Heritage Restoration & Adaptive Reuse
Old Delhi
Pricing Guide
Pre-Design Documentation & Feasibility Study
Documentation & Survey
- As-Built Measured Drawings: Creation of blueprints from scratch including laser-measured plans, sections, and elevations.
- Distress Mapping: Graphical marking of structural cracks, dampness, and collapsed zones for safety analysis.
- Digital Archiving: High-resolution photo and video documentation of existing heritage elements.
Structural & Historical Analysis
- Preliminary Vetting: Visual inspection by heritage engineers to assess load-bearing capacity and propping needs.
- Context Study: Researching building lineage to determine correct architectural vocabulary.
Concept Strategy
- Adaptive Reuse Proposal: High-level presentation for potential usage (Hotel vs Museum) and zoning logic.
- Visualizations: Signature hand-sketched concepts illustrating spatial flow and design intent.
Architectural Restoration Consultancy
Structural Retrofitting Design
- Strengthening Details: Drawings for reinforcing foundations, adding columns, and treating brickwork with micro-concreting or FRP wraps.
- Roof Reconstruction: Design solutions for replacing collapsed wooden joist floors with sound replicas.
Heritage Facade & Element Design
- Material Specification: Selection of period-correct materials like Dholpur stone and Lime plaster recipes.
- Replication Detailing: 1:1 scale drawings for craftsmen to carve stone Jaalis, floral patterns, and cusped arches.
- Joinery: Design of contemporary clones for railings and balconies using wood and painted GI.
Modern Integration (MEP)
- Invisible Utility Routing: Strategic planning of HVAC ducts and electrical conduits concealed behind cornices.
- Drainage Systems: Revamping traditional drainage to handle modern capacities without damaging foundations.
Site Guidance
- Principal Visits: Scheduled visits by the Principal Architect to resolve complex site issues and approve material samples.
Heritage Interior Design & Styling
Adaptive Reuse Space Planning
- Themed Room Concepts: Individual design concepts for every room to address unique non-standard layouts.
- Courtyard Activation: Designing the central courtyard with water bodies, seating layouts, and performance areas.
Custom Furniture & Joinery
- Bespoke Furniture: Detailed drawings for loose furniture blending colonial and Mughal styles.
- Woodwork: Designing wooden ceilings, doors with stained glass inserts, and sourcing genuine antiques.
Finishes & Lighting
- Flooring Patterns: Design of intricate octagonal patterns and inlay work using marble and sandstone.
- Architectural Lighting: Specific lighting design to highlight restored arches, vaults, and stone carvings.
- Soft Furnishings: Curation of fabrics, drapes, and rugs reflecting the historical vibe with modern comfort.
About Heritage Restoration & Adaptive Reuse
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.
Meet your Expert
Kapil Krishan Aggarwal
446 connects in last 3 months
My Story
My first project? Not some fancy building, just a chair. And let me tell you, that chair taught me more than any textbook. Proportion, materials, how design hits you in the gut. From there, I went from making furniture to shaping entire farmhouses. We’re all about craft and curiosity here. Restoring places like Haveli Dharampura isn’t just work, it’s saving stories. I drag our young architects on heritage walks—history isn’t in books, it’s in the bricks. That’s our thing: spaces that feel alive.
My Work
What We Do - High-end residential like villas, adaptive reuse architecture, bespoke office interiors, boutique hospitality design, and Mughal-era haveli restoration.
Modern Meets Heritage - We mix bold, clean lines with old-school restoration, keeping the soul of the place alive.
Art in Every Corner - We work with local artists so architecture and art blend together—murals, sculptures, you name it.
Spaces That Tell Stories - Every detail, from skylights to brick walls, is there to make you feel something, not just fill space.
Who We Click With - Clients who want meaning, craft, and a space that’s got real character—layered, personal, connected.