List of Heritage Conservation Architects in India

The conservation and restoration of cultural heritage focus on the protection and care of tangible cultural heritage, including artworks, architecture, archaeology, and museum collections. Conservation activities include preventive conservation, examination, documentation, research, treatment, and education with regards to the heritage architecture of India. The following famous architects/ firms have previously undertaken restoration and conservation projects including some famous heritage structures all over India.

The list is arranged in alphabetical order and in no particular ranking.

1. ABM Architects

1. Location of the firm: Mumbai
2. Typology of heritage conservation work: conservation and heritage management.
3. Conservation projects:

• Public structures
• Institutional
• Religious
• Commercial
• Residential projects.

Alfaz Miller co-founded the Firm in 1972 and is the Principal Architect. The firm has evolved with changing times and has a young workforce, guided by experienced professionals in the core team.

ABM’s wide experience spans major institutional and corporate projects, private buildings, offices, airports, hotels, health, residential spaces, heritage, and conservation work. The firm enjoys a reputation for architecture and design solutions that are varied, comprehensive, and most importantly, client-focused. Every ABM creation aims to integrate a timeless aesthetic with functional design, an objective that has been at the core of the firm’s culture since its inception.

ABM’s design excellence has been acclaimed by the many awards and citations it has received. Client satisfaction has always been the firm’s principal objective – its success measured by the fact that 80% of ABMs projects originate from loyal clients. It has consciously chosen to remain a boutique design firm undertaking selected projects at a time. This helps the firm stay focused on the work at hand, paying attention to detail and be accessible to the client at all times.

A small glimpse of the heritage works by the firm are:

Kala Ghoda- MUMBAI:

The art district of Mumbai is popularly called Kala Ghoda, which means the “black horse”. The name goes back to the British colonial period, during which a Bronze statue of King Edward was placed at the site. The statue is currently stored in the Victoria Gardens Zoo, at the Dr.BhauDaji Lad Museum.

The Kala Ghoda Association (KGA), which is a not for profit organization, restores old buildings and structures in the area. KGA proposed to install a new sculpture in the same traffic island as its predecessor.

ABM volunteered to do the architectural design and project management for the installation and co-ordinate the sculpting of the Horse with the help of A young sculptor, Shrehari Bhosale.

The installation was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shree Devendra Phadnavis. It is a landmark piece of art in the area attracting many onlookers.

Year Completed: 2016/2017

TATA Global Beverages:

This building at Horniman Circle Garden, just at the corner of the Asiatic Library, was recently restored by ABM Architects. Keeping in mind the history of the edifice, each element on the facade is preserved from the arches to the balustrade to the iconic stone heads. ABM has also designed The TATA Global Beverages office interiors in the same building.

Location: Mumbai
Date of Completion: 2015
Design Team: Suryaprakash M

2. Abha Narain Lambah Associates

Location of the firm: Mumbai

Typology of heritage conservation work: architectural conservation, building restoration, re and retrofit, historic interiors, preparation of urban and regional level conservation management.

The architectural practice focuses on conservation projects ranging all over India from Buddhist sites of Ajanta and Bodhgaya 15^th century temples in Ladakh and Hampi, medieval mosques, palaces, forts and many more..

The firm has won 9 UNESCO Asia Pacific Awards for conservation projects including the Award of Excellence for the 15th Century Maitreya Buddha Temple at Basgo, Ladakh; Award of Distinction for Mumbai University’s Convocation Hall in 2007 and has been listed among the TOP 50 Architects & Designers by Architectural Digest for 2014,15,17, 2018; Top 10 Young Indian Architects 2012 – Construction World, Top 100 Architects of India – Architects & Interiors India 2015-16 and CNBC Architect of the Year Award 2016.

The principal architect Abha Narain Lambah has a Masters’s degree in architectural conservation from the School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi with over two decades of experience in the field.

