Meher from Restore Conservation Services

Restore combines traditional heritage consultancy with innovative solutions and digital immersive technologies to assist in the preservation, conservation and adaptation of cultural and built heritage. We sat down with Founder Meher Bahl - an architecture and conservation specialist - to discuss the importance of Restore's work and the future of heritage preservation.

Can you tell us about your background and where you grew up? What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture, how did you transition into a conservation specialist, and what ultimately led you to start your own practice?  

I grew up in New Delhi, India, a city rich in culture and history where centuries-old structures seamlessly coexist with the modern urban landscape. From a young age, I was fascinated by buildings and the stories they tell. My earliest foray into architecture came in Year 6, when I volunteered to draw an evacuation plan for our school during a disaster management class—all from memory. That experience solidified my passion for design and set me on a path toward becoming an architect. 

Earning my bachelor’s degree in architecture gave me a solid foundation and an appreciation for design’s many layers. When I moved to Melbourne, my dream was to dive into parametric design and work with cutting-edge architectural firms. But my first job, working with the archives at the University of Melbourne’s architecture library, introduced me to the world of heritage conservation, and it completely reshaped my perspective. 

I discovered a passion for uncovering and strengthening the narratives embedded in heritage structures and making them more accessible. As I took on contract roles, I had the privilege of working on incredible projects alongside pioneers like Miles Lewis, the Association of Preservation Technology, and the Robin Boyd Foundation. These experiences deepened my commitment to conservation, inspiring me to formalise my role and establish Restore Conservation Services. My journey has been an evolution of interests, but at its core is a love for stories—those that buildings tell and those we create while preserving them. 

At Restore, you integrate Heritage Consultancy Services with Digital Immersive Technologies. How does this combination enhance the preservation of cultural and built heritage, and what innovative tools or techniques have you found particularly effective in bridging the past and present through technology?  

At Restore, the integration of Heritage Consultancy Services with Digital Immersive Technologies has been transformative in enhancing the preservation and accessibility of cultural and built heritage. Using advanced tools like 3D LiDAR scanning and photogrammetry, we meticulously document and analyse heritage sites and collections with unparalleled accuracy, creating digital twins that preserve every detail. These digital models serve as vital baselines for conservation efforts, enabling precise point-in-time comparisons that guide restoration while safeguarding historical integrity. 

Beyond preservation, these technologies allow us to make heritage accessible to wider audiences through virtual tours, interactive exhibits, and digital showcases. Many collections, often hidden away in storage, are given new life by being transformed into engaging digital experiences. This approach bridges the past and present, offering people an opportunity to explore heritage spaces in their authentic form, no matter where they are. 

What sets Restore apart is our ability to not only use these technologies but understand the structure or collection that requires digital preservation and interpretation. With my background in architecture, I proud myself in crafting solutions blending innovation with creativity to ensure that heritage not only endures but also thrives in a digitally connected world, advancing research and fostering deeper connections to history. 

Preserving the stories, architecture, and artifacts that define our history and identity is crucial to your practice. What methods does Restore imply for assessing and preserving historical structures while ensuring their integrity and authenticity  

At Restore, preserving the stories, architecture, and artifacts that define our history and identity begins with meticulous historical research and comprehensive on-site assessments. We delve into the architectural evolution of each structure, studying its context and original intent to develop preservation strategies that honour its authenticity. Our work aligns with the principles of the Burra Charter (Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance, 2013), ensuring that our approach is grounded in recognised best practices for heritage conservation. Every conservation specialist’s mantra “changing as much as necessary but as little as possible” 

We also incorporate advanced technologies to document and assess the condition of every element, enabling a precise understanding of what remains original, what has been restored, and what has been added over time. This combination of archival research, non-invasive techniques, and continuous maintenance ensures that we uphold the structure’s integrity while preserving its historical significance. 

At Restore, we understand that heritage conservation can sometimes be perceived as daunting or restrictive. That’s why our vision extends beyond mere preservation—we strive to make heritage adaptable. The most sustainable building is the one that already exists. 

