Raj Vilas by Shreya Mehta

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Design brief

The region of Kutch in Gujarat, India, has a long history. Right from the Indus Valley civilization, to the Nagas, Alexander the Great, the Jadejas, the Gujarat sultanate and the British, all of them have left a definitive mark on the culture here in a span of 4000 years. In fact, the region shows a blend of these cultures along with its own unique style. This semi- arid area starkly contrasts its monochrome landscape with its colorful textiles and architecture. These forms of art are practiced by the local communities, many of which are nomadic. The assimilation of the Kutch to the state of Gujarat in 1947 has given further exposure to these works, albeit a lot of the original craftsmen are drifting to the urban areas in search of better means of employment. The gateway to this vast and secluded region is Bhuj. The city itself has been the capital for the various ruling powers, and remains one of the most important cities of region. Its proximity to other cities like Ahmedabad as well as to the tourism sites like Dholavira and The Rann, make it an ideal choice for a resort. Coupled with this factor is also the layered history of Bhuj itself. By making the resort in Bhuj, one also is not disturbing the eco-system of the Rann itself, but there is still access to the various parts of it. In recent years, the state of Gujarat has sought to expand its tourism industry. Besides mainland Saurashtra cities like Ahmedabad, Baroda and Palitana, the region of Kutch has been in focus for the development of tourism. It is still at very infantile stages, with the only dedicated efforts made by the government being the state sponsored Rann Maho Utsav held annually in Bhuj. Despite the lack of proper infrastructure and regulations, the Kutch still has its own admirers who flock to see its beauty. The increased interest in the area signals a huge rise in the tourism. Other areas which have had a boom in tourism have not been able manage the various responsibilities and consequences which come with such increase in requirements and population. Often, these areas have seen the deterioration of local resources, both natural and man-made. In this way Bhuj and the Kutch offer an opportunity to rectify the mistakes made by other tourism industries and to create a unique brand which couples local arts and crafts with eco-tourism.

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CASE STUDY Neemrana fort resort indeco resorts

neemrana fort hotel- jaipur, rajasthan

CASE STUDY

Built in 1464, Neemrana Fort Palace became the third capital of the descendants of Prithviraj Chauhan III, who had fled Delhi in 1192 after he was vanquished in battle by Muhammad Ghori. Neemrana’s rulers, proud of lineage, continued to assert themselves, even under the British, as their kingdom suffered. Eventually, Raja Rajinder Singh of Neemrana moved away to Vijay Bagh and the Fort-Palace crumbled and its ramparts began to give way. For forty years he tried to rid himself of his liability but there were no takers. Finally, in 1986, the ruins were acquired for restoration. What was once designed to keep people out has been redesigned to welcome guests and Neemrana Fort-Palace opened as a heritage property in 1991. Ever since , the architect Aman Naath has worked towards creating a sustainable ‘non-hotel’.They employ the people from that place.As he shared in an interview “We grow our own vegetables. We provide these local people with seeds to grow broccoli which they don’t eat but can be utilised by us. We just do it by heart.”

http://www.unusualhotelsoftheworld.com/NeemranaFortPalace https://yourstory.com/2015/05/photo-heritage-entrepreneurship-neemrana-fort-palace-rajasthan/ https://www.zingyhomes.com/thought-leaders/aman-nath/

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CASE STUDY

neemrana fort hotel- jaipur, rajasthan Locations

Seating area next to one of the pools

The locations of the hotel offers picturesque views of the Neemrana town below, and the original designer used this to their advantage, so much so that even the loos have good views! Attention to detail

Duct (above) and Drain (below) detail

Another important aspect of this hotel is the attention to detail. From the facades to the tineist drain, every single element contributes in creating an illusion of the past grandeur.

Use of local resources

An intricately carved wooden window

The hotel extensively uses local resources, including local materials (like wood and sandstone), finishes as well as manpower. This keeps the overall cost of maintaining the place, minimal. Blending of different eras

A ventilator in one of the rooms.

