MAIA Design Studio Restores 120-Year-Old Raj Vilas Bungalow in Mysore

Raj Vilas Restoration Focuses on Regional Design

The Raj Vilas, a 120-year-old bungalow located in Mysore, India, has undergone a comprehensive restoration project led by MAIA Design Studio. Designer Shruti Jaipuria developed interior color palettes inspired by local bird species, such as the soft ochre of a yellow-throated bulbul and the blues of an Indian roller.

The project, which commenced in 2019, aimed to authentically represent Mysore's regional architecture, interior design, and local crafts. Initially planned as a four-bedroom boutique accommodation, the property ultimately became a private weekend residence.

Structural Conservation Utilizes Traditional Materials

Conservation architect Sanjog Shetty directed the structural renovation of Raj Vilas. His team addressed deteriorated elements, including rotted rafters beneath the tiled roof and crumbling lime cornices.

The restoration process involved removing later finishes, re-plastering walls with lime mortar, and rebuilding sections of the pitched roof using traditional Mangalore tiles, consistent with the original structure. Additionally, early 20th-century Basel Mission terra-cotta tiles were carefully preserved in select areas throughout the house to maintain its historical character.

Interiors Feature Curated Furnishings and Finishes

The interior design strategy, guided by MAIA Design Studio, emphasized the retention of original features, including the 120-year-old staircase, with new landing railings constructed to match. Flooring throughout the bungalow consists of terra-cotta tiles supplied by Royal Engraved Tiles.

Furniture pieces were sourced from Saanchi, Qurio Furniture, Accurate Antiques, Gulmohar Lane, and Mahendra Doshi, with many items acquired from antique dealers in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Kerala. Lighting fixtures include designs from Hesperus and Prism, complemented by an antique chandelier from Taherallys.

Sourcing Local Craft for Authentic Design

The Raj Vilas project demonstrates a sourcing strategy that integrates regional materials and traditional craftsmanship. Decorative elements, such as Kinnala dolls, were produced by artisans in Koppal, Karnataka, utilizing a 500-year-old woodcraft technique.

Reproduction prints from the Sri Tattva Nidhi, a historical compilation by Krishna Raja Wodeyar III, were framed and displayed throughout the home.

This approach highlights how projects across Asia can source traditional building materials, engage local furniture makers and antique dealers, and incorporate indigenous crafts to achieve distinct, culturally rooted interior designs.