Hospitality
Encased in glass The architecture of this boutique hotel draws on traditional techniques to create a timeless design that appears to have evolved over time in midst of an intimidating landscape
Designed by New Delhi-based firm Architecture Discipline Mana Ranakpur is a hotel located in the Ranakpur province in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Neighbouring the site are the famous ancient Jain temples and a reconstructed haveli. The site covers about four acres and is situated on a reclaimed riverbed. Although it is located in an area noted for its palaces converted into hotels, this design is a shocking contrast to conventional aesthetics and
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yet deeply rooted in the vernacular milieu. The hotel area houses over 50 guest rooms, nine cottages, a multicuisine restaurant, bar, two swimming pools, a conference room, couple of multifunction courts along with a large block with staff quarters for key personnel. “The design of the hotel was a reaction to the milieu of Ranakpur or Rajasthan as a whole wherein you’re either in a traditional building or in a new building that tries to look traditional or are thrown
These pages Breaking away from the conventional, this hotel designed by Architecture Discipline, is a dialogue between vernacular techniques and materials, such as steel and glass. The sloping roof reaches right down to the ground and is designed as a single form giving privacy to the residents and yet opens up the space to the landscape and sky.
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Left The reception area with its uneven ceiling exhibits innovative use of industrial materials like glass and aluminium.
into a concrete box. We felt the place was just right to start a new dialogue between the construction tradition of Udaipur and current, more demanding building programmes,� says principal architect Akshat Bhatt. Thus, the architects wanted to create a structure that was indigenous but also environmentally conscious, progressive, and engaging. To achieve this effect, they synthesised a variety of factors - the palatial aura, modern and locally sourced materials, an unconventional structural form, and the surrounding landscape. The entire hotel is an experience, thus making the space itself a significant part of the memories that guests take away from there. “The plan is derived from the time honoured 9x9 grid, which gives the space normalcy while deviations in the pattern are used to break the order. Along the north-south axis of the grid is a 1.8 m wide sliver fashioned for pedestrian movement. Settlements happen along these linear walls, providing straight views to the outside,� says Bhatt. The epicenter of the space is a large tree towards, which views and movement are oriented. This is remnant of the customary village tree as the centre of a communal space. The material palette draws on regional archetypes therefore stone masonry and sandstone floors have been adopted. Most materials were locally sourced to reduce transportation and more Projects at trendsideas.com
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Left The architect has drawn on the traditional Rajasthani jaalis and given the industrial mesh a contemporary finish.
environmental strain. Hand cut stone from nearby quarries was used to build a coursed masonry wall that is the running thread in the entire design. “Structural steel has been used as it is a long life span material, reducing dead load and thereby overall material consumption. The concrete consumption is insignificant for a building of this type and size. The materials were dictated by a construction technique and design intent of using materials and techniques that are reminiscent of local architecture but within a modern context,� says Bhatt. Thus, locally mined stone is juxtaposed with modern, lighter materials, such as steel, grey aluminum, and frit printed glass. The core theme of contrasts is seen not only in the materials but also in the form of the design. Dominated by a large sloping roof in a region where domes reach for the sky, the design is unsettling at first. However, the structure aims for the same purpose - opening itself up to the sky. Underneath this sloping roof is a splash pool over which the architect has engineered a retractable fabric membrane so that this space can be used during the rains. Like the ancient palaces, the hotel is equipped with a self-sustaining system of Earth cooling, thermal storage, and displacement ventilation to reduce energy consumption. “Both air and water circulate in distinct open loops and the air is exhausted from in between more Projects at trendsideas.com
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These pages The locally sourced Kashia stone is the signature mark of this design. It has been used to create a light but strong spanning system along with steel trusses to make the structural slabs. The stone provides the rustic element and the solidity of a fort, but is light and subtle. The cottage blocks follow the same aesthetic while the linear staircases bring out this effect.
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the dry sandwiched roof. Towers emerge from the ground to transfer fresh air to the interiors and are an architectural expression evocative of traditional forts,� says Bhatt. Controlling the atmosphere of the interiors is paramount as the space is a hotel catering to the comfort of guests. In keeping with this, the bedrooms are warm and spacious. This design of contrasts is appropriately set in a landscape of extremes. The idyllic location in a forested valley experiences the entire spectrum of nature, from
bare hills to lush greenery to trees in full bloom. Like the luxurious structure and innovative form, the kaleidoscopic landscape contributes to the experience. Different seasons induce different experiences in the same space. “It is a bit like the theory of modes in music, the building is static but our perception of the building changes as the landscape changes,� says Bhatt. The play of natural light has also been factored into the design adding another contrast - that of light and shade. Light from the west is drawn to
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lend colour to the space at sunset and from the south to provide mellow daylight. The use of artificial light is almost eliminated during the daytime. “Through the day, sunlight enters spaces from different, planned apertures and changes the feel and rendering of the space. Night lighting resonates that of an art gallery. The landscape lighting is uncluttered and lit with borrowed light from the cottages and hotel buildings,” says Bhatt. The restaurant is one of the key areas of the property. The sloping roof expresses three-dimensional direct views whilst the wall remains timeless,
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as other edifices take support in the wall through temporary interventions that enable an architectural dialogue between form and technique. Designed as an ode to 70s Indian modernism, the furniture is solid wood with teak rosewood dowels for joinery. Bhatt adds, “We have used no nails, bolts or screws and have tried to make the furniture as lean as possible to release space both in areas and volume. The accessories and artefacts are produced by local artisans or non-government organizations and it was a conscious effort to engage the community as this is the largest hotel in the region.”
These pages The furniture is a tribute to the Indian modernism of the 1970s. The solid and minimal furniture is made from rosewood and rubberwood and reflects the hotel’s environmental concerns. An attempt to blend the local craft and culture is apparent in the rooms where furniture sourced from indigenous craftsmen is used.
Legend for the plan 1 guard room, 2 drop off, 3 water body, 4 entrance, 5 hotel block reception, 6 conference hall, 7 court, 8 service court, 9 court, 10 badh court, 11 cottages, 12 activity court, 13 spa, 14 swimming pool, 15 parking, 16 driver’s dorm, 17 service block, 18 service yard
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home & design trends vol 2 no 2 2014
home & design trends vol 2 no 2 2014
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Facing page Unlike mainstream hotels, some bedrooms also look out into the public spaces providing a modern interpretation of the traditional jharokha. The bathrooms also provide glimpses of the stone theme, which is a constant in all the spaces. Right A linear staircase is wrapped onto the exterior facade, inviting guests to come and explore the space. (Photograph by Akshat Bhatt) Below right The roof is covered in some places in glass or mesh and exposes the bare framework of the hotel. Its form is layered with various materials to create an engaging structure that seems to unravel itself and also changes the way the sky is experienced from within. The layering of the roof is also a strategy to control the temperature system and ventilation in the space.
Location Ranakpur, Udaipur, Rajasthan Owners Sheevam Comfort Hotels Pvt. Ltd. Builder & interior designer Akshat Bhatt; Architecture Discipline Plumbing Deepak Kumar; Deepak Kumar & Associates Electrical Linus Lopez; Lirio Lopez Lighting Rahul Singh, Akshat Bhatt Furniture Ahuja Furnishers Pvt. Ltd.
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Story by Namrata Shah Photography by Ravi Kanade Share this story online at Trendsideas.com/go/44203
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