Page 127 - HUDCO DESIGN AWARDS 2023-24

Restored and upgraded interior of the library main reading hall
VICTORIAN GOTHIC INTERIORS

The interior of the library and administrative spaces was also revisited and upgraded to compliment the Victoria Gothic exterior.
The conservation architects were also able to establish that the past interventions of the 1960s was also the time when most
of the shelving units seemed to have been redesigned, as the other Victorian furniture original to the building’s construction
did not match the style and period of the book shelves in the reading room which were definitely mid-century in their design.
Thus, whilst the historic Victorian Minton tiles and Victorian wooden tables, chairs and other furniture was restored as found,
the shelving needed to be designed as per the Victorian Gothic interior. The mid-century book shelves were replaced with
shelving more appropriate to the Victorian design, basing the design of the shelving on the design of the window shutters seen
elsewhere through out the library. The remaining historic furniture was carefully hand polished and placed in position.

The original building was lit with gas lights, and then electrical lighting was introduced in the 20th century. The gas pipes have
been carefully retained. All the original wrought iron railings, fretwork, louvered window shutters, doors, flooring and Victorian
carvings have been carefully restored and preserved.

RESTORATION OF DAVID SASSOON LIBRARY AND READING ROOM, MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA

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