Only a part of the fort is actually from the 15th century. The remaining area was developed much later. but the two areas are blended so well that it is very difficult to tell them apart. HOME AS AN IDEA SHREYA MEHTA PSD LVL 3

indeco hotels- swamimalai, tamil nadu

CASE STUDY

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Imbibed With Love For Life And Delight For Nature, Rural India Enthralls Me. The Wisdom, Adventure And Romance Contained In Them Are A Part Of The Life, Thought And Behaviour Of Every Indian Even Today. Here, Every Feeling Finds Experience. I Have Lost My Heart, Mind & Soul To Rural India.â&#x20AC;?- Steve Borgia About the place: The town, Swamimalai, was the epicentre of the lost-wax metal casting trade, an art preserved for over 4,500 years by craftsmen who claim descent from the emissary of Lord Brahma. The banks of the river Cauvery yielded clay so fine that the Sthapathys settled here in an era of great temple architecture. About the maker: When he returned to India in 1992 after leaving his job in the UN, Steve Borgia only wanted to do something constructive to improve the might of the rural India. He was moved by the growing urban-rural divide in his country, and realized the folly of making policies for India sitting in the UN headquarters in New York without understanding the culture, heritage of India. He decided to settle in a rural area on his return and do something constructive and just.

http://www.indecohotels.com/swamimalai.html http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Trapped+in+silence+in+Swamimalai/1/63292.html http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/A-Day-in-the-Life-of/steve-borgia-cmd-creatormentordeveloper-indecoleisure-hotels-25997

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CASE STUDY

indeco hotels- swamimalai, tamil nadu Eco- Tourism

Collection of local history

Borgia built hotels by harnessing the talent and materials available around him and without harming the natural environment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For every room I build, I add a cow into my dairy farm. Half of the milk is distributed to village women who have new born baby. Every year, I plant a fruit bearing tree and medicinal plant in every household in the village,â&#x20AC;? he says. The INDeco Hotel he passionately created and nurtured in Kumbakonam is the only Global Eco Tourism Award winning property in India.

The premises house a museum which extensively document the history of the surrounding village along with numerous day-to-day objects. The buildings themselves become a part of the collective narrative.

Restoration Work

INDeco has undertaken massive restoration work. The nearby village huts, temple grounds and temple tanks restores, the crowning jewel of this project remains The Mint Palace. 42 lorries, 120 conservation student volunteers, 40 craft masons, 30 labour persons and about 35 days of labour did the job. A multitude of men, a couple of crores of rupees and a few persuasive minds doubled with tons of passion and pride has reincarnated the Mint Palace in the estates of INDeco at Swamimalai.

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culture and history of bhuj

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geography

bhuj, gujarat, india

Location: Bhuj is located in the Kutch District, the Land of Mystery, in the north-west part of India. The total area covered by Kutch District is more than even some of the Indian States. The location of Bhuj is strategic as it is having hills on its eastern side and a huge lake Hamirsar on the other side. The city has derived its name from this hill named â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bhujiyo Dungarâ&#x20AC;? which also houses a fort on its top. This fort, Bhujia Fort, separates Madhapar Town and Bhuj City. Originally Bhuj City was surrounded by Bhujia Fort that had 5 major gates and a single small gate called Chathi Bari. Due to development and lots of constructions being done in the city, most part of the wall got destroyed. The wall was also destroyed due to 2001 earthquake. Height : 110 m Latitude: 23. 27 N Longitude: 60. 67 E Average Temperature : 22 - 40 C Rainfall: 220 mm Water Bodies : Within the boundary of Bhuj City, there are 30 lakes and the most important is the Hamirsar Lake. Hamirsar Lake is the largest manmade lake located in the central part of Bhuj City. It was built about 450 years ago. It was like an oasis in the arid area of the district. Over the years, many tunnels and canals were developed by the local rulers and water from three different river systems used to get accumulated here to fulfill the water requirement of entire Bhuj. The lake also had recharge aquifers.

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brief history

640

Indus Valley Civilization

1320

Early Rajput Clans

http://www.gujarattourism.com/destination/details/9/321 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Kutch#CITEREFGazetteer_of_the_Bombay_Presidency:_ Cutch.2C_Palanpur.2C_and_Mahi_Kantha2015 https://books.google.co.in/books?id=fbUWAQAAMAAJ

The rulers adopt the name ‘Jadeja’.

Bharmal accedes to Mughal emperor Akbar

With support of some Jadeja chiefs, the British troops attacked Bhuj.

1365

1591

1819

Madansinhji, on behalf of his father, signed the Instrument of Accession of Kutch

Kutch joins the newly formed state of Gujurat.