How does your focus on digitisation and curation aim to make heritage more accessible?  

At Restore, everything we do revolves around making heritage more accessible and breaking down the barriers that sometimes make it feel exclusive or intimidating. Digitisation is a game-changer—it opens up heritage to a global audience, giving people who might never get the chance to visit in person a way to connect with cultural landmarks and historical artifacts. 

Take the Miles Lewis Heritage Building Project, for example. It’s a teaching tool we helped develop for the University of Melbourne, available online for anyone to explore. Projects like this turn heritage into something interactive and engaging, not just for historians and educators but for the public too. It’s about making heritage feel relevant and exciting while fostering a deeper appreciation for it. 

Preservation is just as important as accessibility. Digitisation lets us capture heritage structures in incredible detail, which is especially crucial for those at risk from things like extreme weather, development, or conflict. These digital records ensure that every story and architectural detail is safeguarded for future generations. They also become essential tools for restoration and ongoing care, giving us a way to manage these assets thoughtfully and sustainably. 

What are some common challenges faced in heritage conservation, and how does Restore address them? Can you provide an example of a challenge that required creative problem-solving?  

Heritage conservation isn’t without its challenges. From environmental factors and urban development pressures to low funding and the misconception that heritage is more of a hindrance than an opportunity, there’s always something to navigate. At Restore, we approach these with a multi-faceted approach of creativity, objective thinking, research, and the latest technology. 

Most of the times the challenge lies in finding the balance between preserving history and adapting it for modern use. I remember one project with a significant modern addition to a large building came with its set of challenges to ensure the new extension does not over power and negatively impact the significance of the structure. Working closely with the architects and focusing on the building’s story, we found creative wats to balance the old with the new. 

Another big challenge is getting people engaged. Heritage can sometimes feel distant or even irrelevant to people’s everyday lives. That’s why we’re big on creating digital experiences. It’s amazing to see how this transforms public perception—suddenly, heritage becomes something relatable, exciting, and worth preserving. 

How do you see the role of technology evolving in the field of heritage conservation over the next five years? What emerging trends do you believe will shape the future of conservation?  

Technology is evolving rapidly, as we all are aware, with governing bodies within the heritage field developing standards for digital twins, in the next 5 years these will be a necessary tool to record all types of structures rather than being optional. We have successfully transitioned from a 2d to a 3d environment (much later than the AEC industry in general), we are well on our path to include other dimensionalities. 

At Restore we are currently developing the next steps with our digital twins to enhance condition assessments. Stay tuned! 

What do you find most rewarding about your work at Restore, and are there any exciting upcoming projects you’d like to share with us? 

What I find most rewarding about my work at Restore is the sense of contributing to a larger legacy—something that goes beyond our generation. Every project we take on, whether it’s breathing new life into stereoscopic slides, helping reimagine historical Australia in 3D, or giving heritage advice for adapting structures, is part of this ongoing story. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that our work adds another layer to the narrative of these places and objects 

Another rewarding aspect is the sheer variety of what we do. One day might involve assessing a remote postal collection, the next, we’re crafting strategies for adaptive reuse or collaborating on ways to digitally reconstruct heritage sites. There’s never a dull day at Restore, and that variety keeps the work dynamic and engaging. 

Above all, what makes this work truly special is the people. Collaborating with like-minded individuals—clients, colleagues, and communities—who share a passion for preserving heritage is deeply inspiring. 

I’m excited to share that Restore now has a licensed drone operator as part of Restore! With this capability, we can capture detailed aerial documentation of heritage sites, including those that are challenging to access or span vast areas. This opens up incredible opportunities for us to take on large-scale digitisation projects and expand the reach of Restore, which we are keenly looking forward to. 

If you are interested in learning more about Restore Conservation Services, you can head to their CO-architecture pro-business profile to learn more about their practice and take a look at exciting projects like Walhalla Old Post Office.