Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum reopens to the public after a two-year restoration led by architect Vikas Dilawari

After a two-year-long restoration, the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Byculla, Mumbai has reopened its doors to the public. The museum, originally opened in 1872 as the Victoria & Albert Museum, has long been a significant part of the city’s cultural landscape. Recently, it underwent extensive repairs and refurbishments, guided by the expertise of architect Vikas Dilawari, who served as the Consulting Conservation Architect for the project. This Republic Day, in a conversation with Vikas, we explore the story behind the museum’s restoration, the challenges faced, and the key aspects preserved throughout the process.

Vika’s connection with the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum dates back to the early 2000s when he first became involved in its renovation. His team worked on the museum’s restoration between 2003 and 2008, but the most recent restoration project—started in 2023 and completed in 2025—had its own unique challenges.

“This time, we had a clear understanding of the solutions needed, thanks to the groundwork done in the previous phase,” Vikas explains. “However, there were new challenges, especially due to the pandemic, which caused long closures and maintenance disruptions.”

The impact of the pandemic on the museum was significant. “During the shutdown, the museum suffered from water leakage, termite infestation, and general deterioration,” he shares. “Our primary goal was to address these issues while maintaining the building’s historical accuracy.”

Navigating complexities

The restoration process addressed three main components: the roof and terrace, the external facades, and the interiors. Each area required attention to detail, particularly in preserving the museum’s historical identity. “While we knew the general approach, the pandemic meant we had to work around additional problems like pest damage and structural concerns,” says Vikas. “We had to treat the building for termites and replace several damaged sections of wood to ensure the museum’s longevity.”

One of the challenges involved the building’s ventilation. While it would have been ideal to keep windows open for airflow and to prevent further damage, security concerns prevented this. As a result, the restoration team had to carefully balance both the building’s preservation and its functional needs.

Archival discoveries

The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum is renowned for its Victorian architecture, and ensuring the restoration maintained historical authenticity was a top priority. Vikas’ team relied on extensive archival research and documentation to guide the restoration process.

“We conducted research on museums in England with similar architectural styles and vintage. This helped us understand the original gold gilding, ornamental designs, and color palettes used in the museum,” Vikas explains. “Many details were carefully documented, making it easier to preserve them accurately.”

During the restoration, the team made a surprising discovery—traces of gold gilding beneath layers of paint. “When we stripped the paint off, we found remnants of gold, which allowed us to restore the gilding to its original brilliance,” Vikas shares. “It was an exciting find and an important part of restoring the building’s original look.”

Another fascinating discovery involved the museum’s facades. The south and west facades are made from Porbandar stone, while the north and east facades are constructed from lime plaster. This difference was due to funding shortages at the time of construction. “The museum’s construction was affected by external factors, like the decline in donations and shipping delays. These challenges led to the use of lime plaster as a cost-effective alternative to stone,” says Vikas.

Lessons from the past

Vikas’ earlier involvement in the museum’s restoration provided valuable lessons that informed the most recent project. “Having worked on the previous restoration, we already had a clear roadmap for addressing structural issues and restoring key features,” he says. “The experience from that first phase gave us the confidence to tackle this project more effectively.”

Although the team was familiar with the process, the current restoration was larger in scope. As a project led by the Heritage Cell of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), it involved working within formal procedures, which at times caused bureaucratic delays. Despite these challenges, the lessons learned from the first restoration phase proved invaluable.

Lighting design played a crucial role in the museum’s restoration. “We had to integrate modern lighting technology while preserving the building’s historical feel,” Vikas says. Tasneem Mehta, who was responsible for the lighting design, created a system that highlighted both the exhibits and the architectural details, ensuring that the lighting complemented the historical ambiance of the museum.

For Vikas, the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum holds a special place in his career. “This restoration is particularly meaningful to me because it was the first time I worked on a heritage project in such a comprehensive way,” he explains. “We were able to restore everything from the exteriors to the interiors, setting a new benchmark for conservation in Mumbai.”

The restoration earned the museum a UNESCO Award of Excellence, further cementing its status as an iconic heritage site.

As a conservation architect, Vikas is passionate about the role of architecture in preserving cultural heritage. “If a building’s architecture is worthy of being part of today’s heritage, it should be preserved,” he asserts. “This museum is a perfect example of how architecture can bridge the past with the present, enriching our cultural identity.”

Through the expertise of Vikas Dilawari and his team, the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum has been restored to its former glory, ensuring that its history will continue to be a part of Mumbai’s cultural landscape for years to come.

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