Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior | A Luxury Palace for the Royalty

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Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior | French Design Awards

Grace Returns Without Losing Weight

Bobby Mukherji Architects deliver a compelling revival of the Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior - blending reverence for history with thoughtful modernisation. Originally constructed to host the Scindia royal family’s dignitaries, the palace now operates under the Taj’s palace collection.

The architects approached the project through deliberate inquiry into the site's original character, supported by an expert command of regional building traditions. The result is a setting that reflects historical continuity through present-day refinement.

To revive the building’s finer features, craftsmen trained in heritage techniques were brought in to reintroduce lost elements using hand-cut stone and brass castings grounded in regional practice. Floral arches, jharokhas, and carved cornices emerge with renewed definition, no longer obscured by wear. Traces of Art Deco surface in layered geometries, reflective mirrorwork, and lighting fixtures drawn from the period, reinforcing the setting’s ambience without disturbing its balance. Every gesture remains intentional, preserving authenticity in both detail and spirit.

Public spaces reflect both composure and ceremony. The ballroom’s mosaic floor draws on Maratha geometry while restored crystal chandeliers provide luminosity without excess and carry their own character. The Maratha Suite leans into quiet formality with hand-finished stone floors and minimal ornament.

The suite employs vivid colour blocks and layered fabrics, while the Presidential Suite uses curated artworks, carved timber accents, and front-facing windows to root the guest in place. Each space is connected through continuity in scale, material restraint, and clarity of intent.

Platinum recognition at the 2025 French Design Awards went to this interior for its delicate approach to preservation. Instead of layering over the past, it worked alongside it. From shadow to silhouette, every element supports the building’s existing rhythm while introducing a renewed clarity.