List of Heritage Conservation Architects in India

11. Kimaya Architects

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

• Monumental
• Religious
• Commercial

A multidisciplinary firm in Pune with one of its key services in the conservation of heritage structures, with a vast experience in the field. The firm has an experience of conservation of heritage structures like adaptive reuse of an iconic structure like shaniwarwada, vishrambagwada, Council Hall, Jer Villa, Jain House, Ganeshkhind, Savitribai Phule Memorial, Ruston Greaves hall and many more.. The firm has been deeply connected with INTACH and later widened its horizons by working for other government organizations for conservation and heritage management.

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

Revitalizing environs of Shanivarwada:

This eighteenth-century citadel that was the virtual capital of India was revitalized to interpret history in a more lively and vigorous manner. An erstwhile political dias of the city was given a more presentable form of an open-air theatre- a cultural platform of the city.

• Location: Pune
• Project year-2010
• Category – heritages

Samples of the columns restored in the building

Source: https://www.facebook.com/Kimaya-Architects-Urban-Designers-Conservationsists-299127513461385/

The timber-framed building rose to seven storeys between the inner and the outer courtyards.

Conservation Of Vishrambagwada

The conservation is set to be carried out in three phases, starting with the double-storeyed mansion where the Peshwa is said to have lived with a battery of 6,000 servants.

According to PMC’s heritage cell chief ShyamDhavale, the bricks mriginalwada, are especially being recreated. And so are some of the windows, wooden pillars, and motifs.

Red tiles on the sloping roof and the courtyard—a typical feature of Maratha architecture—will be retained.

12. KSHETRA

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

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

M/s. KSHETRA is a consultancy firm, competent in providing services in the Building Planning, Design and Conservation similarly Human Settlements Planning, Design and Conservation sectors; and taking up research initiatives through its sister concern – Institute for Human Settlements Research, Design and Management (IHSDRM).  Established in 1998, the office has been formed as a Space for Architecture where professionals from the allied and applied fields relentlessly engage in the creation and sustenance of appropriate place-making.

The firm is headed by GSV Suryanarayana Murthy, who has a master’s degree in Conservation from the School of Planning & Architecture, Delhi along with a host of other qualifications in Traditional Science of Architecture, Sustainable Development, and allied fields. He is also the Director of IHSRDM.s an office, M/s. Kshetra has expertise over matters, whether physical or conceptual, pertaining to the built and natural heritage.

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

Kanheri caves, Mumbai:

The word Kanheri is derived from the Sanskrit word Krishnagiri which means Black Mountain. These caves were created by chiseling a massive basalt rock. Kanheri caves date from 1st century BC to 10th Century BC. There are around 109 caves carved from the basalt rock. The hall of the caves contains the Stupa, which is a Buddhist Shrine.

• The notified Archaeological site area of kanheri caves is Approx. 5.76 Km
• Kanheri caves Areas protected under International Conventions, national or local legislation for their ecological, landscape, cultural or other related value.
• Cave Areas used for protecting, important or sensitive species of flora or fauna for breeding, nesting, foraging, resting, overwintering, migration, etc.
• And kanheri caves already subjected to pollution or environmental damage.
• Chaityagrahas, the place of worship of the Buddhist community
• Viharas or Monasteries, they consist of single and multiple celled where the Buddhist monks resided.
• Rock-cut benches and seats Proposed Site infrastructure, landscaping the Kanheri cave environs 1. Entrance Plaza 2.Parking Area indicating Parking Lots with proper Rows, Arrows, and Markings, etc. 3. Signboards (Warning sign, Traffic sign, Entrance/Exit sign, Map board, Directional sign, Identification sign, Parking sign) 4. Security arrangements such as Metal Detectors, CCTV, etc 5.Silent Generator Set 6.Drinking water Facility (Water supply arrangements to be explored, water pipeline, Tube well, etc. 7.Pathways (Making Ramp, Railings wherever required) 8.Plants/trees 9.Gardens/ Lawns 10. Sit Outs, Eating places (the structure having Covered roof with jali walls 11. Lighting (Task lighting, Accent lighting, General lighting, Street Lights, Floodlights) 12. drainage 13. Garbage bins (Food and garden waste, Mixed dry recycling and Non-recyclable waste) 14. Introducing new elements of Tourist interest like sound n light show, Musical fountains 15. Prayer area for meditation

