Basics Architects embarked on a journey to resurrect the opulent splendor of Mayo College’s diverse boarding houses, breathing new life into their timeless beauty through meticulous restoration and conservation efforts.

These houses are all heritage structures with some of them dating back to the 19th century. Due to various shifting patterns in usage and ageing, the houses were in a dilapidated state and required expert interventions. The buildings also needed to be modernised based on the current requirement of the school without altering the heritage character of the building.

Big visions with better visuals

Basics Architects was involved for over 8 years during which eight houses were renovated. The Firm was also involved in designing of various new buildings and infrastructure development for more than 300 acres of campus area.

Reviving the past

Local craftsmen with their age-old skills were employed in conserving and restoring the buildings. Intricate attention was given to the stonework. All instances of metal jalis were removed and were replaced by stone jalis. A careful restoration of the outer facade has been done so as to restore the original.

Legacy for life

Every outer façade underwent careful restoration, a process that aimed to recapture the original glory and grandeur of these marvels. This was no ordinary feat; it demanded a meticulous blend of planning, expert management, and seamless coordination to breathe life back into these structures, ensuring that their legacy remains intact for generations to come.

Fact file:

Name of the project: Mayo College
Location: Ajmer, Rajasthan
Type: Conservation Architecture
Design firm: BASICS Architects
Lead designers: Ranju Singhi, Vinod Singhi

About the design firm:

Founded in 2004 by Vinod and Ranju Singhi, BASICS Architects specialize in providing solutions for commercial, educational, hospitality, and residential segments. Driven by the mission “Designs That Deliver,” the brand has successfully completed over 100 projects in 28 cities across India, the UK, the UAE, and Canada. BASICS practices Nature-Integrated Design, which is a holistic approach to design aimed at ensuring the health and wellbeing of end-users while minimizing the impact of buildings and developments on the environment.