An ancient mansion lodge dating back to 1932 has been restored a swanky boutique hotel. Hema Vijay takes a look . . .
At a time when the merits and demerits of holding on to ancient buildings is being debated, the transformation of this building shows you how a restoration effort can be both commercially viable and historically relevant. City-based architecture firm APRObuild was given the task of restoring this dilapidated 1932 mansion lodge that lies in the neighbourhood of heritage structures like Victoria Memorial and Ripon Building.
After a year though, this once dingy structure is now a well-lit, swanky, 49-room boutique hotel with modern service layers and is energy independent. Retaining the 15-inch thick load-bearing walls, this three-storied building was demarcated with a load bearing structure on a linear plan into three bays, taking into account the varying width of the linear structure. Rooms with wash areas were carved out along a linear asymmetric plan, with each room getting a different layout based on its location.
“It is possible to breathe new life into these buildings by using the shell and modifying the use. With innovation and a little investment, they can be state-of-the art structures. This reduces the waste created by demolition, cuts down investment on new projects and creates pride for all people associated with it,” says Anuradha N Rao, architect, APRObuild.
For the central corridors cut off from natural light and for the cafe interiors, light tubes (lined by reflective surfaces on its inner walls) were used to channel in sunlight and flash it inside, with further lighting provided by LED and CFL lighting. Likewise, glass blocks have been incorporated in the walls to bring in daylight at the floor level. Air quality is maintained by washable fabric ducts and heat recovery from the chilled water system is used to generate hot water.
On the aesthetic front, the building’s elevation was restored and brickwork cladding incorporated to match the heritage look of the neighbourhood. A ‘bell tower’ inspired by older buildings in the area was incorporated in the building’s elevation. Original balustrades and windows were retained, though a few more windows were carved out to light the dingy stairways. The cafe was given tram-inspired booth seating, taking inspiration from the fact that the area was once the neighbourhood for a tram station. Interior decor dominated by creative photography of old Madras architecture accentuates the heritage impact.
At a construction cost of Rs. 5 crore, the building has been given modern relevance even while maintaining its historical significance. With occupancy of the boutique hotel rising steadily, the restoration effort looks set to pay rich dividends.
