HERITAGE RECLAIMED

By restoring a derelict colonial space in Colaba, SJK Architects redefines what a contemporary studio can be – rooted in history, built for a hybrid future

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Tucked away in a storied colonial-era building in Mumbai's Colaba, the new office of SJK Architects is anything but conventional. Overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India, this revived 19th-century relic has been transformed into a hybrid workspace that blends history, craft, and contemporary functionality. Once dark, boarded up, and neglected, the space is now a luminous studio designed not just to accommodate the firm's evolving work culture, but to honour its deep connection to the city's cultural and architectural legacy.

During the pandemic, the architects made a conscious decision to adapt to a hybrid work model, which allowed them to consider moving to a smaller but more meaningful space. They wanted to work in a place they loved visiting, even if just a few times a week. Between late 2020 and early 2021, the partners explored several spaces, and in September 2020, came across this colonial building. When they found this space, it was in a state of disrepair. The original 14-foot ceilings were hidden by a false ceiling at a height of seven feet, the windows were boarded up, and the balcony was completely closed off. It was almost unrecognisable in its neglected state.

However, knowing the potential of the space from their familiarity with the gallery on the immediate upper floor, the architects were determined to restore it. The journey wasn't easy; the space required significant effort to bring it back to life. But the result has been deeply rewarding, giving the team a studio that is not just a workplace but an ode to the architecture and the vibrant locale we love.