Located in the Kashmere Gate neighborhood of Delhi’s walled city, the Seth Ram Lal Khemka Haveli was a dilapidated haveli in the center of the commercial whole sale bazaar of Chotta Bazaar. The family of the current owner bought the haveli in 1920, however it was originally built in the 1850s. The current proprietor acquired the haveli’s front courtyard in 2010 after buying out from his cousins.
The project, undertaken by the conservation architect Aishwarya Tipnis, was the first private restoration project within the walled city.
The New Beginning
The project brief said that the current owner wanted to restore and refurbish the house in order to make it easier for his three sons to get married. As a typical Indian Marwari joint family looking to place their boys in arranged marriages, their goal was to present a pleasant home to potential women.
The Issue
In May 2010, the current owner approached the architect about remodeling the interior of this home. The initial site visit revealed that beneath the layers of neglect and decay was a relic with huge potential for restoration and repurposing into a gorgeous heritage home that retained its old-world beauty while also fitting the demands of modern living. Another significant problem was that, despite being a Grade II heritage building, it was not officially listed and hence presented some challenges in terms of recognition.
The Approach
An enormous undertaking from the start, it took the team three months to simply introduce the owner to the ideas of tradition and antiquity and to change his viewpoint from one of ostentatious, modern interior design to one of enjoying the home’s old-world beauty. In addition, the design concept centered on bringing the haveli back to its former splendor, which necessitated lengthy discussions and back-and-forth exchanging of concepts and viewpoints until a fresh interpretation of the location was developed.
Approach to Restoration – A Battle of Old vs. Modern
The restoration process made use of regional resources, native craftspeople, and indigenous methods. In order to come up with creative ideas, the client, craftsmen, and architect worked collaboratively to make decisions.
Battle 1: Lime vs. Cement
The client, Mr. Bagla, was adamant on using cement citing his inclination was a result of saving time and money. Moreover, he believed that lime mortar was an outdated procedure. Eventually, Tipnis was able to convince him to opt for lime in the end – thus safeguarding the sustainability of the project as well.
Battle 2: Handmade Tiles
In order to maintain his vision of a ‘modern and posh’ interior, Mr. Bagla was insistent on using vitrified tiles available at an affordable price. However, this issue was resolved when Tipnis recommended a pottery artist in Khurja who was able to supply handmade tiles at a much more affordable price.
Battle 3: Reusing, Repurposing and Refurbishing the Old
The following were included in this project: all of the ancient timber doors and windows were reused after being restored; local stone was used; local carpenters installed the kitchen on site rather than using one that was manufactured off-site; and local light fixtures were used rather than Chinese ones. Although it was a sustainable practice, the client also took it since it was wise financially and increased the worth of his home and his family.
Bridging the gap between theory and practice
[focus keywords: recognition of a landmark, pride of locals, collaborative experience, courtyard culture]
Initially, the vicinity of the haveli did not seem to have much presence, seemingly existing as people went about their daily lives. However, it was not until the scaffolding was erected along the street façade of the Seth Ram Lal Khemka haveli near Kashmere Gate that people began to notice this magnificent structure. As the restoration process of the façade continued, the haveli gained recognition as a landmark in the neighborhood. Locals began to identify it as a stately home that made them feel proud to live in their neighborhood. The building’s surroundings became more hygienic, and people were reluctant to park their cars up against its facade.
Tipnis introduced the concept of a collaborative experience by organizing workshops for students and enthusiasts alike to take part in the remodeling of the haveli and popularized the concept of utilizing the courtyard for holding events and activities.
The Art of Collaboration
[focus keywords: local expertise, locally accessible resources, knowledge of conservation practices]
The Haveli project transformed the concept of restoration from one dominated by advanced technology and experts to one that ordinary people can understand and accomplish. It successfully showcased the innovation produced via ingenuity and local expertise. Each solution was realistic, appropriate for the current situation, and accomplished using locally accessible resources within a limited budget.
The project demonstrated that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for any given situation. Negotiation was the tool used, not enforcement. Throughout the project, the client, architect, and craftspeople worked together to find solutions, even for technical challenges. The solution was culturally appropriate, cost-effective, and aligned with acknowledged conservation practices. The project shifted the traditional function of architects from designers to facilitators.
References:
- Articles
- Tipnis, A. (2019) Engagements in the courtyard: Restoring a haveli in Old Delhi. Edited by R. Knoop. Available at: https://www.reinwardt.ahk.nl/media/rwa/docs/Publicaties/Engagements_in_the_Courtyard_Aiswarhya_Tipnis. Based on the Reinwardt Memorial Lecture, March 7, 2019
- Architects, A.T. (2014) About the project, The Haveli Project. Available at: http://thehaveliproject.blogspot.com/p/about-project.html.
- Images/visual mediums
- Tipnis, A. (2019) Engagements in the courtyard: Restoring a haveli in Old Delhi. Edited by R. Knoop. Available at: https://www.reinwardt.ahk.nl/media/rwa/docs/Publicaties/Engagements_in_the_Courtyard_Aiswarhya_Tipnis. Based on the Reinwardt Memorial Lecture, March 7, 2019
- Architects, A.T. (2014) About the project, The Haveli Project. Available at: http://thehaveliproject.blogspot.com/p/about-project.html.
- ATA – projects details. Available at: http://www.aishwaryatipnisarchitects.com/restorationadaptivereuseofsethramlalkhemkahavelikashmeregatedelhi-b781828b-999f-11e5-918f-3417ebe479a0.html
