--- title: "Haveli Dharampura Restoration: Mughal-Era Architecture in Old Delhi" description: "Explore the UNESCO-awarded restoration of Haveli Dharampura. See how we blend Mughal-era heritage architecture with modern hospitality in Old Delhi." canonical: https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse/haveli-dharampura-a-unesco-award-winning-revival last_updated: 2025-09-25 --- # Haveli Dharampura: A UNESCO Award-Winning Revival Tribe Verified · Winner of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award By [Kapil Krishan Aggarwal](https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka) · Takes projects across Delhi NCR; Visit studio in South Extension II, New Delhi · ₹300 ₹ Per Sq. Ft. of Carpet Area (estimate) Part of [Heritage Restoration & Adaptive Reuse](https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse/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. ## Photos and videos - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d316dcc5-7566-44f7-b907-e4677153b66a) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6b30458d-3f0e-4c89-a669-652201d90e8e) - [Video: 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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/27fc5ed0-9e07-46ca-91fa-adb58ca9102c) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/10a9a472-e396-4b59-b2d8-bce8bfc301db) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a1380c9b-11d8-4808-896d-4f9451698a19) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a4a9fe61-7636-499e-ba41-91138ec7e179) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9c33436b-e281-4850-af42-5607ab1edddf) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/97e6ade3-bded-4798-b77a-86176c5eacbc) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2bf3c585-dfe5-488e-a6cf-5f3881f780d4) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f88fa3e2-b538-4cff-87cb-06a935947a69) - ![Every detail, from the floor tiles to the staircase, was carefully selected to preserve the haveli's heritage character. The geometric patterns in the flooring add an artistic touch to the space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e9a0c199-94d3-4716-9b48-587cf30b3c16) - ![The visually integrated design of the haveli, where open spaces like the central courtyard and terraces connect every part of the building. This terrace is ideal for hosting music and dance events.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5b27304a-7f45-4254-b284-71bd1651f21a) - ![A view looking up through a smaller courtyard, showcasing the intricate design of the railings and the flow of natural light from the skylight. This detail is part of the building's passive ventilation and lighting strategy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9e002950-8f27-470c-b747-af40d2c26ecc) - ![An atmospheric shot of the Haveli Dharampura courtyard and terrace, capturing a flock of birds in flight. This image, featured by EconomicTimes.com, highlights the haveli as a hidden gem for travelers.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bb64d6ca-4760-4ac6-9d8e-0e3f3744bcae) - ![Another view of the restored Haveli Dharampura, showcasing its multi-tiered structure and ornate balconies. Its recognition as a top travel discovery underscores the success of this heritage conservation project.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/06896069-5db6-4040-9b19-1678c3e878c3) - ![We were honored when Curlytales.com named Haveli Dharampura "Delhi's most beautiful heritage hotel." This recognition is a testament to the seven years of dedicated craftsmanship that went into its revival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5f4436be-ccb3-4372-9dc7-4cd304058e11) - [Video: I led my team on a heritage walk through Chandni Chowk to Haveli Dharampura. These immersive journeys are crucial for our young architects to understand the nuances of conservation and adaptive reuse.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/719a0898-e0f3-4a13-be9e-9c2e0c7769ac) - ![The massive jharoka on the third level is a striking feature, incorporating both Rajasthani and Jain architectural styles. The railings feature intricate laser-cut stone motifs, showcasing our commitment to detailed craftsmanship.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/45e9564d-2ae5-4958-af59-d2ae766a5bba) ## 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. The Haveli Dharampura project stands as a case study in adaptive reuse. When we began, there were no existing drawings of the 19th-century structure. Our process started with a comprehensive feasibility study and digital archiving, treating the ruin as a repository of local history. We had to stabilize collapsed floors and foundations, ensuring the new usage as a boutique hotel could coexist with the delicate original masonry. We focused on restoring the inward-looking character typical of Mughal architecture. The central courtyard was reactivated not just as a visual element, but as the primary channel for natural light and passive ventilation. We worked with artisans from North India to replicate traditional jaalis and lakhori bricks, ensuring the material vocabulary remained authentic. Integrating modern MEP requirements into a historic haveli presents unique challenges. We concealed HVAC ducts and electrical conduits behind ornate cornices and redesigned drainage systems to handle modern capacities without damaging the historic fabric. The terrace, previously unused, was converted into a dining space, utilizing a glass pergola that respects the sightlines of the surrounding Old Delhi skyline. This project earned the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage, validating our belief that architecture can serve as a bridge between historical preservation and modern functionality. ## About Kapil Krishan Aggarwal 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. [See all of Kapil Krishan Aggarwal's services](https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka) ## More from Heritage Restoration & Adaptive Reuse by Kapil Krishan Aggarwal - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse/featured) - [The Art of Restoration: Before & After](https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse/the-art-of-restoration-before-after) - [Golden Haveli: Restoring a Historic Landmark](https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse/golden-haveli-restoring-a-historic-landmark) - [Lahori Gate Museum: The Future of Heritage](https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse/lahori-gate-museum-the-future-of-heritage) - [Awards & Media Recognition](https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse/awards-media-recognition) - [Architectural Philosophy & Process](https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse/architectural-philosophy-process) ## More services by Kapil Krishan Aggarwal - [Luxury Residential Architecture & Design](https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka/luxury-residential-architecture-design) - [Commercial & Hospitality Interior Design](https://mytribe.in/spacesarchitects.ka/commercial-hospitality-interior-design) ## Similar work from other experts - [Heritage Reimagined: Modern Banaras Haveli Interiors](https://mytribe.in/whitestudioarchitects/hospitality-leisure-design/heritage-reimagined-a-banaras-haveli) by White Studio Architects · Hospitality & Leisure Design · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Ghitorni, New Delhi - [Heritage Revival and Modern Interior Design in Old Delhi](https://mytribe.in/baarch_studio/interior-design/heritage-revival-fusion) by BA Architects · Interior Design · Takes projects across Delhi NCR, Lucknow, Ayodhya & Ambedkar Nagar; Visit studio in Ghaziabad - [Heritage Haveli and Palace Restoration](https://mytribe.in/studio.ata.delhi/heritage-conservation-and-adaptive-reuse/grand-residences-restoring-havelis-palaces) by Aishwarya Tipnis Architects · Heritage Conservation & Adaptive Reuse · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Greater Kailash, New Delhi - [Heritage-Inspired Design & Restoration Services](https://mytribe.in/nativesutra/architectural-design/heritage-inspired-design-restoration) by Native Sutra · Architectural Design · Takes projects across Delhi NCR; Visit design studio in Sector 60, Gurugram - [Modernizing Old Delhi Homes with Soul](https://mytribe.in/s.a.k.a.studio/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse/urban-revitalization-modernizing-delhi-homes) by Saka Studio · Heritage Restoration & Adaptive Reuse · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in DLF Phase 3, Gurugram - [Lal Kothi: A Heritage Home Restored](https://mytribe.in/sianarchitects/residential-architecture-design/the-blooming-garden-a-heritage-restoration) by SIAN Architects · Residential Architecture & Design · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Derawal Nagar, Delhi ## Book To book Kapil Krishan Aggarwal, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20work%20on%20the%20Haveli%20Dharampura%20restoration%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20a%20heritage%20project.)