LuxeBook September -2021

of history and heritage. In a heritage property there is a limitation of creativity, as there is already a base, which an architect has to skilfully enhance.” Another aspect of utmost importance is maintenance, as the properties must be updated to last. In the Belgadia palace, Spaces & Design used a large quantity of marble, stone and tiles to prevent the ‘rising damp’, which, as Bihani explains, is the seepage of moisture in the walls of an old building. New wood was also avoided to deter termites; in fact, the palace used the least number of plies, lower than any other project Bihani has worked on. “Sites with a long history require a copious amount of R&D—studying a range of architectural styles, replicating damaged décor to match the style of the time, researching the type of paint to be used, and how it was applied,” she explains. The architect had some surprises waiting at the palace. While renovating, her crew discovered ancient arches that originally opened into the veranda. These arches had probably been shut by a previous generation of royals, but were identified due to the difference in brick quality and slight discrepancies in construction. Bihani credits these discoveries in making the journey of renovating an old home even more exciting. Fit for Royalty The original design had 25 rooms, but the space was changed during the renovation to accommodate nine rooms, including luxury suites, conference spaces, an extended library, billiards and a theatre room, extended dining table, rooftop area, gym, spa, museum with additional verandas. Timeless chequeredblack andwhitemarbles, chandeliers, detailed mirror work, vintage tiles, vibrant colour schemes, claw-footed bathtubs, heirloom carpets added to the meticulous details ensconced in this heritage hotel. Royal Doulton sinks and taps were replaced by modern shower textures, and the old Lalique lights, and crystal chandeliers were substituted by energy-efficient options. A key feature in the palace are the walls carved with terracotta flowers. Gold leafing, miniature paintings and beautiful murals were restored in the old antique shops of Kolkata to replicate the character of the original estate. Heritage First Since the Belgadia Palace renovation, the firm has worked on many heritage properties. Bihani is set to unveil a bar at the iconic Royal Calcutta Golf Club. It is one of the oldest golf clubs in India as well as one of the finest in Asia. While working on the project, Bihani noticed fabulous arches which overlooked the golf course. However, the windows were only sill height, i.e., starting from about 3 feet from the floor. Wanting to make them floor to window, Bihani had to get approval of the Calcutta Heritage Committee, and when the committee members eventually came to take stock of the final product, they appreciated the imperial effect that came with the arches touching the floor. Other heritage projects included two office spaces; one of these is in the Dalhousie area of Calcutta, an old-world locale, populated by Colonial-era structures. Bihani loves working on heritage properties; she is “intoxicated” by the stories the sites tell. As she puts it: “I love the conversation that the site has with you, it is something intangible, but it always tells me where I need to start.” Reviving Memories Bihani concludes our chat with a laugh saying, “I have recollected moments that I had almost erased from my memory, so thanks for that.” While working on the royal property, Bihani reminisces about the small things that she remembers—lunch would be served using fresh produce sourced from the garden, and the crew looked forward to each carefully prepared dish. Calcutta is known for its paan, and Pooja would always pack an extra one for her journey back home. What made this particular project so special to her was that it was Spaces & Design’s first heritage site. “It was a milestone project for the organisation and for me as a designer as well,” she says. 20| L U X E B O O K | S E P T E MB E R 2 0 2 1 S E P T E MB E R 2 0 2 1 | L U X E B O O K | 21