A small glimpse of conservation and restoration works by the firm are:

Ajanta Caves – UNESCO World Heritage Site

Aurangabad, Maharashtra

AbhaNarainLambah Associates led a multidisciplinary team of architects, archaeologists, historians, conservation specialists, planners, landscape architects, geotechnical experts and specialists from the fields of risk management, tourism, interpretation, signage, and lighting design for a holistic conservation and management plan for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ajanta Caves. The caves dating from the 2nd Century BC to the 5th Century AD are the most iconic site exemplifying Buddhist rock-cut architecture and ancient Indian art.

• Client -Archaeological Survey of India
• Project Duration
• Masterplan in 2009-12

15th C. Chandramauleshwar Hampi, Karnataka

The project entailed the Conservation of a 15th century Shaivite temple on a river island in the heart of Hampi’s sacred geography. The preparation of a Conservation Plan was followed by archaeological excavations and structural consolidation of the monumental stone embankments that had collapsed over centuries of flooding of the Tungabhadra river. The project has been the first public-private partnership project in Hampi, with a State Monument being conserved through the public initiative.

UNESCO ASIA PACIFIC AWARD OF MERIT 2012

• Client – Global Heritage Fund &Hampi Foundation
• Project Duration
• Conservation Plan : 2003;
• Site Works: 2006-11

3. Abhikram

1. Location of the firm: Ahmedabad
2. Typology of heritage conservation work: conservation and heritage management.
3. Conservation projects:

• Public structures
• Institutional
• Religious
• Commercial
• Residential projects.

Abhikram is a consultancy firm that was established in 1979. Abhikram, which means‘initiation’ in Sanskrit. Their observations on the state of architectural practice then, led them to initiate and explore, design directions and processes, that make the built environment functionally, psychologically, environmentally and spiritually, more contextual and more comfortable.

In 2001, after 23 years in initiating directions, approaches and processes Abhikram made room for Panika. Panika meaning ‘dissemination’ in Sanskrit is also a consultancy firm that concentrates on the dissemination of Abhikramexperience and knowledge. Their 33 years of design practice is a pursuit for responsible architecture focusing on the conservation of resources and conservation of our built and cultural heritage.

A small glimpse of the conservation works by the firm are:

Panna Meena Kund:

Panna Meena Ka Kund, which is said to be a 17th-century structure, is one of the oldest water sources in the Amber town. Dual steps to reach the water are its distinctive features.

• The scope of work comprised of Conservation and revitalization of the Panna Meena Ka Kund and its surroundings along with the re-vitalization of the water sources at the bottom of the Kund.
• The work included restoration, conservation, replacement of some of its elements, and up-gradation including installation of electrical conduits, re-plastering of the walls in lime mortar and limewash on all the plastered surfaces with the traditional materials and processes.
• One of the four chhatris at the corners of the Kund was opened for investigations of damage and conserved elements, including roof & ceiling stones, arches, columns, stone flooring, and Dasa profiles were carried out.
• Opening and relaying of damaged flooring, providing & fixing new dasas and parapet panels on the pathway along the Kund was also carried out inappropriate manner.
• Over and above the conservation of the historic structure, minor modifications were carried out for the new and compatible re-use of the Kund and its surrounding areas for performances, gatherings and cultural functions.

Conservation of Chanwar Palkhiwalon Ki Haveli:

An initiative reinvigorating life into ruin and regenerating a sense of pride amongst the people of Amber about their history and heritage.

• The restoration and renovation of this ruined haveli were integral to the larger objective of conservation of the 800-years old historic town of Amber by J.P. Singh, the convenor of The Jaipur Chapter of INTACH.
• The primary objective, therefore, was to prove that the ruins of Amber are not as dilapidated, that conservation is not expensive or time-consuming as assumed and that traditional materials and technologies embedded in the craftsperson are still available to breed life into the ruins.
• Therefore the conservation process was taken up with initiation, participation and pro-active contribution of the craftsperson and local residents.
• The process used only traditional materials and none of the contemporary materials were used. No drawings were made and all design conservation decisions were taken with the inputs of the traditional craftspersons.

