1

Adaptive Reuse of Colonial Buildings

Introduction
Colonial buildings in postcolonial India serve as reminders of historical oppression and platforms for
architectural transformation. The adaptive reuse of these structures reflects a vital cultural practice,
preserving history while accommodating modern needs. Architects have reshaped India’s national identity
by blending modernist ideals with colonial-era architecture to express the ambitions of a newly independent
nation. This essay investigates the reimagining of British colonial buildings like the Town Hall in Kolkata,
the Imperial Hotel in New Delhi, and the Cinnamon Boutique in Bangalore. The Imperial Hotel maintains
its colonial elegance, blending it with modern hospitality, while Town Hall and Cinnamon Boutique
illustrate how colonial-era buildings can be repurposed to serve contemporary social and cultural functions.

Through these examples, the essay examines the role of adaptive reuse in preserving the colonial past while
meeting contemporary architectural needs, analyzed through Norman Goodman's framework of denotation,
exemplification, metaphorical expression, and mediated reference (Goodman, 1985). It explores how the
adaptive reuse of colonial architecture contributes to India’s postcolonial identity. It will examine the key
architectural elements preserved in these projects and investigate how architects balance historical
preservation with contemporary needs. The essay will also examine how repurposed colonial buildings
contribute to cultural and commercial revitalization in Indian cities.

Goodman states that denotation is where a building directly indicates its function or sends a clear message
about what it stands for. The second is exemplification, where the structure highlights certain
characteristics, setting itself apart architecturally by serving as an exemplar. The third type is metaphorical
expression, where a building references other forms or structures, even if they are not functionally or
directly similar. Lastly, mediated reference involves invoking meanings of other buildings or structures
through indirect or implied connections (Bharat, 2023).
 2

A Cultural Landmark: Town Hall

Figure 1 Figure 2
Central Hall After The Restoration. Basement Of The Town Hall During An Exhibition.

Note. Both sides of the central hall’s colonnades are used as a Note. The Basement is an extension of the museum programme,
display space for the Kolkata Panorama Museum is used as a permanent display area for sculptures.

Figure 3 Figure 4
Ground Floor Plan First Floor Plan

Note. The floor plan shows the front portico and reuse Note. The plan of first floor shows additions of spiral
of the open plan of the central hall into the museum. staircases on the northern facade with a lift.
 3

Originally meant for public meetings and administrative duties during British rule, Kolkata's Town Hall
was constructed in 1814. It is a Palladian-Doric structure with two storeys and a basement repurposed by
Udayan Pvt Ltd. Featuring hexastyle porticos, brick masonry walls, and large circular columns, the central
hall includes rows of columns and timber floors. Structural issues had plagued the building and despite
previous repairs, the building required significant restoration. Although, the original plans of the building
were never found. (Majumder, 1997).

The goal of the building's adaptive reuse was to maintain its colonial facade while adapting its interior for
public events and exhibitions. Post-restoration, the open ground floor housed a public library and municipal
office, while the central hall became home to the Kolkata Panorama Museum. The first floor was used for
public gatherings, administrative meetings, and seminars and the basement became home to sculpture
exhibitions. Accessibility ramps have been installed in the town hall to allow all guests easy access and
enable inclusion in the centre hall for public events. Climate control systems have been built to ensure that
exhibitions and library activities run well, and security measures have been put to safeguard heritage
objects. (Bose, 2012).

The Town Hall exemplifies over 200 years of Kolkata’s architectural, technological, and cultural history,
making it an irreplaceable asset. Replacing the Town Hall would mean losing a vital part of the city that
denotes colonial heritage and urban character. By maintaining the architectural language while updating the
interior for modern uses, the project establishes a connection between Kolkata’s colonial past and its present
role as a cultural capital (Mediated Reference). Therefore, the restoration project in a way stands as a
metaphorical expression of sustainable development that preserved both the cultural essence and
architectural landmark of the city.

Timeless Luxury: The Imperial Hotel, New Delhi

The Image on the left shows Lyutens’ version of Imperial while the image on the right is post-restoration.
 4

Figure 7 Figure 8
The central Lobby Ground Floor Plan

Note. Central lobby connecting the corridors that lead to Note. Ground floor plan of the restored building showing
different sample rooms. circulation and designated uses of spaces.

With its Neoclassical colonial architecture with IndoSaracenic elements, it was designed by Edwin Lutyens
in 1931 to serve British officials and dignitaries with international cuisines having banquet halls, conference
rooms, restaurants and bars. The hotel was home to verdant gardens, large verandas, spacious courtyards,
and marble colonnades whispering the informal chats between the British and Indian politicians, aristocrats,
and administrators during and after the British Raj (Singh, 2021).

