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Haveli Dharampura: A UNESCO Award-Winning Revival

byKapil Krishan AggarwalTakes projects across Delhi NCR; Visit studio in South Extension II, New DelhiStarts from₹300 ₹ Per Sq. Ft. of Carpet AreaView full gallery

A six-year journey reviving a 200-year-old Mughal-era ruin in Old Delhi. See how we balanced heritage conservation with contemporary hospitality needs.

The restored courtyard of Haveli Dharampura, featured by NDTV Travel. This 19th-century Mughal-era gem was brought back to life, earning UNESCO recognition for its blend of old-world charm and modern luxury.

The third-floor terrace offers a stunning view over Chandni Chowk, with landmarks like the Red Fort and Jama Masjid in the distance. This space connects guests to the vibrant life of Old Delhi.

A tour of the haveli's accommodations, including Shahjahan Suites and Jharoka Rooms. Each room opens to the courtyard, ensuring natural light and visual connectivity while featuring custom-designed heritage furniture.

A Diwan-e-Khas room, where traditional decor and antique furniture create a unique atmosphere. The arched openings and windows connect the interior space to the historic bylanes of Chandni Chowk.

The restored courtyard features an octagonal flooring pattern and a central water fountain, inspired by traditional haveli design. This space allows for natural light and circulation throughout the entire structure.

The haveli is not just a building but a cultural venue. We designed the courtyard to be visible from all floors, making it a perfect stage for classical Kathak dance performances that evoke the Mughal era.

The multi-level corridors provide a unique vantage point for watching cultural performances. The inward-looking design ensures that the entire haveli becomes a part of the experience.

A panoramic view from the terrace, showing the dining areas set against the backdrop of Old Delhi's skyline. Guests can watch the traditional pigeon flying races or fly kites from this rooftop space.

The 'Barah Dhari' on the terrace, a dining structure with wooden-clad columns and a glass pergola. The design, including the zigzag floor pattern and water wall, creates an elegant dining environment.

The corridor railings are contemporary versions of the haveli's historical design, made of wood and painted GI balustrades. They create a beautiful play of light and shadow on the white stone floors.

About Haveli Dharampura: A UNESCO Award-Winning Revival

Restoring a 200-year-old structure is essentially an act of archaeology. Before we consider aesthetic finishes, we conduct rigorous structural mapping of every foundation and wall, using methods like epoxy grouting and carbon fiber wraps to ensure the building is sound. This preparatory phase is what allows us to integrate modern hospitality needs, such as HVAC and electrical conduits, without compromising the historical integrity of the architecture.

Winner of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award — Approved by the tribe
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Kapil Krishan Aggarwal

Takes projects across Delhi NCR; Visit studio in South Extension II, New DelhiStarts from ₹300 ₹ Per Sq. Ft. of Carpet Area

Restoration is a slow, methodical process that demands humility. I spend time mapping the history within the bricks before we even sketch a design. My practice is dedicated to the continuity of heritage, ensuring that the architecture of our past remains a living, functional part of our present.

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The haveli's exterior showcases a blend of heritage and modernity. Traditional elements like the jharokha balcony and arched colonnade are crafted from local sandstone, set against clean, lime-plastered walls for a timeless architectural statement.9
The haveli's swimming pool is a tranquil oasis. The design features a pergola supported by traditional stone arches, creating a play of light and shadow on the water that connects the leisure space with the building's historic character.
The living area is a study in textural richness and cultural narrative. A heavy wooden beam ceiling and traditional Indian artwork are balanced by contemporary furniture and geometric stone inlay flooring, creating a cohesive and inviting space.
Even the bathroom is a testament to heritage-inspired luxury. A custom-carved mirror, traditional lantern-style lighting, and a distressed wall finish complement the modern fixtures, creating a spa-like retreat with a story to tell.

