search

A Balance Of Contemporary Design And Traditional Elements Indulged In Hospitality | Edifice Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

“The many vignettes of saint yet luxurious hospitality design are explored passionately by Edifice Consultants. The disciplined authenticity and ingenuity of Kerelan architecture and its relationship to its landscape are gently nurtured in this project.”- Nishal Sevak(Co-Editor)

Niraamaya Retreat is a resort complex in Kumarakom, Kerala. It demonstrates a boutique architectural experience of opulence connecting strongly with the surrounding landscape through a balance of contemporary design and traditional elements indulged in hospitality.

A Balance Of Contemporary Design And Traditional Elements Indulged In Hospitality | Edifice Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

Visit : Edifice Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

Niraamaya Retreat by Backwaters & Beyond is located at Kumarakom, Kerala. Spread across seven acres, the resort abuts the Vembanad lake with a 160m shoreline, complimented by views of the lush green surroundings. The design approach for Niraamaya Retreat builds upon the celebrated backwaters, integrating the biosystem to create a holistic, spatial as well as aesthetic experience tying together the built spaces.

The 27-key luxury resort consists of independent cottages, a spa and wellness centre, treatment rooms, bar, yoga pavilions, pool and gym, meeting rooms and an amphitheater; the spatial program has been interpreted to create a cohesive design scheme that provides a variety of views, vistas and levels of solitude, in tune with the function of each space.

Site Planning : The visitor is welcomed into an intimate structure facing a landscaped court. From here, a grand flight of stairs leads the visitor to a voluminous reception under the sloping roof. This frames the visitor’s first view of the lake from the property. 27 keys housed in over 7 acres of land, resulting in low ground coverage, allows for an abundance of landscaping and experience of green.

The villas are intimately connected with the lake, with two out of three keys directly overlooking the lake. Each villa at the ground level, commands a significant secluded landscaped foreground that can be enjoyed by the occupant. Privacy is achieved by the careful placement of fenestration, and landscaped visual barriers.

The upper level keys are all oriented towards, and visually connected with the lake. The Premium villas enjoy both the landscaped foreground as well as the lake view. Case-studies of the existing retreats in the area revealed that it was privacy that was a missing ingredient.

The landscape though lush, was a manicured version of the real thing. Each living space in Niraamaya has been planned with a shielded private foreground using landscape elements that merge with the surroundings rather than stark built-up elements that stand apart. The shrubs, the textures, the grass, the trees have all been given consideration for this purpose.

Strongly redolent of the classical Kerala architecture, the design expresses traditional elements such as sloping roofs, Mogappus, Charupadi, etc. through locally-sourced materials such clay tiles for roofing, granite pavilions and dados, laterite, and local timber.

Through a contemporary expression of traditional design language of Kerala in combination with the rich landscape, Niraamaya Retreat emerges as a naturally aging property rather than a loud, perpetually polished one. The design infuses luxury in the interior spaces primarily through the choice of materials.

Referring to the design style of Colonial Kerala, a natural colour palette has been adopted in the range of beiges and greens to bring the spatial experience to life. Keeping the distinct style of the Colonial era in mind, the handpicked assemblage of slender and graceful furniture pieces minimizes visual noise to create serene, meditative spaces.

A variety of accommodation types make up the resort; the villas have been arranged in a spine along the lake shore, with two out of three keys directly overlooking the waterbody. Each of the villas is designed to maintain the required degree of privacy through the play of fenestrations and landscaped visual barriers.

With large covered verandahs and personal pools in the forecourt, the villas provide a premium hospitality experience without disconnecting the patron from the verdant setting.

This model of personal amenity hubs integrating themselves with the larger complex has been replicated across the resort through various configurations, including two-storied Premium Villas – where the upper keys look towards the lake, and the ground floor suites open into personal gardens – and family suites, which feature multiple terraces and covered verandahs tying together a set of private rooms.

