About

Why I Restore Old Buildings

I see heritage buildings as the storytellers of our city. Restoring them isn't just about fixing old structures, it's about bringing their stories and souls back to life. Especially in places like Old Delhi, these havelis are more than bricks - they're memories and living culture. My approach is always about mixing old charm with new life, making these spaces useful and relevant again.

How I Work

Restoration is slow, detailed work - sometimes it takes years. Most of these buildings have no drawings left, so I start by mapping every crack and corner. It's a mix of detective work and engineering:

• Careful surveys and measured drawings before any work begins
• Strengthening weak spots using things like epoxy grouting, FRP wraps, and sometimes adding new columns
• Fixing collapsed floors or shaky foundations with patience

Finding the right artisans is half the job. I track down craftspeople from different parts of North India who still know the old ways, so everything feels real and not just 'for show'.

My Projects

I've spent years working on the havelis of Shahjahanabad. Each one is a mashup of Mughal, Rajasthani, Jain, and Hindu styles. The stuff I restore most:

• Courtyard layouts, jaalis (latticework), jharokhas (overhanging windows), lakhori bricks, chattris (dome pavilions)
• Adaptive reuse of havelis - turning ruins into hotels, museums, places people actually use

Some of my work: Haveli Dharampura (now a boutique hotel), Golden Haveli, and the ongoing Lahori Gate Haveli project.

Recognition

People noticed the effort. The Haveli Dharampura project even got the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage. That’s proof that with the right care, old buildings can live again.