Indian oil foundation, Delhi
Status of the Projects: Completed

Pathergatti Stone Arcade, Hyderabad:

• The Pathergatti stone arcade is credited with being one of the widest bazaars in India. And perhaps this fact gave the then designers enough reason to construct an intricately crafted structure such as one, with explorative eyes, can be seen in Pathergatti.
• Over the years the true beauty of the structure has been lying hidden under the commercial interests of the activity in the area.
• And this has gradually led to under-appreciation of the architectural and sculptural masterpiece which is, undoubtedly, without parallel be it the activity it generates and facilitates or the sense of belonging and time it provides. The intent of conservation was to unearth the hidden architectural worth and beauty of the Pathergatti stone arcade physically, with the aim of enhancing the activity of the bazaar.
• As a conclusion of the whole physical and historical documentation process, it can be said that conscious geometrical principles such as those of symmetry, repetition, hierarchy, rhythm and of course axis – were followed in the conceptualization of its original design. The first step of the urban design proposal was the conservation of the stone arcade (interior & facade) both physically and visually.

13. MOSAIC – Architecture and Restoration, Planning and Development

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.

Mosaic is an established name in architecture and restoration, with over 20 years of experience in the field. The firm specializes in conservation, restoration, retrofitting of heritage buildings, along with adaptive reuse of hotels, guest houses, school, etc. The architectural consultancy they offer in this field is not only core design but also planning issues, land use, drainage, plumbing, BOQs, etc. The firm has hands-on experience with one of the most iconic projects in conservation and restoration.

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

GOBINGARH FORT- AMRITSAR

Gobindgarh fort is one of the most important heritage structures in Amritsar.

The conservation and the refurbishing are taken up by the Punjab Heritage and tourism promotion board.

• The special visitor experience has been created by enhancing the historical and the notional linkages of the fort to the city’s culture.

There are many structures in the fort which have been proposed to put to different uses for visitors by creating an art gallery, lounge, auditorium, conference hall, etc.

DEOBAGH- GWALIOR

Jadhav kothi now known as deobagh Neemrana Hotels is spread over 20 acres located on Agra- Bombay Road, 15 minutes away from the main city.

• Its chief attraction is an elegantly proportioned baradari which is surrounded by water bodies on all four sides.
• It is situated in the center of the Char Baugwhich also has some exquisitely carved
• The open land of 3 acres has been converted to naubagh for the use of guests which comprises 12 garden rooms each with a verandah overlooking the Nau Bagh.
• There are four grand suites in the Deovillas – a heritage building dating back to the 1800s.

14. NSDA ( NeetaSubhrajit Das 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.

Neeta Shubhrajit Das Associates was established in 1987. The firm is a proprietorship firm with several associates. The firm has handled various conservation and design projects, both big and small. In all the projects the office strives towards perfection in terms of efficient planning, the economy in design, and simple uncluttered aesthetics.The designs from the office are based on a strong theoretical base. Both the architects of the office are highly qualified, widely published, and eminent teachers. To ensure a high quality of work the office accepts a select number of projects at one time. Every effort is made to keep the office up to date with progressive ideas; be they in the field of design philosophies, construction techniques, or new materials.

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

La Martiniere College:

• La Martiniere College, designed and constructed by Major General Claude Martin in 1796 is a landmark building.
• It is a brick and stucco building. Due to age, it had developed cracks in the roofs and walls rendering the building damp and plagued with vegetation.
• All the terraces and walls of the building were restored by grouting with compatible building materials.
• The whole building facade was cleaned and coated with a transparent paint to prevent further damage.

