16. RMA Architects
- Location of the firm: Mumbai
- Typology of heritage conservation work: conservation and heritage management.
- Conservation projects:
- Public structures
- Institutional
- Religious
- Commercial
- Residential projects.
RMA Architects is an architectural practice with studios in Mumbai and Boston. From a studio established in Mumbai by Rahul Mehrotra in 1990, the practice was re-formed as RMA Architects in 2010.
The practice is simultaneously engaged with a diverse range of clients, including governmental and non-governmental agencies, corporate and private clients, and institutions. RMA Architects has completed projects ranging from single-family residences to larger-scale buildings and urban design proposals. Project types include residential, office, institutional, art galleries, and retail, as well as conservation of historic structures.
A small glimpse of the heritage work done by the firm are:
EXTENSION TO THE PRINCE OF WALES MUSEUM:
Located within the historic Fort Precinct, the Prince of Wales Museum is one of the finest architectural landmarks of the city and a Grade I heritage building as per the Heritage Regulations of Greater Bombay, 1995. Designed by George Wittet, the architectural vocabulary of the structure built in grey basalt and Kurla stone is strongly representative of the Indo Saracenic genre. The main elevation is crowned by a dome that, in its profile and sculpture detailing, is reminiscent of and inspired by the sculptural forms of Bijapur’s Gol Gumbaz.
In 1997, the Director and Trustees of the museum took a decision to reconfigure the eastern extension wing in order to optimize the spatial usage of the building. It was felt that the extension needed to be better integrated with the rest of the gallery spaces and that more public usage of this space would assist in making this wing more popular with the visitors. It was also decided to incorporate an additional gallery space within this structure and make the internal circulation more flexible, in order to allow for greater movement between the new exhibition areas.
RESTORATION OF THE CHOWMAHALLA PALACE COMPLEX:
The restoration project was embarked upon in the year 2000 and was structured to be executed in three phases. The first phase involved a detailed mapping, fabric survey and the preparation of conservation reports for both the restoration of the buildings as well as potential re-use patterns that might help review the usefulness of these historic structures. The second phase involved stabilizing the buildings under threat of collapse and carrying out other emergency repairs such as waterproofing and propping to check further deterioration. The final phase involved the actual restoration of the complex and the introduction of amenities to facilitate reuse of these structures.
The restoration of these buildings was carried out using traditional craftsmen and techniques, and a range of elements in the buildings was conserved in order to maintain the integrity of these historic structures. Besides structural repairs and stabilization, the restoration of several architectural features such as granite arches, decorative work in lime plaster, and terracotta balusters were some of the tasks carried out for the restoration project. Actual restoration work on the project commenced in the year 2002 and the first phase which includes the Crafts Center and Khilwat was completed in December 2004.
17. Ravi Gundu Rao Associates
- Location of the firm: Mysore
- Typology of heritage conservation work: conservation and heritage management.
- Conservation projects:
- Public structures
- Institutional
- Religious
- Commercial
- Residential projects.
- Ravi Gundu Rao and Associates is an organization that dedicates itself for offering excellence as consultants in the area of Architecture, Architectural Design, Architectural Heritage Conservation, Environmental and Landscape Conservation, it specializes in designing in the historical context/spaces, Interior Designing, Training, and Research.
- Based in Mysore, a historical city since 2000, offering highly acclaimed services around the nation with over a hundred successfully completed meritorious projects for highly prestigious clientele in the Corporate, Public and private sector. We have won various awards over different projects and roles for the conservation and architectural work involved.
Church Of Mount Mary Goa:
- Featured in various movies, the Church of Our Lady of the Mount was constructed on the orders of Afonso de Albuquerque, a Portuguese general. Counted as one of the oldest chapels in Goa, the church is dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary.
- The otherwise isolated church comes to life during the Monte Music Festival held every year in November. The brightly whitewashed edifice compliments well with the natural surroundings.
- Beautiful views of the Chorao and Divar islands cast a spell on the voyagers.
- Sunset seems so magical from here.
Omkareshwar Temple – Narmada River, Maheshwar
Omkareshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to God Shiva. It is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri in the Narmada river; the shape of the island is said to be like the Hindu symbol.
18. SDM Architects
- Location of the firm: Mumbai
- Typology of heritage conservation work: conservation and heritage management.
- Conservation projects:
- Monumental
- Religious
- Commercial
A multidisciplinary firm in Mumbai with one of its services in the conservation of heritage structures, with an experience of 20 years in the field. The firm has an experience of conservation of heritage structures like Jaisalmer fort, Bijawar palace heritage hotel. (Madhya Pradesh), capitol cinema condition mapping (Mumbai), etc.
A small glimpse of the conservation works done by the firm are:
Jaisalmer Fort Conservation Project, Rajasthan
- SDM Architects has been assisting an international team of consultants in a project to monitor the stability of the hill below the Jaisalmer Fort, a UNESCO world heritage monument.
