---
title: "Heritage Conservation and Adaptive Reuse Architects in Bengaluru"
description: "We specialize in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse in Bengaluru, blending history with modern functionality. Let us restore your historic space."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/urban-design-master-planning/reimagining-heritage-conservation-adaptive-reuse
last_updated: 2025-09-12
---

# Heritage Conservation and Adaptive Reuse

Tribe Verified · Award-winning heritage restoration across Bengaluru

By [Mathew and Ghosh](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh) · Visit Studio in Koramangala; Projects across Bengaluru & India · ₹220 per sq. ft. of built-up area (estimate)

Part of [Urban Design & Master Planning](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/urban-design-master-planning). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/urban-design-master-planning/gallery)

History is not a relic to be frozen, but a living structure to evolve. We weave contemporary life into historic fabric, ensuring the stories of the past continue to serve the present.

## Photos and videos

- ![This is a wing of the RBANMS School, dating back to 1873, which we helped conserve. We worked to preserve the original stone arches and structure while making it functional for today's students.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f72f3a82-3278-4c5b-8366-07722358a403)
- [Video: A walkthrough of the conserved RBANMS High School, showing the restored archways, doors, and windows that connect the historic classrooms to the sunlit courtyard, preserving the building's original character.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/eb8c3c46-c7a5-42d9-a1ea-36fc619c718d)
- ![This aerial render shows our complete vision for Russell Market, integrating a new multi-level structure with the conserved historic market hall and a new public plaza.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/05a1184b-4c3e-4093-a9c3-26d8b0bd88fb)
- ![A sectional drawing of our Russell Market proposal, illustrating how new functions like parking and retail are layered with the existing public market, creating a vertically integrated urban space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2a675446-c830-4ce8-8c0b-49e8822d48af)
- ![At the VOC 1740 Stuber Hall in Fort Kochi, we undertook a conservation project to adapt the historic structure into a heritage hotel, carefully integrating modern amenities while respecting the original architecture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4135f61f-f4b5-4351-8778-692572d4dbfa)
- ![Our competition entry for the Minto Hall heritage site in Bhopal involved this detailed model, exploring how a new convention center could wrap around and integrate with the historic hall.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a869959b-81d5-428d-8e78-f620c373e57c)
- ![A model of our proposal for the Minto Hall site, showing the relationship between the old circular structure and the new facilities, connected by a bridge-like element.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/30a7912a-0ac3-4416-9122-0d8294201b68)
- ![An article in Architectural Digest covering our restoration of the heritage school in Bengaluru, highlighting the arched colonnades and hand-chiseled stone slabs.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/12ab3f65-691a-4206-a1b2-d781668eaa3a)
- ![An interior render of the proposed Russell Market expansion, showing how modern escalators and a glass roof can bring new light and circulation into the historic space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a77976fc-60ae-45fe-b7c7-7cdfb1fbecf3)
- ![The new classroom extension at RBANMS primary school, designed as a lightweight steel structure that floats above the ground to preserve the open play area and trees below.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f407e285-f750-4723-872d-0d22bf0040c8)
- ![The new classroom pavilion is carefully sited next to the existing school building and playground, creating a dialogue between old and new structures.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/13a45e8c-47fd-40f7-9dcf-93489c95c00a)
- ![We designed the building to weave around the existing trees, with this view showing how a mature tree branch passes right through the open-air structure.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f7411093-60d7-40f9-9f88-ac5fcf8ab006)
- ![Looking up through the canopy of an old tree, with the new classroom structure in the background, a testament to building with nature, not over it.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/38744ce7-145e-4f8c-b778-f18c479157f0)
- ![A serpentine bench made of concrete provides seating and defines the edge of a pathway, its form carefully navigating around the trunk of a tree.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ee0b5341-9962-4907-bee1-17fcb87af0e8)
- ![A quiet moment in the school corridor, where simple concrete forms create informal seating and play spaces for the children.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/699415de-3a42-4c7d-af12-3eb672243a92)
- ![The school's narrow alleyways are enlivened with colorful murals and benches, transforming simple circulation paths into cheerful social spaces.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/71bd440a-6646-4fae-b058-2eb724395a80)
- ![A detail of the custom-designed concrete bench as it curves to accommodate an existing tree, a small but important gesture of our design philosophy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dd6dcf57-66ce-474b-ab5b-3ddbbaf57a5e)
- ![The everyday scene outside the RBANMS school gate, grounding our architectural intervention within its lively urban context.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7364c15f-52d7-4bba-bc99-ff617a6b09b1)
- ![The intricate branches of a banyan tree on the school campus, a natural structure that inspires our architectural work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7d4099a7-5030-40fc-a0d5-a4b0e34a0701)
- ![The space beneath the elevated classroom pavilion is left open, serving as a sheltered play and assembly area that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/84b622f4-944c-48f2-a149-1a9f71e6cccf)
- ![Another view of the open ground floor of the school extension, showing how the structure is lifted on columns to preserve the land and trees.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9317db06-e45f-4dd1-b935-04bfb959e5b2)
- ![A view looking up, where the trunk of a large tree passes alongside the new classroom, emphasizing the close relationship between the building and nature.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/93b8bf27-d750-47d0-8d0d-333835b6a080)
- ![An auto-rickshaw passes the school entrance, a typical slice of Bengaluru life that forms the backdrop for our architectural work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/96b4f3fb-7be8-4af6-abf2-ff7e4f2c42f5)
- ![A simple blue chair and a ball in the school courtyard, a poignant image of the life and play that our spaces are designed to hold.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d825b32a-46a4-43f9-a319-5f19d0bc69ee)
- ![The new classroom structure seen from the playground, its lightweight and transparent design contrasting with the solid walls of the older buildings.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b609065d-4ae0-4abb-a2ca-b08ae8434cfe)
- ![A long view of the school alley, where colorful murals and simple benches create a welcoming environment for students.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d4697ed2-544f-496b-87cb-83ea00a043bf)
- ![The elevated classroom pavilion provides a covered outdoor space, extending the usable area for the school and protecting the playground from the elements.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c6b64c2f-af28-4aaa-a84f-593ecd882ca4)

