--- title: "Adaptive Reuse & Heritage Landscapes | Thirdspace Architecture" description: "Reimagining heritage sites through sensitive adaptive reuse and landscape design. We restore old structures while integrating contemporary public spaces." canonical: https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/urban-design-master-planning/adaptive-reuse-heritage-landscapes last_updated: 2025-09-02 --- # Adaptive Reuse & Heritage Landscapes Tribe Verified · Award-winning heritage and adaptive reuse practice. By [Thirdspace](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace) · Based in Pune & Belagavi; Master planning across India · ₹55K per Acre (estimate) Part of [Urban Design & Master Planning](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/urban-design-master-planning). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/urban-design-master-planning/gallery) We reimagine derelict structures and historical sites, blending their original soul with contemporary needs. Our approach creates new, functional spaces that respect and celebrate the layers of history already present. ## Photos and videos - ![The award-winning KLE Centenary Museum at night. Our design extended the museum's program into the surrounding landscape, creating a public plaza with pavilions and water bodies that has become a landmark in the city.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/867f1584-1ee3-42ae-aca1-8b049c8b5af2) - ![For the KLE Centenary Museum, we restored a dilapidated colonial building and created a new plaza in front. The landscape design, featuring a lotus pond, connects the new pavilions with the original heritage structure.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fca2f817-d7f9-413d-85cc-0824746c1c6e) - ![The Rishi Pavilion at the KLE Museum serves as the primary entry path. The landscape becomes performative, guiding visitors along a curated journey past the busts of the institution's founders.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/475ee465-c7fb-43bc-9515-cbea69565226) - ![This render shows the reimagined glasshouse, part of our adaptive reuse plan for an 18th-century palace complex. The project turns underutilized spaces into a recreational destination with markets, nurseries, and restaurants.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/696c19c4-a9f8-44d0-83e6-c1b136478172) - ![An aerial view of the master plan for the palace complex. A new, curved structure embraces the existing heritage buildings and trees, creating a series of courtyards and public spaces that connect the old with the new.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2818273e-5f3b-4f43-b796-2097c52404f3) - ![A ground-level view within the reimagined palace grounds. The design carefully preserves existing trees, making them focal points within new public plazas and walkways.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4c005962-3692-4bee-a061-93b438409e91) - ![Our landscape strategy for a 12th-century stone temple uses redeployable and reusable elements. This approach respects the archaeological site by creating an impermanent, flexible environment around the permanent stone structures.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a3b1720d-a415-4a03-b0a1-04711b3c314e) - ![An aerial perspective of the temple environs project. The design consists of a multi-coded, flexible system of planters, seating, and panels that can be reconfigured to meet the needs of various stakeholders, from the community to the Archaeological Survey.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7eddcfc9-e2f7-4479-b67a-5d6ce28cf67f) - ![The landscape design provides modern amenities like seating and lighting while maintaining a respectful distance from the ancient temple. The ephemerality of the new intervention offers a deliberate contrast to the millennia-old stone.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1f48a713-1991-4a5a-b473-bd1ff2fd9e8e) - ![Another night view of the completed KLE Centenary Museum, showcasing the interplay of light, water, and architecture. The project has become an important public space for the city.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e9c22f09-f767-42f2-acd2-13a165ac43f0) - ![The initial site plan for the KLE Museum, showing the colonial building before our intervention. This diagram illustrates the starting point of our design process.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c7fab8e0-f1d5-40b7-8d31-a86168d57c70) - ![The landscape design for the museum guides visitors through a series of spaces. Here, a walkway passes between a lotus pond and a pavilion wall displaying historical photographs.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/32d7c685-7710-4c7e-b620-0b65c5e52535) - ![A close-up of a bust in the Rishi Pavilion. The material palette of stone, wood, and concrete creates a dignified setting to honor the institution's history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ade9e6ed-cb76-4234-a8f1-05879b15492a) - ![The final site plan for the KLE Centenary Museum, illustrating the complete layout with the restored building, new pavilions, courtyards, and water features.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bf830cd9-b25b-4630-970e-eb105a0627c1) - ![The design creates a scripted path through the museum grounds, with views framed by new architectural elements. Stepping stones, tree courts, and ponds are all part of this curated spatial experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bc617c22-edf7-41e0-9d4f-31b831d9bd40) - ![A tranquil corner of the museum landscape, where a statue sits beside a lotus pond. The design creates multiple areas for quiet reflection within the larger public space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6f8abb5d-6863-4737-ac3a-4a8447d58f31) - ![Detail of the founder busts in the Rishi Pavilion. The interplay of natural light filtering through the trees and the solid presence of the stone pedestals is a key part of the design.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fb0a9f26-6227-4884-b526-9f765be1cccb) - ![A close-up showing the material details of the museum's landscape. The contrast between the rough stone of the original building, the smooth new walkways, and the water creates a rich textural experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5fd2ab19-4774-4a1f-afa0-6ac8e7e75734) - ![The restored colonial building is framed by the new landscape elements, creating a dialogue between the past and the present.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8885566a-4e3d-4001-bd9f-e4f8232df6bc) - ![Existing trees were carefully preserved and integrated into the new design, acting as natural anchors within the open-air pavilions and courtyards.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2d257663-43da-4423-b3cd-3f4e81ffd471) - ![A pebble court provides a serene space for contemplation. The landscape design for the museum incorporates a variety of textures and materials to define different zones.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e3eec6bf-7528-4922-a587-4c2e846da680) - ![The modular design of the temple landscape allows for flexibility. Elements like gabion walls and precast concrete panels can be moved without disturbing the historic site.