1948

1960

Jadeja Rajputs

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research

Architectural heritage

Aina Mahal

Fuvara Mahal

This beautiful palace, built in 1752, lost its top storey in an earthquake, but the lower floor is open, with a fantastic 15.2m scroll showing a Kutch state procession. The 18th-century elaborately mirrored interior is a demonstration of the fascination with all things European – an inverted mirror of European Orientalism – with blue-andwhite Delphi-style tiling, a candelabra with Venetian-glass shades, and the Harding lithograph series The Rake’s Progress. There are lofty views of Rani Mahal from atop the tower. The palace was built for Maharao Lakhpatji by Ramsingh Malam, a sailor from Dwarka who had learnt European arts and crafts on his travels. In the bedroom is a bed with solid gold legs (the king apparently auctioned his bed annually).

The king also regularly visited the Fuvara Mahal, a room with umpteen fountains that danced in a symphony of their own, while the king watched the dancers perform. The marble walls adorned with gold lace and glass created a dreamy confection.

Durbar Gadh Palace Built in the 18th century by Rao Lakhpatji, Durbar Gadh, Bhuj is a perfect example of an enclosed area of the royal family which exhibited a drastic change in the style of architecture and the layout that resembled those of Europe to a large extent. Darbargadh in Bhuj is a royal enclosure, which was fragmented into a cluster of apartments that were dwelled by the various sections of the royal family. Each cluster was structured around a small courtyard, which thus separated its inhabitants from the outside world. Further, the Durbar Gadh was built in accordance with the houses in the surrounding towns and villages so much so, that even the resources used in building such structures as well as the space occupied by them was almost similar to those of the common man.

https://www.indianholiday.com/tourist-attraction/bhuj/forts-and-monuments-in-bhuj/durbar-gadh.html https://www.wmf.org/project/bhuj-darbargadhvv https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/bhuj/attractions/aina-mahal/a/poi-sig/1154303/356245t http://blog.travelyaari.com/cities/160-the-hitchhiker-s-guide-to-bhuj

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Architectural heritage

Prag Mahal

Rani Mahal

The Maharao’s Chattardis

Raised in the year 1879, the Prag Mahal is a splendid palace made of Italian marble and sandstone. The ornamentation on the body of the structure would definitely leave you spell bound. The Corinthian pillars and Jali work which depicts European plants and animals are also worthy of a mention.

The 17th-century Rani Mahal, the former main royal residence, is completely closed up, though you can still admire the latticed windows of its zenana (women’s quarters). It’s particularly beautiful around sunset.

These umbrella-shaped dome structures stand guard over the royal cenotaphs situated in the centre of the Hamirsar lake. Said to have been constructed sometime in the 18th century by Rao Lakhpat, they are specimens of fine carvings in red sandstone. The exterior walls are heavily ornamented, with sculptures of deities and panels depicting hunting scenes and couples in local costumes. The architecture of these structures shows a strong Islamic influence—it’s evident in the Mughal arches, the geometrical pattern of the jaalis and in the use of turquoise blue on a roof. The chhatri that commemorates Rao Lakhpat’s death is the largest; the depictions in stone suggest that 15 of his consorts gave up their lives at his funeral pyre.

Rao Pragmalji II took up the construction of Prag Mahal in Bhuj, India on 1838 A.D. and continued with it till the year 1876. He assigned the task of designing the building to Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins. Colonel Wilkins was a renowned architect of his time and had gained such reputation by virtue of designing a few of the famous structures

https://www.indianholiday.com/tourist-attraction/bhuj/forts-and-monuments-in-bhuj/prag-mahal.html https://phorenyatra.wordpress.com/2015/12/20/bhuj-town-center-temple-museum-and-palace/ https://jitumisra.com/2013/09/24/affairs-with-death-the-chhatris-of-bhuj-2/

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Architectural heritage

Sharad Baug Place

Kutch Musuem

Sharad Baug Palace, an elegant Italianate palace, was home to Madansingh, the last Maharao of Kutch, until his death in 1991. The third floor came down in the quake, after which the lower floors were also closed. An adjacent former dining hall now showcases the palaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s museum collection, including two huge stuffed tigers that the erstwhile maharao shot. The folk museum has recreated a traditional Kutchi village in the forecourt, and an outstanding collection of beadwork, embroidery, leather articles, woodworks and historical relics.

