--- title: "Heritage Restoration & Studio Design: A Story of Revival" description: "See how we transformed an 80-year-old abandoned building into a soulful design studio. Discover our approach to heritage restoration and adaptive reuse." canonical: https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/our-studio-a-story-of-revival last_updated: 2025-09-30 --- # Restoring History: Our Studio's Story of Revival Tribe Verified · 80-year-old heritage structure, fully restored. By [Richa Bahl](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio) · Takes projects across India; Visit Design Studio in Bandra West, Mumbai · ₹4,500 ₹ per sq. ft. (estimate) Part of [Heritage Restoration](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/gallery) This space is an 80-year-old building I brought back to life. It stands as a living example of my philosophy: preserving the soul of a structure while creating a space for modern, creative work. ## Photos and videos - ![The exterior of my studio tells a story of revival. The salmon-pink facade, traditional jaali work, and classic wooden windows were carefully restored to honor the building's original character. It stands as a quiet reminder that with patience and love, forgotten spaces can find their purpose again.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/31562c01-5ef7-42a3-93d9-d74ce5dbfa6d) - [Video: Watch the transformation of my studio, from a space shut for over 40 years to a haven where we create. This video captures the journey of remembering a building's soul, from exposing the original mitti walls and wooden beams to layering in light and life. This is what it means to build with heart.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/147716b6-0ddf-499b-bc1d-c4e12c5e25a2) - ![My personal workspace within the studio is where the old meets the new. The original exposed brick and stone walls provide a textured backdrop for a simple wooden desk and modern furnishings. The window, with its traditional wooden shutters, lets in the afternoon light, making it a quiet corner for creativity.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/23b4c58a-0f04-492c-a44f-ca4a5fa35416) - ![The studio kitchen is a blend of rustic charm and functional design. We exposed the original stone walls and paired them with custom concrete counters and handmade tiles. It’s a space that feels honest and lived-in, perfect for the daily rituals that fuel our team.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6be82c06-e115-41dc-b92c-e69ea159d034) - ![This is our main collaborative area, where we gather to share ideas. The original brick walls and wooden ceiling beams were left intact to preserve the building's character. The space is designed to feel open and inspiring, a true reflection of our design process.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/97227dca-b66d-4e23-9564-096bf3891772) - ![The lounge area in the studio is a cozy nook for quiet moments. We kept the original wooden beams and exposed brick, adding soft furnishings and warm lighting to create an inviting atmosphere. It’s a space that holds our ideas, our doubts, and our dreams.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/47778933-25ad-4eff-882e-0c4db644f893) - ![We used glass partitions to create separate zones without sacrificing the open, airy feel of the studio. This view into my office shows how modern elements can coexist with heritage architecture, maintaining a connection to the entire space while providing a quiet work area.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ea22a55e-2eba-4ba3-8c83-bae4a0c71bd7) - ![A view from the corridor into the courtyard garden. The interplay of light and shadow through the jaali screen creates a beautiful pattern on the heritage floor tiles. This passage connects the inside to the outside, reminding us of the importance of nature in our spaces.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7c49660a-af1f-4668-b245-1c7b064d298d) - ![Our small outdoor patio is a cherished spot for a morning cup of tea. The combination of patterned floor tiles, a simple built-in bench, and an old-fashioned window creates a nook that feels both private and connected to the studio's history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ae4885da-22e5-467c-9345-9c862ab3fbe1) - ![Looking down from the mezzanine, you can see the layers of the studio. The restored iron railing, the exposed brick, and the warm wooden floors all come together. This perspective shows how we created different levels and functions within the original structure.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/20a2b2ba-60c7-4d1d-ba6a-98cd1e8356ae) - ![A simple doorway can frame a beautiful story. Looking through these old wooden doors, you see a quiet corner with a single chair by the window. It’s a reminder that beauty often lies in the simplest, most unassuming moments.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b41c86ec-08d8-474c-9cb1-1f2594aad07f) - ![The way sunlight falls across the floor at 3 pm changes the entire mood of the studio. This patch of light on the old patterned tiles is a daily reminder of how a space is a living entity, constantly interacting with the world outside.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5d7f8a1c-1208-473e-ad97-24f9e2b87c9d) - ![Another glimpse of the afternoon sun casting its glow on the floor, highlighting the texture of the restored walls and the dark wood of the cabinet. These moments of natural beauty are what make a space feel alive.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b5017c2e-0dc8-4e50-8ebe-06457c1eeb43) - ![Even the simplest traditions bring a space to life. A marigold garland hangs over a restored wooden door, a small celebration of the everyday. It’s these human touches that turn a building into a home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/39e3926c-4c0e-4b30-8d16-0c07a63a4f9d) - ![A small arched niche in the wall, once perhaps a forgotten detail, now serves as a personal altar. We left the original brick exposed inside, creating a sacred space that honors the building's past and our own present.