No structural alterations were made during the project when it was repurposed by Studio IAAD . The rooms
were crafted in different wings by creating Atriums with artefacts and walls laden with art pieces and
lithographs across three floors. The restaurant took seven years in the making, as temple art and vegetable
dyes were used in creating its interiors (Singh, 2021). The Hotel integrates modern amenities such as
climate control, advanced security systems, and luxurious fixtures while retaining significant elements of its
original design. The restoration process preserved the stonework and columns, blending them with
contemporary adaptations. Once serving as gathering spaces for British officials, the garden verandas have
been repurposed into high-end restaurants and luxury retail outlets. Security systems have also been
enhanced to ensure guest safety while maintaining the integrity of the hotel's key architectural aspects.

The adaptive reuse project aimed to preserve the hotel’s cultural legacy, denoting the historical and cultural
narrative of New Delhi (Sahoo, 2024). The hotel exemplifies Lutyens’ colonial architectural style, which
combined European classical elements with local Indian influences creating the Indo Saracenic elements.
So, the challenge was to retain the metaphorical expression of the historical conjunction between the past
and the present while respecting the integrity of the original space. As a result, the design intent is driven by
an approach that pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of its surroundings. (Mediated Reference) (A+D
& Kashishkaushal, 2024).
 5

3. Shelter To Style: Cinnamon Boutique, Bangalore

Note. Side-by-side comparison of the floor plan of the old building as an orphanage and the new buildings as a
boutique.

Figure 11 Figure 12
View Of The Central Courtyard From Inside. Isometric View From Bottom.

Note.The rooms around the courtyard that were once occupied Note. The upper section showing the building’s
by children are being used as sections of the boutique. original wooden rafter ceiling beams were
kept untouched.
 6

Figure 13
Front elevation

The front elevation shows 2 central entrance columns and arched windows that were tinted once.

Cinnamon Boutique was originally built in 1892 by a philanthropist with the help of the British government
as an orphanage to ease the miserable condition of the orphans after the Great Famine 1876-78. The
building sits on an elevated platform with imposing columns at the entrance. Repurposed by Mathew and
Ghosh Architects, it represents typical colonial residential architecture in tropical regions, with large
verandas, high ceilings, and open spaces (Dhas, 2021).

The 120-year-old structure located on wetlands had significant underground soil conditions that caused
fractures in the foundation and unequal settlement. The building's corners were stabilized through
underpinning to prevent foundation settlement and reinforced followed by lime mortar grouting. The central
courtyard has been transformed into a gathering place for guests, and the old verandas have been converted
into display spaces. The preservation of the building’s original wooden rafter ceiling beams, terracotta tiles,
wrought iron detailing and ample natural light filtering through arched windows and stained glass displays
contributes to maintaining its colonial character, even as it is adapted for modern retail use (Mediated
Reference). (Ghosh, 2013). The Boutique also has ramps for accessibility, allowing simple transit through
its renovated spaces, and climate control systems that complement its original design, offering a
comfortable environment for visitors.

The goal of this adaptive reuse project was to preserve colonial elements, which denotes its historical
significance, despite its current transformation into a boutique. The building exemplifies traditional colonial
residential architecture found in tropical regions, featuring spacious verandas, high ceilings, and open areas.
While preserving authenticity with ramps for accessibility, the building’s transition into a luxury retail space
metaphorically expresses how historical residential structures can be reimagined as commercial hubs,
merging past and present.
 7

Conclusion

Adaptive reuse is essential in the urban landscape of heritage-rich countries like India, as it fosters
sustainable urban development by minimizing the need for new construction while preserving cultural
heritage (Chowdhury & Pati, 2023). As cities grow, achieving a balance between modernization and
conservation becomes crucial. These projects reinterpret colonial history, turning symbols of oppression
into spaces that promote cultural revival and national identity.

Significant architectural elements, such as the Palladian-Doric columns of the Town Hall, the
Indo-Saracenic details of the Imperial Hotel, and the verandas of Cinnamon Boutique are preserved to
ensure continuity between the historical and contemporary functions of these buildings. Architects have
successfully balanced preservation with modern needs by incorporating features like accessibility ramps,
climate control, and security systems while maintaining the integrity of the original facades. As
urbanization progresses, adaptive reuse provides a sustainable and culturally sensitive approach, ensuring
the legacy of colonial architecture endures and contributes positively to India’s evolving urban landscape.
 8

