Framing Empire in Brick and Stone: Comparative Analysis of British Colonial Architecture and Its Regional Adaptations

ABSTRACT: British colonial architecture in India, once a symbol of empire and power, today finds itself at a crossroads between neglect and reinterpretation. This paper examines how three historically significant buildings—each with distinct colonial origins and contemporary avatars—have undergone sensitive transformation through adaptive reuse. By examining the industrial heritage of IF.BE, the civic symbolism of CSMVS, and the commercial legacy of the Great Eastern Hotel, this study demonstrates how restoration can be an act of resistance, revival, and relevance. The analysis not only focuses on material techniques and spatial interventions but also interrogates the philosophical, cultural, and socio-political layers that inform each project. KEYWORDS Colonial Architecture, Heritage Restoration, IF.BE, CSMVS, Great Eastern Hotel, Cultural Continuity, Postcolonial Space, Urban Conservation, Architectural Transformation, British India, Historic Preservation