associates, appointed by the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya was involved in the design of the Lobby, cafe, museum and gallery, director’s office, conference room and other administrative offices, landscaping works, signage and interpretation, and overall building conservation.
4. Bank of India
Architectural Consultants to the Bank of India, ANL Associates restored the founding building from where the Bank began its operations. The interiors originally designed by Frederick William Stevens were turned to create the flagship branch for the Bank of India in Mumbai.
5. Ajanta Caves – Unesco World Heritage Site | Abha Narain Lambah
The Ajanta Caves, declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, are the most iconic site exemplifying ancient Indian art and Buddhist rock-cut architecture. The approximately 30 rock-cut cave mountains, dating from the 2nd Century BC to the 5th Century AD, is carved into a 246ft (75m) wall of rock, comprising ancient monasteries and worship halls of various Buddhist traditions. ANL Associates, consultants to the Archaeological Survey of India, led a multi-disciplinary team for the holistic conservation and preparation of the management plan of the caves.
6. Bombay High Court
The Bombay High Court, one of the finest Victorian structures in India, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Victorian & Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai is under restoration. Issued by the Public Works Department of Mumbai, the ANL Associates undertook a phase-wise systematic structural restoration, exterior and interior restoration, up-gradation of services, interiors of the Judge’s Chambers and courtrooms.
7. Central Library, Town Hall
One of the oldest public buildings of Mumbai, this Grade I Heritage Building was built in 1833. It served as the city’s Town Hall, Court, as well as University Hall before now housing the Asiatic Library and the Central Library. Issued by the Public Works Departments, Government of Maharashtra, the building was to undergo restoration works. Initiated in the year 2009, the restoration of this Neoclassical building took over 3 years to complete.
8. Lal Bagh Palace | Abha Narain Lambah
This building, built in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, in the late 19th – early 20th century is the historic palace of the Holkar dynasty, one of the most powerful Maratha rulers of India. ANL Associates were brought on board as Architectural Consultancy for the preparation of the Museum master plan, Architectural and Interior design, among other tasks by the World Monuments Fund for Govt. of Madhya Pradesh 13th Finance Plan Funds.
9. Chowmahalla Palace Museum
Consultants to Rahul Mehrotra Associates appointed by Princess Esra & H.E. Prince Mukarram Jah; ANL Associates was involved in the conservation of this historic palace estate of the Nizams of Hyderabad. Ranging from condition assessment to conservation to restoration of the interiors, the project took 7 years. Winner of the UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit 2010, it resulted in the holistic restoration of the palace and its successful transformation into a vibrant cultural centre.
10. Sheesh Mahal Museum | Abha Narain Lambah
The Sheesh Mahal Palace Museum contains various royal collections of chandeliers, decorative arts, medals, and coins of the Maharajas of Patiala. Consultant to the Government of Punjab for the comprehensive conservation and museum up-gradation, the firm was involved in the museum and gallery design, structural conservation, architectural restoration, services up-gradation, restoration, and conservation of historic interiors and art.
11. Jai Vilas Palace
Supported by the Ministry of Culture, and appointed by the Mannu Raje Scindia Trust to renovate and conserve the Jai Vilas Palace in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, ANL Associates were involved in the Museum master planning, building conservation, structural repairs, gallery design and design of the visitor facilities. One of the most spectacular Neoclassical palaces in India, the sprawling palace complex boasts of one of the world’s largest crystal chandeliers and spectacular Baroque interiors. The project was completed in 2012.
12. Interiors of Vice-Chancellors Offices
The University of Mumbai requested for the complete restoration and interior design for the Vice Chancellor’s Office in the Grade 1 heritage Fort Campus designed by George Wittet. The removal of the false ceilings revealed its magnificent historic roof, complete with its Burma Teak rafters. These were carefully and painstakingly restored along with the Victorian furniture it housed. Blending the historic interiors with advanced services, the project also highlights various historic and contemporary furniture, creating a space within which one could imagine how people lived in the house at its time of glory.
13. Boutique Hotel, Tea Estate | Abha Narain Lambah
Entailing a comprehensive redesign of hotel interiors, the adaptive reuse of this colonial bungalow in Munnar, Kerala as a boutique hotel created a new concept for tea bungalows. Requested by the Woodbriar Group, the redesign paid homage to the Planter’s bungalow within the tea estate of the colonial period.
14. Casa San Antaino
This project in Anjuna, Goa, saw the restoration of a 100-year-old Portuguese Villa into a vacation home, which lasted around seven months. Creating five stunning suites within the dilapidated building, the project maintained a strong contemporary sensibility while respecting all the traditional areas.
15. Viceregal Lodge, Shimla | Abha Narain Lambah
Designed by Henry Irwin, completed in 1888, this historic Victorian building was the home to the British Viceroys in the Summer Capital of India. This lodge in Shimla witnessed some of the most momentous events in the history of modern India. Preparation of a conservation master plan for the building, establishing a holistic vision for the 80 acres of the Rashtrapati Niwas, one of the finest colonial historic estates in India; this project lasted for about 2 years. Addressing the building’s present use of housing the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, the project also converted the old Fire Station into an Arts Centre.