Heritage Restoration & Adaptive Reuse
Available across United Arab Emirates
We restore and repurpose heritage buildings by preserving original details and materials, while making them functional for modern use.
Pricing Guide
Ancestral Home Structural Restoration & Modernization
Structural & Civil Restoration
- Foundation Protection: Specialized anti-termite treatment for foundation/timber and chemical injection damp-proofing for laterite walls.
- Roofing System: Structural audit of timber trusses, replacement of decayed rafters, and installation of Mangalore clay tiles with heat-insulation lining.
- Wall & Floor: Crack stitching with polymer mortar, lime plastering, and traditional Oxide (Red/Black/Yellow) or Athangudi tile flooring.
Heritage Woodwork & Joinery
- Timber Restoration: Scraping and PU/Melamine polishing of antique pillars and Nalukettu courtyard elements.
- Windows & Doors: Refurbishment of existing frames, replacement of unsalvageable units with new teak wood, and retrofitting with brass hardware.
Modern MEP & Utilities Upgrade
- Electrical: Fire-retardant wiring (Finolex/Polycab) and modular switches (Legrand/Schneider).
- Plumbing: New CPVC/UPVC concealed piping lines replacing old plumbing.
- Bathrooms: Installation of wall-hung WCs, diverters (Kohler/Jaguar), and natural stone or rustic tiling.
Architectural Services
- Design & Oversight: Includes conceptual design, working drawings for restoration, and periodic site supervision.
Commercial Heritage Adaptive Reuse & Fit-out
High-Traffic Infrastructure
- Flooring: Heavy-duty Flamed Granite, Kota Stone, or vintage-look vitrified tiles designed for commercial footfall.
- HVAC Systems: Design and installation of VRV/VRF air-conditioning units concealed within wooden false ceilings or trusses.
- Kitchen Civil Works: Grease traps, high-capacity drainage, and heavy-duty exhaust ducting routes suitable for industrial kitchens.
Ambiance & Acoustics
- Lighting: Architectural design including track lights, cove lighting, and restoration of antique chandeliers.
- Sound Control: Acoustic paneling and ceiling treatments to manage noise levels in high-volume spaces.
- Finishes: Textured wall painting, exposed laterite cladding, and decorative Jali partitions.
Facade & Landscape Works
- Exterior: Cleaning and restoration of the building facade for grand entry appeal.
- Landscaping: Courtyard water bodies, tropical planting, and cobblestone/interlock paving for parking areas.
Commercial Safety Compliance
- Fire Safety: Integration of smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and emergency signage per building codes.
About Heritage Restoration & Adaptive Reuse
Giving History a Future
Every old building has a personality and a story that’s waiting to be retold. I don’t just work on bricks and wood - I listen to the legacy inside each space and find ways to create a new chapter that feels right for today. Whether it’s the tiny detail on a door or the look of the whole place, I try to keep things timeless and still totally usable.
A Dialogue Between Eras
My style mixes old-school vibes with modern comfort. I’m all about traditional Indian and Keralan influences but I keep things uncluttered and functional. Natural materials matter to me - you’ll see laterite, local stone, old wood, terracotta tiles, and jali bricks throughout my projects. These choices help keep the building’s character real and honest.
I love working with old craftsmanship - those hand-carved details, the kind that make you say, “Wow, who made this?” I restore these, so the skills aren’t lost and can still be admired.
Breathing New Life into Old Spaces
I specialize in historic building transformation and adaptive reuse of heritage properties. Sometimes that means turning an old place into a restaurant, a resort, or a Kerala heritage hotel renovation. Like converting a Calicut relic into Restaurant Chef Pillai, or making Villa de 1945 in Mahe a luxury hotel with real soul.
For ancestral homes, I focus on keeping the heart of the house but updating it for how families live now. Places like Sa Sha Villa in Kannur show what happens when you blend tradition with today - the place feels rooted and fresh at the same time.
More Than Just a Building
When you trust me with your family’s legacy, it’s not just a job. Ithu enteyum oru swapnam aanu (this is a dream of mine too). We’re on this journey together, giving history a future that feels like home.
Meet your Expert
VM Architects
54 connects in last 3 months
My Story
I’m Vinay, the face behind VM Architects. Kerala’s old stories and textures are in my bones, even though we’re building in Bangalore and Calicut now. I’m obsessed with mixing old-school charm—like courtyards and laterite stone—with clean, modern vibes. We celebrate every finished home with a milk warming, making clients family. Ente hridayam niranja nanni to all who let us be part of their journey.
My Work
Custom Homes, Villas & Apartments - We design unique homes, villas, and apartments, tailored to your story and needs.
Hospitality & Commercial Spaces - Resorts, restaurants, convention centres - we handle architecture and full interiors, from plan to finish.
Kerala Roots, Modern Wings - We mix Kerala heritage—woodwork, courtyards—with minimalist lines. Courtyard home design is our thing.
Nature Inside Out - Spaces breathe with light, air, and greenery. Large windows, green courtyards, jali brick interiors.
Materials with Soul - We use real stuff: laterite stone, exposed brick, wood, granite. No fake finishes.
Work Across Regions - From Calicut to Bangalore, Kerala, Karnataka, even Dubai—our designs travel with you.
