Bricks of history

Architecture conservation is gaining momentum in India.

Exactly 20 years ago, Aman Nath and Francis Wacziarg found themselves staring at a dilapidated fort in Rajasthan. Today, the same fort is an excuse for people to flock to Neemrana, to get away from the din of city life, to capture the essence of an era gone by and to soak in the pleasures that the fort offers.

As we gaze around Nath's home in New Delhi, it's not difficult to understand his romance with conservation. Nath has pieces of history neatly stacked in different corners of his home and it's not surprising then, the passion with which he talks to us about his, and Wacziarg's (his business partner), journey into architecture restoration.

If writing books on the subject weren't enough, Neemrana was a challenge in restoration taken up by the duo. They acquired the fort, pumped funds and started working gradually in the hope to lure people to head towards this otherwise nondescript place.

Today, the fort hosts awards functions, conferences, has a well-equipped conference room, swimming pool and gardens, besides a unique water feature that's under construction. Over the years, the duo has been continuously adding such projects under their Neemrana "brand" of hotels.

By the time you read this, Nath would have added Rajinder Kothi in Patiala to the list. They will also restore the 18th century Tijara fort near Alwar, besides a 16th century Dutch home in Cochin. Soon they will be heading to Goa to see three properties, besides looking at a similar project in Coorg.

A proposal has propped up in Tanjore where the duo have been invited to restore the palace, while in Gujarat both Nath and Wacziarg are showing avid interest to acquire a property for restoration. Simply put, the duo are dotting their Neemrana brand on the Indian map quite seriously.

Better still, as Wacziarg says, "We're creating tourist destinations. We made Tranquebar in Tamil Nadu a destination that earlier didn't exist." While the duo are seducing centuries old properties, thankfully, in the business of architecture conservation they're not all alone.

"They (Nath and Wacziarg) have made restoration fashionable," says Anil Bakshi, CEO, Arc Associates. Bakshi worked with architect Ramesh Khosla to restore the Serena Hotel in Kabul.

"We started restoring it almost after the Taliban had been felled. The hotel was an old, dilapidated building and shell damage had only made it worse," he says, adding, "nearly $ 35 million was spent on the restoration project."

Arc Associates is now involved with restoration work in some Shekhawati havelis in Rajasthan. "Sometimes preserving old buildings can cost more money and razing them to the ground is more cost-effective," he says. But he adds, "More and more individuals are coming to us to help them restore their ancestral homes."

It sparks of a trend, more and more individuals homing in to preserve their ancestral homes. In fact, Villa Pottipati in Bangalore is an interesting case in point. The eight-room bungalow belongs to a certain Reddy family that is now settled in the US.

"They approached us and funded the entire restoration project with just Rs 25 lakh," explains Wacziarg. And their consultation fees? "We don't charge any such fees," promises Wazciarg, while Nath chips in, "We are here for the love of restoration."

Nath and Wacziarg are approached "everyday" by individuals for such projects, complete with house plans, CD presentations and even photographs of homes. "We can't be associated with each and every offer but yes, we do try and pick up the best," says Nath.

Young architect Radhika Sabharwal who has specialised in architecture conservation also admits to be approached by lots of individuals. Sabharwal is busy restoring New Delhi's Red Fort and feels it is challenging to restore old buildings, forts and monuments.

Sabharwal was engaged in the renovation of the Jaisalmer fort under the Jaisalmer in Jeopardy project, UK. While she was there, she restored a 350-year-old haveli too and is now working with architect Karan Grover on a project in Jadavgadi haveli in Pune. "People want to get associated with their roots," she reasons.

"We try to be completely authentic to what was original", says Wacziarg, adding quickly, "without attaching nostalgia to it." He is in Matheran where INTACH's Pune chapter is looking into the masterplan to develop Matheran and promote it further. Sabharwal cautions, "We're still in very early stages of architecture conservation."

As long as our journey into the past has begun, it's a hope well revived.