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Adaptive Reuse Architecture in Bengaluru

bySoumitro GhoshBased in Koramangala; Heritage projects across IndiaStarts from₹550 per sq. ft.View full gallery

We believe the most sustainable building is the one that is already standing. Transforming existing structures into new, functional spaces is a dialogue between the building’s history and the needs of today.

This video documents the transformation of a commercial building from the 1980s. We began with the existing concrete frame and reimagined it as a flexible, light-filled workspace suited for the information age, demonstrating my core belief that the most sustainable building is one that is already standing. This adaptive reuse project in Bengaluru is now a LEED-certified structure.

This is the 'Wonder on Wheels' project, a unique adaptive reuse initiative where we converted a bus into a mobile classroom for the Anganwadi program. It represents a creative and community-focused approach to design, taking learning and resources directly to where they are needed most.

A brief look into several of my key projects, as featured by Livingetc India. This reel showcases the variety in my practice, from the adaptive reuse of a colonial-era building into the retail space for Cinnamon, to the stark, sunlit interiors of a private residence, and the public-facing design of the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP).

The Umbrella House, designed by Kazuo Shinohara in 1961, was carefully dismantled in Tokyo and reconstructed on the Vitra Campus. This act of architectural preservation, moving an entire structure to save it, is a profound example of valuing and adapting our built heritage on a global scale.

About Adaptive Reuse: From Old Bones to New Life

Adaptive reuse is not merely cosmetic renovation. It involves structural re-engineering, where we strengthen existing columns and slabs to handle contemporary commercial loads while maintaining the original core. Whether we are retrofitting an 1980s office block in Bengaluru to meet LEED-compliant MEP standards or carefully integrating concealed utilities into a heritage retail space, our focus remains on preserving the 'bones' of the building while ensuring it functions for the modern information age.

Transforming 80s office blocks and heritage structures. — Approved by the tribe
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Soumitro Ghosh

Based in Koramangala; Heritage projects across IndiaStarts from ₹550 per sq. ft.

I am Soumitro Ghosh. At Mathew & Ghosh Architects, we view every space as a conversation between what was and what could be. My practice is about finding the soul of a structure and adapting it for the future, ensuring the history of the building remains alive in the architecture we create.

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By introducing a large skylight and removing partitions, we turned a cramped attic into an expansive, light-filled learning space. This project at Woodstock School shows how bold interventions can respect a building's history while adapting it for 21st-century needs.11
A closer look at the transformed attic space, where modern lighting and flexible furniture meet the original wooden ceiling structure. This adaptive reuse project focuses on creating comfortable and sustainable environments that bring nature and light indoors.
Another view of the repurposed 1920s attic, now a state-of-the-art workspace. The design prioritizes natural light and an open feel, making a once dingy and uninhabitable space both functional and inspiring for the staff.
This cozy nook within a transformed heritage building at Woodstock School serves as a quiet space for study and collaboration. We restored the original windows and used natural materials to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that connects students with their surroundings.

Adaptive Reuse Architecture and Heritage Retrofitting

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Aishwarya Tipnis ArchitectsTakes projects across India; Visit studio in Greater Kailash, New Delhi
**Monokuro, Ahmedabad:** Our adaptive reuse project, 'Monokuro', was featured in multiple design magazines. We repurposed an industrial building, preserving its shell while inserting a modern workspace centered around a green courtyard.11
**Monokuro, Ahmedabad:** We were thrilled that Monokuro was selected for an open house event by Ahmedabad Commons. This allowed the public to experience firsthand how we transform existing structures into sustainable and human-centric environments.

Adaptive Reuse & Heritage Conservation Architecture

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Compartment S4Studios in Ahmedabad & Bengaluru; Architectural projects across India
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The completed facade of ICP Brunton Central, an adaptive reuse project in Bengaluru. The new skin of perforated metal screens provides shade and a modern identity while allowing the original structure to remain, significantly reducing the environmental impact of the renovation.
An open-to-sky courtyard and pool area from our conservation of Stuber Hall in Fort Kochi, a 1740s Dutch East India Company residence. We added contemporary elements like this bold red wall while preserving the home's historic character, creating a dialogue between old and new.
A magazine feature on the Kara Hotel in Fort Kochi, a project where we conserved and adapted a 1740s Dutch residence. The images show how we created contemporary suites with modern amenities while retaining the original scale and details of the heritage building.

Adaptive Reuse and Heritage Conservation Architecture

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Mathew and GhoshVisit Studio in Koramangala; Projects across Bengaluru & India
The completed facade transformation for 'High-drate' restopub. The new design uses a dynamic mix of materials including brick, perforated metal screens, and integrated greenery to create a bold, contemporary identity.7
The original building facade, with its dated glass and stone cladding, before we began our transformation.
Another view of the building before our intervention, showcasing the plain and generic commercial architecture that we aimed to reinvent.

Architectural Transformations: From Old to Bold

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AD Studio 9Takes projects across Bengaluru; Visit Design Studio in RR Nagar
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The "After" view of the transformed Okhla shed. The original arched bays are now filled with glass, opening the building to the landscape and creating a stunning architectural rhythm.
The new entrance of the repurposed Okhla office. A modern facade with a colorful art installation contrasts with the surrounding trees, signaling the building's creative new identity.
An exterior shot of the finished adaptive reuse project, nestled among lush greenery. The design respects the natural context while giving the old structure a contemporary and functional purpose.

Adaptive Reuse: Transforming Industrial Structures

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Studio IAADTakes projects across India; Studio in DLF Phase 3, Gurugram
For the Earthen Spirit co-living project, I redesigned the terrace into an airy cafeteria and gym, featuring a Mangalore clay tile roof with glass inserts for dynamic light.28
The new double-height staircase in the Earthen Spirit building enhances the sense of space and creates a striking play of volumes within the retrofitted structure.
The redesigned terrace opens up to the outdoors, with large glass doors connecting the interior gym and cafeteria to the open-air seating area.
The Sunyata Hotel, where the architecture is designed to merge with the landscape. Here, brick jali walls and lush planters define the entrance.

Commercial Architecture & Adaptive Reuse in Bengaluru

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Design KacheriVisit Design Studio in Vasanth Nagar; Projects across Bengaluru & Karnataka

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