- The fort, which is on a hill about 30m above the surrounding plain, received piped water only in 1991. Since then, there have been several collapses of the bastion walls. The team was tasked with finding the reasons for these collapses.
| Aerial view of the fort source: http://www.sdmarchitects.com/
- The team found that a layer of mudstone in the hill was the main culprit. This is a soil that is very sensitive to water ingress and virtually dissolves in the presence of water. This has led to collapses in parts of the fort. Building new hotels within the fort and an imperfect sewage and rainwater drainage system within compound the problem.
- The team suggested and successfully implemented a method called inclinometer testing to find out whether there are sub-surface movements in the soil. This is done by drilling vertical boreholes into the hillslopes at critical locations, mainly the corners of the triangle-shaped fort. Flexible plastic tubing is installed in these boreholes.
Capitol Cinema Condition Mapping – Mumbai, Maharashtra
- The Capitol Cinema, strategically situated opposite the VT station in Mumbai, was originally named The Gaiety.
- It was built as a drama theatre in 1879 and converted into a cinema hall in 1927. This study was commissioned by the owners of the Capitol Cinema in order to ascertain the condition of the building as of August 2010.
- The team of architects from SDMA identified two areas that were in danger of structural failure, and luckily these were addressed before a major collapse.
| Detail view of the effigy on the facade of Capitol cinema source: http://www.sdmarchitects.com/
19. Savani Heritage Conservation Pvt Ltd
- Location of the firm: Mysore
- Typology of heritage conservation work: conservation and heritage management.
- Conservation projects:
- Public structures
- Institutional
- Religious
- Commercial
- Residential projects.
‘जीर्णोद्धारक’ – In Sanskrit means ‘Restoring the lost Glory’. History comes alive, when we walk into one of these Heritage structures – the sounds of warm trumpets, beating of drums, Sky-high ceilings, Pieces of art, Grandiose of life of Kings and Queens, Voices of masses, Famous speeches and heart-pounding sense of patriotism and glory. Every step into heritage takes us back in time and reminds us of the sense of architectural perfection, the magic of artistry, weaving culture into the colorful tapestry of life and a sense of connection and bonding to help us define – ‘Who they are’ and be proud of our rich cultural & architectural heritage.
A small glimpse of the work done by the firm on conservation of heritage buildings are:
The Gateway of India Precinct Conservation Project, divided into three phases also aims to ultimately get a world heritage precinct recognition for the area. In the first phase, which is currently ongoing, the hotel is initiating the Swatch Bharat initiative which includes manual cleaning of the entire area around the hotel till the Radio Club, including the roads and pavements in the area. Apart from this, the restoration of 46 heritage light poles, installation of heritage traffic bollards and basic static lighting of the Gateway of India monument are also part of the project. In the second phase, the committee plans to work towards elimination of visible pollution from the water, uniform shop frontages, ensure basic cleaning of the blue basalt stone on the seafront and promenade, besides adoption and restoration of the footpaths on P. Ramchandani Marg and undertaking uniform horticulture in the entire precinct. The final phase will eventually include the adoption of the Gateway of India monument, its restoration, annual cleaning, and lighting.
The Surat Castle :
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20. Saythu
- Location of the firm: Bangalore
- Typology of heritage conservation work: conservation and heritage management.
- Conservation projects:
- Public structures
- Institutional
- Religious
- Commercial
- Residential projects.
Saythu is a collaborative heritage practice led by professionals specialized in Heritage Conservation and Management. Their vision is to promote Heritage Conservation and Management in India as a holistic integrated inclusive process that is they believe different stakeholders from Authorities to Local People and different aspects like Documentation to Physical Conservation & Site Management are all inter-related parts of the conservation management process.
A small glimpse of the conservation projects done by the firm are:
Lala Lajpat Rai’s residence, Jagraon, India
- A representative example of an old Punjabi mohalla row house, significant due to its associational (with the Lala and freedom struggle) and group values.
- Works: DPR towards restoration, repair and adaptive re-use of the house as a museum.
- Works Period: Feb 2009 to 2012
- Client: Punjab Heritage Tourism Promotion Board, Government of Punjab (beyondBUILT collaboration)
Aurat Masjid, Gulbarga
- Located within the Fort complex, close to the ancient Jami Masjid, this small structure with three domed bays, was in a bad state due to structural movements in the pillars. This resulted in cracks in the arches and domes. The restoration involved the challenging task of replacing the deteriorated pillars in-situ, repairs to dome and re-plastering.
- Works: Restoration
- Works Period: Aug 2012 to Mar 2013
- Client: Archaeological Survey of India, Dharwad Circle (Note: by Pankaj Modi, Adhaar Centre for Conservation)