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6097ea94-8fd9-4fdd-84c1-7f035ba7275d) - ![The overall strategy for the 12th-century temple environs is one of impermanence. This contrasts with the permanence of the stone temple, which has withstood millennia of history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cd620b92-bbb2-4bfa-b2d4-edb1a84dc1b5) - ![The landscape provides a contemporary setting for the community to engage with the heritage site, offering seating, shade, and accessible pathways.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/30f3ea8a-1479-468c-a9fb-27ece03c184f) - ![The adaptive reuse project aims to create a vibrant public destination by infusing a historic site with new programs like co-working spaces and farmers markets.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5450fae1-9fa5-4b7d-91b7-36d033db78c7) - ![The master plan for the palace reuse project shows how new architecture can respectfully enclose and activate the spaces around heritage buildings.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6fa03adc-619c-4d70-a4ff-c1136ae1ef7b) - ![The design for the palace complex creates a series of interconnected indoor and outdoor rooms, encouraging exploration and providing a variety of experiences.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/17425dba-5cfc-47c7-8226-e0c0a5483097) ## About Adaptive Reuse & Heritage Landscapes We treat every heritage site as a dialogue between the past and the present. Our interventions, whether at a 12th-century temple or a colonial-era campus, are never about imposition. We use a thinking hand process, employing physical models and site analysis to understand the existing logic before introducing interventions that are often reversible, respecting the site's original integrity while adapting it for modern life. Adaptive reuse is rarely about just repairing a building. It is about analyzing what a site already offers and deciding what it needs to become functional in a modern context. When we worked on the KLE Centenary Museum, we faced a dilapidated colonial building. The challenge was not just restoration, but extending the program into the landscape. We introduced new pavilions that dialogue with the heritage structure, creating a plaza that facilitates public movement and engagement. The design creates a scripted path, where water features and specific material palettes guide visitors through the history of the institution. In other cases, permanence is not the goal. For a 12th-century stone temple site, we developed a redeployable landscape strategy. We chose to use non-permanent, modular elements like planters and seating panels that can be moved or reconfigured. This respects the ancient stone structures by ensuring our intervention remains ephemeral and avoids structural conflict with archaeological foundations. Our process involves: * **Contextual Analysis:** We document existing structures for retention, adaptation, or demolition, using Nolli maps to study built-form versus open-space ratios. * **Material Strategy:** We prefer honest materials that weather well and contrast respectfully with historical fabric, such as wood, stone, and concrete. * **Micro-climate Design:** We utilize water bodies and strategic shading devices to make forgotten spaces habitable again. Whether it is transforming an underutilized 18th-century palace complex into a commercial hub or designing a memorial pavilion, our goal remains constant: creating environments that are sensitive to the existing rhythm of the site while enabling new community interactions. ## About Thirdspace We are Praveen and Namrata, the duo behind Thirdspace. Based in Pune and Belagavi, we spend our time sketching under trees and exploring how buildings can live second lives. We do not just design; we listen to the site's history and help it evolve for the future. [See all of Thirdspace's services](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace) ## More from Urban Design & Master Planning by Thirdspace - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/urban-design-master-planning/featured) - [Community & Housing Master Planning](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/urban-design-master-planning/community-housing-master-planning) - [Institutional & Commercial Architecture](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/urban-design-master-planning/institutional-commercial-architecture) - [Student & Co-Living Spaces](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/urban-design-master-planning/student-co-living-spaces) - [Urban Interventions & Infrastructure](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/urban-design-master-planning/urban-interventions-infrastructure) - [Private Residences](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/urban-design-master-planning/private-residences) - [Design Process: Models & Diagrams](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/urban-design-master-planning/design-process-models-diagrams) - [Studio & Culture](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/urban-design-master-planning/studio-culture) ## More services by Thirdspace - [Architectural Design](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/architectural-design) - [Interior Design](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/interior-design) - [Heritage Restoration & Adaptive Reuse](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse) ## Similar work from other experts - [Adaptive Reuse and Heritage Conservation Design](https://mytribe.in/compartment_s4/community-public-space-design/adaptive-reuse-heritage-conservation) by Compartment S4 · Community & Public Space Design · Studios in Ahmedabad & Bengaluru; Public space projects across India - [Adaptive Reuse Architecture and Heritage Retrofitting](https://mytribe.in/studio.ata.delhi/urban-design-placemaking/adaptive-reuse-breathing-new-life-into-old-buildings) by Aishwarya Tipnis Architects · Urban Design & Placemaking · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Greater Kailash, New Delhi - [Adaptive Reuse and Heritage Architecture Restoration](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/design-build-services/adaptive-reuse-the-archaeology-of-space) by Malik Architecture · Design & Build Services · Takes projects across India; Visit office at Ballard Estate, Mumbai - [Heritage Conservation and Adaptive Reuse](https://mytribe.in/architects_mathewghosh/urban-design-master-planning/reimagining-heritage-conservation-adaptive-reuse) by Mathew and Ghosh · Urban Design & Master Planning · Visit Studio in Koramangala; Projects across Bengaluru & India - [Heritage Restoration and Adaptive Reuse](https://mytribe.in/b.e.t.w.e.e.n.l.i.n.e.s/architectural-design/heritage-restoration-adaptive-reuse) by Betweenlines · Architectural Design · Visit Studio in BTM Layout; Projects across Karnataka & Tamil Nadu - [Breathing New Life Into Heritage Structures](https://mytribe.in/architecturedialogue/urban-design-master-planning/adaptive-reuse-heritage-conservation) by Architecture Dialogue · Urban Design & Master Planning · Studios in Bengaluru & Hyderabad; Master planning across India ## Book To book Thirdspace, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20work%20on%20adaptive%20reuse%20and%20heritage%20landscapes%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20a%20project%20I%20have%20in%20mind.)