Heritage Reimagined: Modern Banaras Haveli Interiors

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White Studio ArchitectsTakes projects across India; Visit studio in Ghitorni, New Delhi
A full view of the haveli's living area, showcasing the grand scale, traditional arched mirror above the fireplace, and built-in shelving for displaying artifacts, all unified by modern furnishings.5
This view highlights the double-height space, with traditional jharokha-style balconies overlooking the main seating area. The design uses a mix of bold colors like red and blue to energize the space.
A cozy corner of the haveli, where a modern blue armchair with traditional jaali-patterned sides sits next to a classic fireplace and built-in wooden bookshelf.
The symmetrical design of the main wall, with the fireplace at its center flanked by illuminated bookshelves and arched doorways, creates a sense of classical balance and order.

Heritage Revival and Modern Interior Design in Old Delhi

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BA ArchitectsTakes projects across Delhi NCR, Lucknow, Ayodhya & Ambedkar Nagar; Visit studio in Ghaziabad
The main hall of a 19th-century haveli after restoration, featuring a classic checkerboard marble floor, restored doors, and a magnificent heritage chandelier, ready for its new life.45
The same hall before our work began, with peeling paint and years of neglect hiding its incredible architectural potential.
The hall during the restoration process, with the floor partially laid and walls stripped back, revealing the original brickwork.
My team documenting and planning the floor restoration on-site, a critical step in ensuring the geometric accuracy of the marble inlay.

Heritage Haveli and Palace Restoration

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Aishwarya Tipnis ArchitectsTakes projects across India; Visit studio in Greater Kailash, New Delhi
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An intricately carved traditional Indian door, flanked by colorful statues. We draw immense inspiration from such historical craftsmanship, often incorporating vintage or custom-made pieces to add soul to modern interiors.
A weathered wooden balcony with detailed carvings, seen in Udaipur. The raw texture of the stone and the aged wood tell a story of time, influencing our use of honest and natural materials.
Another example of a traditional Rajasthani jharokha, or enclosed balcony, with intricate latticework. These architectural elements inspire our designs for creating private, shaded outdoor spaces.

Heritage-Inspired Design & Restoration Services

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Native SutraTakes projects across Delhi NCR; Visit design studio in Sector 60, Gurugram
In this Delhi home, we used a deep teal lime plaster to create a feature wall embossed with a 'Tree of Life' motif. This artistic element greets you at the entrance, setting a tone of gentle harmony that flows through the rest of the living spaces.7
An overhead view of a transformed 70-year-old home in Delhi. We replaced solid walls with glass and opened up the ceiling to create this double-height living area, using warm wood flooring and contemporary furniture to craft a modern, light-filled sanctuary.
By introducing vaulted ceilings and translucent glass partitions, we fundamentally changed the experience of this 70-year-old house. The design allows light to travel deep into the floor plan, creating an airy, interconnected space that feels both modern and respectful of the original structure.
The ceiling design in this renovated Delhi home features exposed wooden beams and arched vaults, punctuated by a modern spherical chandelier. This combination of rustic structure and contemporary lighting is central to our adaptive reuse philosophy.

Modernizing Old Delhi Homes with Soul

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Saka StudioTakes projects across India; Visit studio in DLF Phase 3, Gurugram
In the grid of Meerut’s cantonment, Lal Kothi stands with a kind of remembered grace. Built before independence, it carries the layered inheritance of a colonial past and indigenous detailing, a home that has stayed lived-in and loved.43
The home is enveloped by a lush garden, where seasonal flowers and mature trees create a living landscape that changes throughout the year. This connection to nature was a guiding principle in our restoration of the interiors.
A view of Lal Kothi through its vibrant garden. The home's historic red brick facade is beautifully framed by the seasonal blooms, showcasing the deep integration of landscape and architecture that defines this project.

Lal Kothi: A Heritage Home Restored

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SIAN ArchitectsTakes projects across India; Visit studio in Derawal Nagar, Delhi

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