Haveli Restoration, Bagru
Adaptive reuse of a 140-year-old masonry structure into a textile archive & artisan studio.
Architectural Renders & Diagrams
Blueprint & Elevation linework
Active Technical Diagram Description
Front elevation showcasing restored stone Jali screen and central arch gateway.
Design Concept & Spatial Rationale
Honoring Heritage through Reversible Interventions
Located in the historic block-printing hub of Bagru, this 19th-century Haveli had suffered years of moisture intrusion and structural neglect. Studio Mitti led a rigorous documentation process, repairing damaged load-bearing masonry using period-correct surkhi mortar while removing unsafe non-structural additions made in recent decades.
Inserting Contemporary Utility
To transform the building into an active workshop and textile archive, lightweight structural steel frames were inserted into the double-height stables. These self-supporting steel frames carry glass-enclosed archive rooms without transferring loads onto the fragile stone vaults, establishing a clear visual dialog between old and new.
Key Spatial Features
- Re-established historic stone Jali lattice work using local masons
- Self-supporting structural steel mezzanine inserted in main hall
- Natural indigo & madder dye wastewater filtration garden
- Textile climate-controlled archival vault within ground vault
Scope of Services
- Heritage Structural Stabilization
- Lime Mortar Re-grouting & Arch Consolidation
- Adaptive Reuse Interior Planning
- Textile Drying Court & Exhibition Galleries
- Custom Brass & Salvaged Timber Lighting
Project Timeline
18 Months (Documentation: 4 mos | Restoration & Retrofit: 14 mos)
Client & Location
Client: Chhipa Artisan Collective
Location: Bagru Town, Rajasthan
Material Palette & Tectonic Integrity
Surkhi (Crushed Brick Mortar)
Traditional hydraulic binding mortar for lime stone walls.
Dholpur Pink Sandstone
Hand-carved brackets, floor flags, and courtyard coping.
Arakh Natural Dye Stains
Earth pigment stains applied to low-stress timber trim.
Patinated Sheet Brass
Contemporary inserted museum lighting fixtures & signages.