Russell Street Clubhouse:

• The 19th century Russell Street Clubhouse, situated in the heart of Kolkata, is surrounded by the large wooded estate. The property of the Turf Club, it was given to a developer, for the construction of new houses with the condition that the old Clubhouse is conserved and retained by the new housing as it’s reception or community center.
• The main problems of the building were lack of maintenance due to disuse, rising dampness, and tremendous growth of vegetation around the building. Once the vegetation was controlled, the building was impregnated with a water-resistant barrier.
• The building was then plastered and finished with whitewash.

15. Narendra Dengle Associates

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

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

NARENDRA DENGLE, Architects & Planners is an architectural firm founded in 1987 by Shri. Narendra Dengle, himself an architect, who has the experience of practicing both in India and abroad, since 1970. He has taught at the School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi and lectured at various colleges in India and abroad. Mr. Dengle started the branch office of SEMAC Pvt. Ltd. an Indian consultancy firm, in Muscat 1983 and was its Resident Director-Architect until 1987 before returning to India. He is in-charge of Architectural Design and co-ordination of all projects in the firm.

The firm handles all kinds of architectural projects as also conservation projects. While based in Pune the firm intends to provide excellent professional services for projects anywhere in India or abroad. The firm has in house services for architectural works and project co-ordination. Co-ordination of projects is done by us with the professional expertise offered by our consultant engineering firms, having rich experience in their own respective fields.

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

Fountain at Garden Estate for J. H. C. Jehangir, Pune:

• The site is located at the ‘Garden Estate’ in Shivaji Nagar, which is a Grade I heritage campus in Pune. The house is a colonial mansion of the British period built in the British style.
• It has all the Gothic elements and characteristics of a large mansion in stone and timber with towers, fountains, annex, banquette halls, and rich landscape. The client, who is sensitive to heritage and environmental issues, wanted to conserve the 130-year old fountain, whose existence was threatened due to the widening of the highway, and the commercial development, along the length of the site, facing the highway. They planned the process by first documenting the existing mansion and the fountain in detail.
• They had to devise ways of dismantling the socket and ball joints of the fountain shaft. This was done for two points while the third had to be sawn off since an embedded lead pipe went through it up to the rose of the fountain. They then numbered all the stones and dismantled the entire structure.
• A new base had to be created where the fountain would be moved. They chose the place on the same axis but now closer to the mansion.
• Trenches were dug up to rest the delicate marble pieces of the fountain shaft to avoid damage to the joints. The artifacts that adorned the fountain included stone crocodiles and marble lions. These were carefully dismantled and moved by crane.
• Elaborate measures were taken to dismantle and keep carefully all the artifacts before the same were re-assembled, exactly with the same references. The fountain now is performing its function for the first time since anyone remembers. All the roses sprout water, as do the four crocodiles resting on the parapets.

Model Colony Lake, Pune:

• The 6-acre lake that got created in the mid-twentieth century, as a result of quarrying of stone and gravel from this site is one of the most important of urban nature reserves in Pune and is of great ecological significance for cities of India. Migratory birds have made this lake their habitat for many years.
• Some developers in the city had been eyeing the location to exploit it for commercial and personal benefit by wanting to put up hotels, however, with the very agile and active neighborhood committee of Model Colony residents and several activists groups in the city, we mooted the concept of conserving the nature reserve. The original sketch by Narendra Dengle included creating a walkway encircling the lake with some islands in the water body for birds to perch.
• It was aimed at making a passive activity park that would be open to other citizens within restricted hours.
• The Pune Municipal Corporation accepted the idea. Ravindra Bhan, a renowned landscape architect from Delhi, was appointed, at our recommendation, to plan it in detail. Mr. Bhan agreed with the idea and made a carefully thought out plan that was then executed by the PMC’s garden department under Narendra Dengle’s supervision.
• Having acquired the balance area of the lake, the PMC asked us to design the nature reserve center in the area along the main road across from the lake neighborhood.
• Their design inspired by the flight of birds is a small simple structure in steel and exposed brick with metal roofing tucked into the foliage of the trees un-intrusive in the natural landscape. The activities that it would hold vary from holding nature observation classes for children to viewing the stars at night from the small mezzanine floor.

The project design-details have been handed over to the Municipal Corporation but the construction has yet to commence.