In the storied coastal landscape of Mahabalipuram—where layers of history, culture, and urban vitality coexist—Forrest emerges not merely as a nature inspired resort, but as a carefully composed retreat inspired by the essence of a forest. Rather than asserting itself as an object within the city, the architecture adopts a quieter presence, positioning itself as an urban oasis that gently withdraws from its surroundings. The design resists instant visual exposure, instead choreographing a gradual sense of arrival—one defined by curiosity, mystery, and revelation.
Editor’s Note: Forest Resorts by Berry Bunch is a thoughtfully composed retreat inspired by the essence of a forest. The design unfolds through a sense of curiosity and discovery, offering an abstract interpretation of woodland landscapes. A palette of warm timber, muted greys, and sharp black accents shapes its visual identity, while the subdued greys create a calm, neutral backdrop that gently recedes into the surrounding environment.
This Nature Inspired Resort Is Carefully Composed Using The Essence Of A Forest | Berry Bunch
“Mystical and layered, the nature inspired design conceives the resort as an abstract interpretation of a forest rather than a literal imitation.” The intention is not to recreate nature, but to translate its emotional and spatial qualities into architecture.
Movement through the site unfolds slowly, allowing guests to experience a sequence of spaces that encourage exploration, pause, and reflection. This measured transition from the external world into the resort’s internal landscape establishes a sense of sanctuary, offering respite from the bustle beyond its boundaries.
“The architectural language of Forrest emphasizes restraint and clarity.” A disciplined palette of warm timber, muted greys, and sharp black accents defines the visual identity of the resort. These materials work in quiet harmony, allowing the surrounding landscape to remain the primary focus.
Wood introduces warmth and tactility, while muted greys provide a calm, neutral backdrop that recedes into the environment. “The nature inspired design uses black detailing sparingly to articulate form, define edges, and subtly ground the architecture within its natural context.” Accents of green—both through planting and material references—reinforce the forest-inspired narrative, strengthening the dialogue between built form and landscape.
The lounge pavilion forms the first major threshold within the resort. Defined by a dramatic, expansive angular roofline, the structure immediately establishes the project’s architectural character. “Beneath this roof, the design layers a richly textured wooden ceiling. It has precise linear steelwork to create a rhythmic interplay of light and shadow throughout the day.”
The pavilion remains semi-open, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior, and immersing guests within a dense, layered tropical landscape. More than a circulation space, the lounge acts as a moment of transition. It is an architectural pause that recalibrates the senses before guests move deeper into the site.
At the heart of the nature inspired communal experience lies the signature restaurant, conceived as a floating pavilion. “This iconic double-height structure is conceived to evoke a sense of buoyancy and lightness, both visually and experientially.” Wrapped in angular, slanting curtain glass and surrounded by a reflective water body, the restaurant appears to hover above the terrain.
Transparency becomes a key design tool here, dissolving the boundary between inside and outside. “The design elevates the surrounding greenery from backdrop to active participant in the dining experience, as it shifts with light, weather, and time. Uninterrupted views of the landscape deepen diners’ connection to nature while the architecture continues to provide comfortable shelter.”
The site’s trapezoidal geometry—often considered a challenge—was embraced as a guiding design force. Rather than imposing a rigid grid, the master plan responds organically, using winding, meandering pathways to create a rhythmic and immersive journey.
These paths slow movement intentionally, encouraging guests to experience the resort as a sequence of discoveries rather than a single, legible whole. The circulation strategy echoes the intuitive movement found in natural forest trails, where paths bend, overlap, and reveal new vistas gradually.
“The design arranges the accommodation units along these pathways as individual pods, each forming a private retreat.” Organically placed within the landscape, every unit features its own pool and deck, offering an intimate relationship with the outdoors.
Dense layers of planting—elephant ears, ferns, plumeria, and other tropical species—envelop each pod, ensuring privacy while enhancing the forest-like ambiance. This landscape strategy allows guests to feel immersed in nature without a sense of exposure, reinforcing the balance between openness and seclusion.
Privacy is treated as a spatial experience rather than a physical barrier. Instead of walls or overt separations, the design relies on distance, orientation, planting density, and controlled sightlines to create a sense of personal sanctuary.
Each retreat feels secluded, yet never isolated. The architecture subtly frames views, filters light, and directs movement in a way that feels intuitive and effortless. At its core, Forrest is a quiet dialogue between nature and architecture.
The project explores the delicate balance between enclosure and openness, solitude and connection. Spaces are designed to unfold with intention, allowing guests to choose their level of engagement—whether retreating inward for reflection or engaging with shared communal moments.
Rooted in abstraction rather than literal representation, the design allows guests to immerse themselves in the essence of a forest without detachment from comfort or clarity.
Ultimately, Forrest is designed as a space for the pause—a sanctuary where architecture responds gracefully to the intuitive movement of the guest. It is a place where moments of solitude feel personal and protected, where discovery is woven into everyday movement, and where the built environment exists not in contrast to nature, but in quiet, thoughtful harmony with it.
Fact File
Designed by: Berry Bunch
Project Type: Hospitality Architecture Design
Project Name: Forrest Resorts
Location: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
Year Built: 2025
Built-up Area: 44526.42 sq.ft.
Principal Architect: Ar. Jawffar Sadiq
Photograph Courtesy: studiomaf
Firm’s Website Link: Berry Bunch
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Berry Bunch
Firm’s Facebook Link: Berry Bunch
For Similar Project >>> The Barnyard Co. Echoes Hospitality Through Eclectic Interior Style
The site is located in Ahilyanagar town of Maharashtra, with a design brief of 7,000 sq feet, while the house had to be designed for the hot and dry climate, which responds carefully to extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and low humidity. The design focuses on reducing heat gain, improving natural ventilation, and creating comfortable indoor spaces with […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
SapanoUday is a contemporary residence that balances material rawness with layered textures and crafted detail, aligning modern living with cultural and spatial sensibilities. Designed by Hundreddesigns, the home responds closely to the client’s routines and artistic inclinations while thoughtfully integrating Vastu principles. HundredDesigns The designers defined the architecture through a minimal palette, using exposed concrete […]
KRIPA is a residence that reflects the personality and lifestyle of its homeowner — calm, open, and rooted in nature. The project focuses on creating light-filled, green spaces with minimal private zones, encouraging openness and connection. In a time when spaces are shrinking but expectations are rising, architecture becomes the medium to bridge this gap […]
The Sculpted Sanctuary is a masterclass in modern minimalist design. The project focuses on “Quiet Luxury”. It is the idea that a space doesn’t need bright colors or flashy decor to feel expensive. Instead, it uses raw natural materials, rich textures, and sharp architectural lines. This Home Is A Masterclass In Modern Minimalist Design | […]
SIDHARTHA, is a four-bedroom modern house which is functional and aesthetic driven by the specific needs of the client. The location of the site is in a dense neighbourhood in Bengaluru, India. The contemporary urban dwelling frequently negotiates competing demands. It balances generous daylight and visual connection to the street with privacy, dust control, and […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]