Architects Anjali and Kiran Kalamdani graduated from the BKPS College of Architecture in Pune in 1985 and later earned their Master of Architecture in Urban Design from the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi. After working for a year in Delhi, they travelled to England, where Kiran completed his Master of Arts in Conservation Studies at the University of York, while Anjali worked as an architect for the York City Council. They founded their practice in Pune - Kimaya’ - specializing in Architecture, Urban Design, Conservation, and Interior Design, and have completed over 200 notable projects. Here, we explore their important work in preserving the wadas of Pune and the relevance of traditional architecture today.

Pune is a city rich in culture and history, which continues to thrive despite its rapid urbanization and expanding IT sector. As Pune evolved into a major IT hub, the importance of preserving its unique architectural heritage became increasingly evident. This vision was realized by "Kimaya," which was founded in 1989 by architects Anjali and Kiran Kalamdani when Anjali returned to India.

It all started when two people with a shared vision met, determined to make a meaningful change in society. The name ‘Kimaya’ beautifully encapsulated their goal, derived from the ancient technique of distilling gold from metals. This metaphor inspired them to evaluate and extract the gold of the nation – its heritage – from the developing industrial landscape.

For Kimaya, conservation transcends mere preservation of structural elements from the past; it embodies the commitment to safeguard living archives for the future, forming the very foundation of what lies ahead. They believe that the places they conserve represent more than just monumental relics; they strive to transform these sites into interactive spaces where the public can engage with their surroundings and understand history through the lens of the present.

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