Bibliography

1. A+D, T., & Kashishkaushal. (2024, February 7). Breathing new life into Delhi’s historic Imperial Hotel:
Rachna Agarwal’s adaptive reuse project for Godrej’s Experience Centre. Architecture + Design.
https://www.architectureplusdesign.in/architecture/breathing-new-life-into-delhis-historic-imperial-hotel-rac
hna-agarwals-adaptive-reuse-project-for-godrejs-experience-centre/
2. Bhagat, M. (2022). Esplanade Mansions: The grand palace of the city. Calcutta Chronicle.
https://calcuttachronicle.co.in/esplanade-mansions-the-grand-palace-of-the-city/
3. Bose, S. (2012). Restoration of Town Hall in Kolkata for adaptive reuse: A case study. ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235317727_Restoration_of_Town_Hall_in_Kolkata_for_adaptive
_reuse_A_case_study
4. Dhas, A. (2021, January 22). Cinnamon Boutique [Slide show]. Scribd.
https://www.scribd.com/document/491734113/cinnamon-boutique
5. Ghosh, S. (2013). CINNAMON - A boutique store housed in a building from the 19th century.
Architexturez.
https://architexturez.net/doc/az-cf-166162
6. Sharma, M. (2023, October 1). Adaptive reuse of old, decaying buildings in metros across India.
Hindustan Times.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhinews/adaptivereuseofolddecayingbuildingsinmetrosacrossindia
101712513559745.html
7. Jain, A., & Gupta, P. (2021). A study on adaptive reuse of heritage buildings in urban India. Journal of
Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 8(6), 385-392.
https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2109404.pdf
8. Kaarwan, T. (2024). Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings: From old to modern use. Kaarwan Blogs.
https://www.kaarwan.com/blog/architecture/adaptive-reuse-heritage-buildings-transforming-old-spaces-for-
modern-use?id=857
9. Gupta, A. (2023, July 5). 8 impeccably restored heritage spaces across India. Architectural Digest.
https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/8impeccablyrestoredheritagespacesacrossindia/
10. Gupta, P., & Kaur, A. (2021). The role of adaptive reuse in sustainable architecture: A study of the
Indian context. International Journal for Research in Emerging Science and Technology, 6(2), 160-167.
https://ijream.org/papers/IJREAMV06I0262160.pdf
11. Prakash, S. (2023). Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings: Case studies and analysis. International Journal
of Fine Arts, Music and Research, 3(1), 15-25.
https://www.ijfmr.com/papers/2023/3/4002.pdf
12. Ray, S. N. (2022, April 15). Renovation hope for two landmark Kolkata buildings. The Times of India.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/renovation-hope-for-two-landmark-kol-buildings/articlesho
w/90854843.cms
 9

13. Rethinking The Future. (2023). Instances of adaptive reuse in India. Rethinking The Future.
https://www.rethinkingthefuture.com/rtffreshperspectives/a10998instancesofadaptivereuseinindia/
14. Sahoo, P. (2024, January 6). Adaptive reuse architecture: Old spaces breathing new life. The Architects
Diary.
https://thearchitectsdiary.com/adaptive-reuse-architecture-old-spaces-breathing-new-life
15. Shree, S. (2023). The Imperial Hotel and its rich history. Historic Hotels: Then and Now.
https://www.historichotelsthenandnow.com/imperialdelhi.html
16. Singh, S. (2021, April 5). The Imperial and its rich history with interiors. ETHospitalityWorld.com.
https://hospitality.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/hotels/the-imperial-and-its-rich-history-with-interior
s/81902399
17. Venkat, S. (2023). Adaptive reuse and urban renewal: A study report. Issuu.
https://issuu.com/surya.venkat/docs/suryavenkatreport
18. Viswanadha, S. (2023). Sustainable adaptive reuse in architecture: Analysis of contemporary practices.
Indian Institute of Architecture Journal.
https://www.iiajournal.com/uploads/articles/vfDkCirACm220919023047.pdf
19. Balaraman, M. (2013). Sustainable heritage architecture: Case studies in India. ScienceDirect.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095263513000642
20. Scribd. (2015). Imperial Hotel New Delhi. Scribd.
https://www.scribd.com/document/258825582/Imperial-Hotel-New-Delhi
21. Ghosh, M. (2023). Adaptive reuse of Cinnamon Boutique: A case study. Mathew Ghosh.
http://www.mathewghosh.com/adaptive-reuse-cinnamon.html
22. Scribd. (2023). Cinnamon Boutique: Heritage and modernity. PDF Coffee.
https://pdfcoffee.com/cinnamon-boutique-pdf-free.html
23. Chowdhury, S., & Pati, R. (2023). Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings for sustainable urban
regeneration: Two case studies from India. ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373642585_Adaptive_Reuse_of_Heritage_Buildings_for_Sustain
able_Urban_Regeneration_Two_Case_Studies_from_India