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/68f454f6-d0ba-4ad9-89bb-61899508c970) - ![A moment of peace in the studio, with a team member framed by the dark wood doorway. The space is designed to be a backdrop for the people within it, a place where we can all feel a sense of belonging.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fb43454e-bba3-4e56-a09e-ca82b1419ddc) - [Video: A quick tour of my personal office within the studio, showing how the space comes together. From the herringbone wood floors to the exposed brick and the view from the window, every element was chosen to create a calm and inspiring atmosphere for work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e6d4d9f7-9a96-4157-a038-4be50725b82c) ## About Our Studio: A Story of Revival When I first found this space, it had been silent for 40 years. Rather than clearing the rubble and starting fresh, I chose to listen to the building’s bones. We kept the original mitti walls, exposed wooden beams, and heritage tile work, integrating modern utilities only where they could serve the space without erasing its history. This isn't just a studio; it is a live experiment in adaptive reuse. Every project begins with a simple question: what is this building trying to say? When I undertook the restoration of this 80-year-old structure, it was riddled with termite damage and years of neglect. My approach wasn't about erasing those scars but honoring them. ### The Restoration Philosophy Adaptive reuse is the core of how I work. We replaced rotted wooden roof beams with seasoned timber, strengthened load-bearing walls, and restored the original mosaic floor tiles. By choosing to expose the brickwork and use traditional lime plaster, we maintained the thermal and aesthetic integrity of the original construction. ### Blending Old and New To make the space functional for a modern design studio, I introduced subtle, practical layers. Glass partitions create quiet zones for intense focus without breaking the sightlines or hiding the historic architecture. We integrated HVAC systems disguised within ceiling beams, ensuring comfort doesn't compete with character. The kitchen and lounge areas were designed using reclaimed wood and custom concrete, materials that feel honest and age gracefully. ### Why This Matters My goal is to show that modern living and heritage don't have to be at odds. Whether it's a home in the city or a forgotten building in a quiet lane, there is always a way to revive the spirit of a place. If you have a space that feels forgotten, I invite you to see it not as a project to be finished, but as a story waiting to be continued. ## About Richa Bahl I am Richa. I didn't study design in a classroom; I learned it by listening to the stories of old buildings. This studio is my most personal project, a place that teaches me every day that if you treat an old structure with patience, it gives back far more than it takes. [See all of Richa Bahl's services](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio) ## More from Heritage Restoration by Richa Bahl - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/featured) - [The Restoration Process](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/the-restoration-process) - [A Dhaka Residence: Weaving Heritage into Modernity](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/a-dhaka-residence-weaving-heritage-into-modernity) - [A Calcutta Home: For Family and Memories](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/a-calcutta-home-for-family-and-memories) - [Homes for Storytellers: Celebrity Residences](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/homes-for-storytellers-celebrity-residences) - [International Homes: Global Sensibilities, Local Soul](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/international-homes-global-sensibilities-local-soul) - [Commercial Spaces with Soul](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/commercial-spaces-with-soul) - [In The Press](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/in-the-press) - [In Conversation](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/in-conversation) ## More services by Richa Bahl - [Architectural Design & Renovation](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/architectural-design-renovation) - [Interior Design & Styling](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/interior-design-styling) ## Similar work from other experts - [Heritage Restoration and Adaptive Reuse Projects](https://mytribe.in/compartment_s4/adaptive-reuse-heritage-restoration/the-restoration-process-before-after) by Compartment S4 · Adaptive Reuse & Heritage Restoration · Studios in Ahmedabad & Bengaluru; Restoration projects across India - [Adaptive Reuse Architecture and Heritage Retrofitting](https://mytribe.in/studio.ata.delhi/urban-design-placemaking/adaptive-reuse-breathing-new-life-into-old-buildings) by Aishwarya Tipnis Architects · Urban Design & Placemaking · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Greater Kailash, New Delhi - [Reimagining Heritage Architecture](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/architectural-design/reimagining-heritage) by Thirdspace · Architectural Design · Studios in Pune & Belagavi; Projects across India - [Heritage Restoration and Adaptive Reuse Projects](https://mytribe.in/ara_anjalirawatarchitects/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse/the-art-of-restoration-behind-the-scenes) by Anjali Rawat · Heritage Restoration & Adaptive Reuse · Takes projects across India; Consultation at studio in Chembur West, Mumbai - [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 - [Adaptive Reuse and Heritage Conservation Architecture](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/interior-architecture-design/adaptive-reuse-conservation) by Mathew and Ghosh · Interior Architecture & Design · Visit Studio in Koramangala; Projects across Bengaluru & India ## Book To book Richa Bahl, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Richa%2C%20I%E2%80%99ve%20been%20looking%20at%20your%20studio%20restoration%20project%20and%20have%20a%20property%20I%E2%80%99d%20love%20to%20discuss%20with%20you.)