The three-year restoration process more than re-established the relevance of traditional materials and technologies in the contemporary context, particularly historic settlements.

4. Aishwarya Tipnis Architects

1. Location of the firm: NEW DELHI
2. Typology of heritage conservation work: conservation and heritage management.
3. Conservation projects:

• Public structures
• Institutional
• Religious
• Commercial
• Residential projects.

The expertise of the firm lies in urban conservation and regeneration, building restoration and architectural design. They engage with design in all its forms whether it is an intervention at an urban level to designing the pattern of a tile, each element of their projects are well researched, documented and implemented. Their work philosophy is hinged on multidisciplinary methodology, they engage with historians, geographers, interpretation planners, graphic designers, engineers and craftsmen at many levels. The practice has successfully completed a wide range of conservation plans, design interventions and feasibility studies for projects of a variety of scales such as Havelis, forts, temples and entire colonial settlements.

A small glimpse of the heritage conservation works done by the firm are:

French Colonial Town of Chandernagore, West Bengal:

• This project an initiative of ATA was conceptualized to bring focus on Chandernagore which had since independence slipped into dereliction while Pondicherry rose as the iconic image of the French in India.
• The project involved the preparation of a conservation area appraisal to firstly define what is important about its character and appearance and to identify its important characteristics and buildings of heritage value.
• It identified the area’s special features and changing needs through a process that includes researching its historical development, carrying out a detailed townscape analysis and preparing a character assessment.
• It analyzed the issues affecting the area as well as provided recommendations for its conservation and further sustainable development.

This project became the inspiration for the photo exhibition France Remains which was conducted as part

Restoration and Adaptive Reuse of Govindgarh Fort:

• Built over 150 years, predominantly by Maharaja Raghuraj Singh in 1853, the Govindgarh Fort is a unique example of fortified pleasure palace architecture in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. The site is symbolic of the relationship of the rulers of Rewah with the British, creating an amalgamation of British Colonial Architecture and Rajput aesthetics.
• The vision for Govindgarh Fort is to develop it as an all-inclusive super luxury destination that allows the visitor to enjoy their time in solitude in close interaction with nature.
• Providing the guests a high sense of privacy, peace, and serenity to allow them to completely unwind.
• The vision was to enable the guests to enjoy their private space and time for long periods of time, public and private spaces that integrate the landscape of the interior and exterior, state of the art facilities for the spa and pool, a specialty restaurant serving a specially curated menu, exploring the relationship with the lake by proposing an entry via the water as well as luxury tented accommodation within the mango orchards.

5. Alleya and Associates

1. Location of the firm: Kolkata
2. Typology of heritage conservation work: conservation and heritage management.
3. Conservation projects:

• Public structures
• Institutional
• Religious
• Commercial
• Residential projects.

Alleya and associates is a multidisciplinary firm which design projects range from a wide variety until the conservation management of old heritage buildings. Headed by two principal architects namely Nilina DebLal who is an expert conservation architect, with a Ph.D. in the University of Edinburg and a master’s in the conservation of heritage buildings from New York. The second principal architect, Ashish Sharan Lal who is also an expert conservation architect for Kolkata municipal corporation and the West Bengal heritage management.

A small glimpse of the heritage works by the firm are:

Restoration of a 120-year-old bungalow at Short Street, Kolkata:

The ongoing restoration of the heritage residence requires deep repairing of the walls, ceiling along with the floors till the re-plastering of the same. The structure consists of some traditional style of architecture like the exposed beams and the brickwork in different patterns, which is being retrofitted and restored.

Katherine Graham Memorial Chapel:

Ongoing conservation and rehabilitation of Katherine Graham Memorial Chapel, Dr. Graham’s Home, Kalimpong, that was severely damaged during and after the 2011 Sikkim earthquake. A West Bengal Heritage Commission (WBHC) project under the 13th Finance Commission.