## About Reimagining Heritage: Conservation & Adaptive Reuse

When we approach a heritage site, we begin by mapping its history—identifying which layers to preserve and which to adapt. We do not just repair; we surgically insert modern infrastructure like electrical and plumbing lines to make old walls functional for today, without damaging their architectural soul or structural integrity.

Conservation is a slow, meditative dialogue between the past and the present. Our process begins with a forensic structural assessment to understand the health of the building. We treat every crack, stain, and uneven floor as part of a timeline, carefully deciding what to keep and what to augment. For instance, at the RBANMS High School in Bengaluru, we worked to preserve the original stone arches and colonnades while adapting the classrooms for modern educational standards. This required a delicate touch—using traditional methods like lime plaster and stone stitching, while introducing lightweight, contemporary additions that do not compete with the original architecture.

Adaptive reuse is about finding new roles for historic spaces without erasing their memory. Whether it is transforming a heritage structure into a hotel, as we did with VOC Stuber Hall in Fort Kochi, or proposing a multi-level integration for Bengaluru’s Russell Market, our goal is to create a seamless continuity. We often use contrasting new elements—like glass extensions or steel mezzanines—to make it clear where the old ends and the new begins. This approach ensures that the historic fabric remains legible, honoring the craftsmanship of the past while ensuring the building remains a relevant, breathing part of the city. We believe that when you give an old building a new purpose, you are not just saving bricks; you are keeping the city's collective memory alive.

## About Mathew and Ghosh

I am Soumitro, joined by my partner Nisha. We have watched Bengaluru change for three decades, and we believe architecture is a slow, meditative journey. We do not hide from the city's chaos; we find beauty in its old buildings, carefully working to hear the stories they have waiting to be told.

[See all of Mathew and Ghosh's services](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh)

## More from Urban Design & Master Planning by Mathew and Ghosh

- [Featured](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/urban-design-master-planning/featured)
- [Museum of Art & Photography (MAP): A Cultural Landmark for Bengaluru](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/urban-design-master-planning/museum-of-art-photography-map-a-cultural-landmark-for-bengaluru)
- [Spaces for People: Public Parks & Social Hubs](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/urban-design-master-planning/spaces-for-people-public-parks-social-hubs)
- [Design for Remembrance: Memorial Architecture](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/urban-design-master-planning/design-for-remembrance-memorial-architecture)
- [From Sketch to Structure: Our Design Process](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/urban-design-master-planning/from-sketch-to-structure-our-design-process)
- [Our Voice: Press, Publications & Awards](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/urban-design-master-planning/our-voice-press-publications-awards)
- [Additional Works & Explorations](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/urban-design-master-planning/additional-works-explorations)

## More services by Mathew and Ghosh

- [Heritage Conservation & Adaptive Reuse](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/heritage-conservation-adaptive-reuse)
- [Interior Architecture & Design](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/interior-architecture-design)
- [Architectural Design for New Construction](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/architectural-design-for-new-construction)

## Similar work from other experts

- [Reimagining Heritage Architecture](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/architectural-design/reimagining-heritage) by Thirdspace · Architectural Design · Studios in Pune & Belagavi; Projects across India
- [Adaptive Reuse and Heritage Conservation Design](https://mytribe.in/compartment_s4/community-public-space-design/adaptive-reuse-heritage-conservation) by Compartment S4 · Community & Public Space Design · Studios in Ahmedabad & Bengaluru; Public space projects across India
- [Home Renovations and Restorations in Bengaluru](https://mytribe.in/ocd.designbuild/residential-architecture-interior-design/renovations-restorations) by Office of Cognitive Design · Residential Architecture & Interior Design · Takes projects across Bengaluru; Visit Design Studio at Lavelle Road
- [Adaptive Reuse and Heritage Architecture Restoration](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/design-build-services/adaptive-reuse-the-archaeology-of-space) by Malik Architecture · Design & Build Services · Takes projects across India; Visit office at Ballard Estate, Mumbai
- [Breathing New Life Into Heritage Structures](https://mytribe.in/architecturedialogue/urban-design-master-planning/adaptive-reuse-heritage-conservation) by Architecture Dialogue · Urban Design & Master Planning · Studios in Bengaluru & Hyderabad; Master planning across India
- [Heritage Conservation and Adaptive Reuse Architecture](https://mytribe.in/studio.ata.delhi/heritage-conservation-and-adaptive-reuse/featured) by Aishwarya Tipnis Architects · Heritage Conservation & Adaptive Reuse · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Greater Kailash, New Delhi

## Book

To book Mathew and Ghosh, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20have%20a%20property%20that%20needs%20heritage%20conservation%20work%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20a%20potential%20project.)