The restoration and adaptive reuse of the Seth Ram Lal Khemka Haveli, located in Chotta Bazar, Kashmere Gate within the historic walled city of Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi), was the first private restoration project initiated by a local family.

This pioneering project sought to demystify heritage conservation and make it relevant to everyday life, demonstrating that historic havelis can be sensitively restored into comfortable 21st-century homes within limited budgets.

A Grade II A listed heritage haveli, the building had been neglected for nearly 50 years, suffering from major structural issues including cracks, dampness, and disuse. The restoration required innovation and “jugaad” to balance modern needs with heritage significance.

The methodology emphasized indigenous techniques and local craftsmanship. Traditional skills such as lime mortar masonry, wood carpentry, cast ironwork, ceramic tiling, and china mosaic flooring were revived. This process was particularly challenging since the client initially preferred “modern” finishes, requiring extensive dialogue to highlight the value of traditional methods.

The project was highly collaborative, involving constant negotiation between client, craftsmen, and architects. It was executed while the family continued to live in the haveli, making space management and budget constraints ongoing challenges.

Completed in October 2017, the project has become a benchmark for private heritage restoration, showcasing how tradition and modern living can coexist meaningfully.