Eco - Retreat
A TROPICAL EXPERIENCE
OVERVIEW / ABOUT THE PROJECT
The eco resort offers a “tropical experience ” to visitors which makes only a minimal impact on the environment without compromising guests comfort and safety. The design of this resort intends to protect that balance and promote a sustainable development approach. The program has been divided into several integrated volumes creating an equated rhythm of sound (building) and silence (mountain).
The site lies in a region with a lake around, covered with mountains of Shivalik hill. The design responds to the notions of climate and place, and endeavours to engage the local landscape and community. The location provides for a complete hideaway and offers numerous quality views of the surrounding lake and mountains.
Duration - 5 months
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Discipline
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Research
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Planning
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Idea Generation
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Spacial User Experience
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Team Individual
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Tools - AutoCAD, SketchUp , Lumion , Photoshop
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DESIGN PROMPT
How one can create a tropical experience for the visitors without harming the environment dealing with the contours?
SITE RESEARCH
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Location
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Faugli Tikka Phulara Island which is surrounded by the Ranjit Sagar Lake
Open
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The land is divided into Buildable and nonbuildable areas.
Circulations and paths
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Paths are estimated based on the existing contours achieve soil conservation and no cut and fill.
Views
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Views should be considered in deciding the placement of cottages
SITE RESEARCH
Started with site research of the project and the scope ,this helped to align the direction of the project.
SITE CONSIDERATIONS
Access
Buildable
and Non-Buildable area
Surrounding
Visual Connections
USER RESEARCH
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Eco resort is expected to be a tourist destination; therefore, different groups of people are expected to visits the project which has different facilities like accommodation , recreational ,and wellness. The targeted users range between tourists(family, couples, singles ), people seeking peace.
IDEATION
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With a thorough understanding of the design brief and detailed research, I came up with ideas concerning the site to create spaces without harming the environment.
INTEGRATING NATURE WITH BUILD FORM
INSPIRATION
Adapting slope cut and fill technique
Enhancing the waterscape
Void and pattern
HIMALAYAS
WATER
WELLNESS
USER EXPERIENCES
Sight seeing, bird watching, nature walkways, observing the island.
Kayaking, Swimming, Observatory platforms.
Restaurants, Outdoor
activities, Sports.
Meditation ,Yoga practice
Spa wellness
WELLNESS
RECREATIONAL
WATER
LIESURE
SPA
Major area has been landscaped to reduce the urban heat island effect.
External street lamps with photovoltaic sensors
Green roofs reduces the temperature of the roof and the surrounding air.
Boulevard - provide natural shading throughout the pathways
STP Plant according to the slope of the site at the lowest point
The staggered arrangement of resort units avoids wind shading
Flat roof for rainwater harvesting.
Green roofs reduces the temperature of the roof and the surrounding air.
Green roofs reduces the temperature of the roof and the surrounding air.
Spa wellness
RECREATIONAL BLOCK
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The Recreational block is placed at the focal point of the resort which connects other spaces creating a smooth transition from public to private . The major building orientation is toward the North-South direction. Openings were maximized on North-South face to encourage filtered natural light into the building whilst minimizing large openings on west side to reduce heat gain during daytime. Provision of overhanging roof eaves, deep ledges were employed to reduce heat from direct sunlight.
WELLNESS BLOCK
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Being a place for the practice of yoga and meditation, space is neutral and relaxed. Nature and environment act as the main protagonists, integrating interior spaces and landscape. The wellness block consists of a central water body and two core modules articulated by a large corridor along which the meditation rooms, bathrooms and changing areas are organized.
The materials used are concrete, wood, stone and glass; providing a serene, beautiful and austere environment, where light plays a fundamental role. The materials are balanced with each other, since wood gives warmth, concrete solidity, stone connection with the earth and glass reflection of light.
The Entrance
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Access is located at the upper level, visitors and users descend ceremonially by a stone staircase to the lower level.
Yoga Pavillion
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On the upper floor are located the yoga pavilions overlying the thick slab. From these pavilions one have to access to a garden surrounded by vegetation which is used for breaks between yoga sessions.
Meditation rooms
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To create a center in constant contact with nature (the outside). It compromises of wood surfaces, and water elements that heighten the visitor’s sensory experience acoustically, tactilely, and visually.
The water courtyard
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The building folds itself around a water courtyard and at the same time terraces back with the green roof, always have a view of greenery and roof gardens.
VILLAS
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A mixture of Villa types were sensitively designed to respond to the local climatic conditions whilst maximizing views out to the surrounding lake and mountains. Careful consideration is given to each villa plan and its built form and details to create a comfortable, energy efficient resort style living.