The oldest museum in Gujarat holds its pride in the fact that it has Kshtrapa inscription as old as 1st Century AD along with some of the extinct Kutchi script and Kori (local Kutch currency). The museum is built in a Gothic architectural style, & has an advantage of being situated on the bank of the lake Hamirsar opposite the Nazar Bagh garden The two storied museum has sections as picture gallery, anthropological section, archaeological section, and one section each for textile, weapons, musical instruments and shipping The attraction of the museum is the 18thcentury beautiful wood work of the elephant called Airavat, the carrier of Lord Indra in Kamgiri style with flowers and creepers.

https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/destinations/gujarat-the-architectural-heritage-of-bhuj/t http://www.krishayyan.com/wandering-around-city-bhuj/ http://www.indiantravellers.co.in/museums-in-kutch/

The Bhujiya Fort The Bhujiya Fort is famous because of its strategic importance and its solid strength. The fort has been guarding Bhuj and the Rann of Kutch since 1700 A.D. The Bhujiya Fort stands atop the Bhujiya Hill and is currently used as an encampment area of the Indian Army. The fort took more than 50 years to be built and has protected the Jadeja warriors from many invasions. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interesting to note the columnar structure of the pillars and double layered walls of the Bhujiya Fort as they reflect some influence of the ancient Greek castle architecture

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culture

People Bhuj boasts itself with different types of communities that include Rabari, Mutwa, Sodha, Muslims, Jats and others. People here are warm and very friendly. Bhuj is very famous for the hospitality of locals and also for the diversity of handicrafts and handlooms. Even now, you will get to see nomadic and semi-nomadic people in Bhuj moving in groups from one place to another. People of Rabari especially the Rabari women have got extensive tattooing done on their arms, legs and necks.

Dance

Food

The traditional dance of Bhuj, Garba, is performed during almost all social and religious functions of Bhuj. Traditionally this dance is performed with a lamp or image of Devi Shakti in the middle. During the festival of Navratri, Garba is performed with an image of Devi Durga or Maa Amba in the middle. Modern forms of Garba have influences of Dandiya Dance, a dance form of Gujarat generally performed by the men. The songs of Garba have main subjects as 9 Goddesses or Lord Krishna. Dancers wear Chanya Choli of bright colors e.g. pink, orange, yellow or red. They put on odhini or head-cover with bandhini style decorated with mirrors or abla. The dancers also put on lots of jewelry items like earrings, necklaces, bangles, and waist belts.

The city of Bhuj is no exception! Local Gujratis in Bhuj prefer having vegetarian food as overall Gujrat tends to have an inclination for Vegan food. However due to popular demand, non vegetarian restaurants have also been established in Bhuj. There are umpteen restaurants in Bhuj where one can savor the local Gujrati delicacies. The infiltration of tourists in Bhuj is lower and this has preserved the authenticity of culture in this city. Some of the traditional food items found in Bhuj are as under: Chana Dal Pakwan Dabeli Lahsooni Aloo and Lahsooni Parantha

http://www.bhujonline.in/city-guide/culture-of-bhuj http://www.ekplate.com/blog/2015/11/11/this-street-food-looks-quite-yummy-even-in-my-imagination/ http://www.4to40.com/wordpress/culture-tradition-of-india/navratri-garba-gujarati-garba-dance-ofnavratri/

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culture- Festivals

Rann Mahotsav In winter season, every year the Rann Utsav or White Rann festival is organized ca lled as Kutch rann utsav which goes on for approximately 3 to 4 months from November to February. This rann utsav is held at kutch is having enormous cultural events, folk dance and many programs which attract tourists to stay at Kutch, Gujarat, India.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Rann_utsav https://www.indianholiday.com/fairs-and-festivals/madhya-pradesh/bhagoria-haat-jhabua.html http://www.kutchsafaribhuj.com/culturalvillage.html

Bhagoria

Ravechi Festival

The Bhagoria Festival is celebrated near the border of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, it marks the onset of the spring season and falls a few days before Holi.Earlier Bhagoria used to also be the annual gathering where old disputes were settled. The name Bhagoria is believed to have originated from the word ‘Bhag’ to run since it is here that partners are allowed to elope.

