How Raj Vilas, a century-old Mysuru bungalow, embraced modern living

Raj Vilas has a story to tell. Mysuru’s century-old bungalow offers a compelling template for reinventing heritage homes without turning them into museums.

Its approach is neither to freeze an old house in time nor to erase it in the name of modern living. The restoration retains the bungalow’s architectural character, preserving its original materials, proportions and craftsmanship while adding functional spaces for contemporary living.

The bungalow was built in the kingdom of Mysore between 1900 and 1910; and was acquired in 1992 by Raja Chandra, father of Aditya Guru Dev and Samyukta Lakshmi and husband of Indirakshi Devi, the fourth daughter of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar.

Raj Vilas was acquired in 1992 by Raja Chandra. | Photo Credit: Sameer Raichur

The bungalow was named Raj Vilas after Raja Chandra, while also playing on the word ‘Raj’, evoking the days of the British Raj.