The Ravechi Fair of Gujarat is held in the month of ‘Bhadra’ according to the Hindu calendar. The Ravechi fair of Gujarat is the perfect place for people from different cultures to unite. People from the communities like Ahir, Rabri and Charan take active part in the Ravechi fair. All devotees perform bhajans, dance garba at temple site.

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culture-handicrafts Bandhej

Embroidery/ mirror work

Ajrakh Block Print

Bandhani is an expression used in Gujrat for textiles where different designs are produced by tying individual parts of the fabric before dyeing. The Gujrati word‘Bandhavun’ is derived from the Sanskrit word for tying ‘Bandhan’. The people engaged in producing designs on fabric as a result of tie-dying technique are known as ‘Bandhej’.

Kachchh is popular for its fine folk embroideries. It is known to make 17 distinct types of embroideries which can be seen in the fabrics in the market. Some of the most recognized embroideries are Soo , Ahir, Rabari, Sodha Rajput and Jat.

Ajrakh block print has patterns depicting complex geometry to form starry constellations in black, White, indigo and madder across lengths of cloth. The patterns are quite similar to the architectural forms of Islamic convoluted jali windows and trefoil arches.

Batik Print

Bela Print

Camel Wool Weaving

Initially Batik prints were made by using hot piloo seed oil in which the blocks were dipped and then pressed onto fabric. Gradually, wax was used in the technical process which actually changed the appearance of the textile, thus making it more affordable and practical.

Bela prints tend to capture one’s attention with its print being graphic and bold. Generally, a vibrant palette of printed colour is made on a plain white background. Bela printing involves more usage of Red and black colours as for their colour fastness.

Camels produce wool of a high quality that is highly durable, water-resistant and very warm. It can be used to make carpets, ropes and textiles, bags, stoles and other products.

http://gaatha.com/ajrak/ http://kutchartesania.blogspot.in/2016/10/batik-print-dress-material.html http://ethnicsofkutch.com/kutchhi-traditional-bela-print-mirror-work-vegetable-dye-jacet

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culture-handicrafts Kharad Weaving

Mashru Weaving

Leather Crafting

Kharad Craft involves use of natural resources like vegetable colours and wool. The wool used is generally a goat or camel hair wool. The Kharad that is made is used for spreading on the floor. They also make Khurjani which is used to keep on the back of a camel to carry heavy items and Rasa which is used to cover grains.

The Mashroo textile was woven mainly for Muslim communities as they believed that silk should not touch a person’s skin. Thus Mashroo textile came into existence by weavers who mixed silk and cotton threads to create a textile that was rich silk on one side and simple cotton on the other. Mashroo means “this is allowed.”

A collaborative outcome of the Maldhari nomads’ tanning expertise and the Meghwal community’s stitching and embroidering skills, the Kutch leather craft is now a means of business and livelihood for many villages in Kutch, Gujarat. The leather craft was traditionally used to make harnesses for camels and horses, musical instruments, storage containers and footwear.

Namda

Rogan Painting

Wood Lacquering

It is made primitively from sheep wool. Namda is made by cleaning and dying the wool after which it is compressed into sheets. The artisans then make intricate and colourful designs which are often embroidered. This craft is used to create saddle blankets for camels and horses and camels.

Rogan Art, an ancient skill with its origins in Persia, came down to Kutch around 400 years ago. Traditionally, the craft was pursued to beautify bridal clothing of the regional tribes, beautiful borders and floral patterns on Ghagras, odhni and bead spreads were painstakingly painted.

This art is practiced by a semi nomadic tribe in Gujarat. Lacquer is obtained from the sap of the Rhus Tree. Lacquer is mixed with natural and artificial dyes to obtain the vibrant colours. Mango Wood is used as the base for making the article which is then embellished with lacquer.

http://lifeisavacation.in/2013/11/17/lacquer-art/ http://www.bhujonline.in/city-guide/khamir-in-bhuj http://engrave.in/blog/art-craft-tour-of-gujarat/

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ideation

rough exploration

ideation

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iteration 1

ideation

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iteration 2

ideation

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final drawings

site plan

site analysis

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master plan

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restaurant and reception plan

detail plan

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reflected ceiling plan

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section aa’

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section bb’

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3d view

final drawing

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3d view

final drawing

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systems of the space

light catalog

systems

Since the space was by the palaces around Bhuj and Kutch, the lighting is heavily derived from the same. The light from the chandeliers is reflected manifold times by the mirrors on the ceiling in each room and corridor. This provides more than enough ambient lighting and reduces the energy consumption greatly. Further, task lighting can be used for individual spaces. The reflection caused by the mirrors is difficult to calculate, hence I have taken an approximation in the amount of light that will be required by the spaces. The energy from the light will be generated from Dual Axis Solar Trackers, placed nearby. Bhuj is an area which is prone to earthquakes, and to ensure least destruction, the roof has to be kept extremely light. Putting the solar trackers would add to the roof weight and therefore, placing it on the ground would be a far better alternative.

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systems Thermal comfort and ventilation Bhuj is a place of extreme climates. A structure built here would need to accommodate the drastic changes in temperature, all the while keeping the inhabitants comfortable. The best approach would be to adapt the traditional construction means, that is, the use of mud for construction and making courtyards the central aspect of the building. The material itself balance the outside and inside temperature, with no additional pressure to the environment, and the rooms are connected to the courtyard, ensuring continuous ventilation throughout. Additional measures have also been added to increase this comfort. The mirrors, running throughout the roof, disperse light as well as heat. This phenomena is extremely crucial in the winters. Similarly, in summer, the coolness is increased in the restaurant by the use of fountains. Thus, the structure is able to adapt to the changing temperatures outside.

Clay Jali Work

Use of mirrors in Aina Mahal, Bhuj

All of the rooms are connected to an open passage or courtyard. Pictured above- Pragmahal, Bhuj

Water harvesting and disposal Despite having a semi- arid climate, owing to its location, Bhuj gets tremendous amount of rainfall, so much so that it floods the city every year. If the water is harvested efficiently, it will greatly reduce the pressure on the neighbouring Rudramata Dam Reservoir. All of the water which falls on the roofs of the building as well as the open courtyard, will be collected and stored in and underground tank. After apporopriate filtering, the water will then be used throughout the premises. The grey water will be collected and sent to the sewage treatment plant on the site, which after purification, will be used for the landscaping. The organic matter left behind can also be used in situ. HOME AS AN IDEA SHREYA MEHTA PSD LVL 3

materials

systems

A plethora have materials have been used in this structure, but all of them have had just two objectives: 1. Making the structure adaptable to fluctuating temperatures. 2. Making the structure safe and steady in case of an earthquake. Most of the materials are found in and around Bhuj. The foundation will be made of concrete, with base isolators. The walls as well as the roof would be made of adobe bricks with a steel framework. The adobe bricks themselves can be made of the mud extracted while building the foundation. The floor is covered by porcelain tiles, manufactured in Kutch itself. The ceiling and the walls which are adorned with mirrors would use the mix of clay and cowdung. The furniture will majorly use wood and Kutchi fabrics. The furniture can actually be repossessed old furniture, which is cleaned and varnished to be used in the space. Kutchi textiles, both printed and woven will be used in the furniture, as curtains and upholstery as well as as art pieces.

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reflective statement

The project has provided me with various avenues to really test and apply all of the knowledge I had gained from my previous courses. Simultaneously, the same knowledge also enabled me to look at this project from a very different perspective. For instance, a recent course about the systems in a structure enabled me to think about the dependency of this project on its external facilities and how one can make a structure independent in terms of its systems, which automatically makes the structure more sustainable as well as efficient. I was able to test a lot of theories that I had encountered in my research before but was not able to find a suitable application for. Bhuj also posed a very unique challenge for me, owing to its affinity for earthquakes. Hence, every decision I made, regarding materials, lighting or energy generation, had to factor in this aspect. I was also able to explore much more into the building of more earthquake proof structure, and my challenge throughout the project has been to combine these technologies with the traditional sensibilities of the place. This has also led to a very exhaustive material study. Bhuj, along with its earthquakes, is also very prone to drastic differences in temperature. So the structure to be built had to be resistant to earthquakes, heat waves as well as floods. Moreover, the structure had to be adaptable to these phenomena in order to ensure the maximum comfort to the inhabitants. Keeping this in mind, the ended up creating a construction technique, which used adobe bricks with a steel framework, thus ensuring the best of both worlds. Lastly, I was also very keen about generating a sustainable and responsive form of tourism. Through my research, I came across more than enough evidence of what goes down when one does not think about the consequences of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decisions. I wanted this project to be an example of what can be achieved when one uses both their foresight and hindsight for designing a space.

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