The degree of luxury manifests itself through the scale as well as materiality of spaces, with large ensuite bathrooms attached to the guest rooms, and providing stunning views of the Vembanad Lake.

Design Challenges : The unique site geography presented the challenge of an unusually high water-table, high rainfall, and water stagnation caused by the contours of the site.

Addressing these challenges was crucial to the conservation of property and life alike, as exhibited by the floods of 2018 which wreaked havoc in the region. To mitigate these hazardous conditions, the design scheme enables a network of natural water bodies that allow smooth surface run-off even in circumstances of heavy monsoon rains.

Fact File

Designed by : Edifice Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

Project Type : Hospitality/ Wellness Design

Project Name : Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond

Location : Kumarokam, Kerala

Year Built : December 2017

Built-Up Area : 85000 Sq. ft

Principal Architects : Ravi Sarangan

Team Design Credits : Radhika Dey, Baskaran Kolathu, Binu Kuriokose & Sanjay Srinivasan

Photograph Courtesy : Niraamaya Retreat

Landscape : Varkey Thomas

Structure : Vastech

Firm’s Website Link : Edifice Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

Firm’s Instagram Link : Edifice Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

Firm’s Facebook Link : Edifice Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

For Similar Projects >> Luxury Resort – Jagira “The Jungle Resort”, Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat 

A Modern Bali House With Timeless Tropical Charm | Biombo Architects

Located in the coastal village of Pererenan, Bali, House Terra is a contemporary response to tropical living, designed by Biombo Architects as a family retreat. The project balances built space and landscape, creating a strong connection between architecture and nature while offering shelter from the island’s monsoon climate. Editor’s Note: “House Terra, more than a […]

Read More

Minimal Home Interior Design That Honors Heritage in a 15′ Wide Plot | Dinterplay Architects

Located on a 15′ x 95′ ancestral plot in a pal village, Surat, India, this residence is designed for a multi-generational family of seven. This minimal home interior design solves light and space challenges within a narrow plot. The family wanted to stay connected with their community and preserve their cultural roots. The site has […]

Read More

This Bungalow Is A Poetic Take On Modern Exterior House Design | Sparc Design

“The sky’s ever-changing canvas, painted with hues of blues at dawn and greys and blacks at dusk, seamlessly weaves itself into the very fabric of this home’s architecture and interior.” Located in a comparatively narrow lane of bungalow plots, this modern exterior house design borrows its modern straight-line form and color from the sky. A […]

Read More

15 Courtyards in Houses: Designing Tranquil Spaces That Elevate Homes

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 […]

Read More

The Residence Features An Exposed Brick Design That Enhances Its Street Presence | R+R Architects

The residence is sensitively designed and compatible with the neighborhood. Distinct from neighboring structures, the building creates a strong relationship to the streets by virtue of its large windows in facades. While there are dramatic and larger scale elements that define the building, it is also broken down into comprehensible human scale blocks with an […]

Read More

This Simple Contemporary House Design Harmonizes Craftsmanship and Nature | Karaagre Designs

This contemporary residence, covering 7500 square feet, combines modern design with timeless elegance to create a peaceful and luxurious retreat within a busy urban environment. The home is built around large frames that open up to nature, blending the interior with its surroundings. The design focuses on craftsmanship and harmony, making the simple contemporary house […]

Read More

Neuroarchitecture: Designing for the Human Mind

Imagine walking into a sunlit room with high ceilings, warm wooden floors, and a view of a leafy courtyard. How do you feel? Calm? Inspired? At ease? That’s not just your mood—it’s your brain responding to the space around you. Neuroarchitecture is an evolving domain that merges the understanding of neuroscience, psychology, and architecture to […]

Read More

Postmodernism Architecture: History, Elements & Famous Buildings

Architecture is more than just the construction of buildings, it is a reflection of our values, art, culture, and society. It is a movement towards new, promising, and philosophical design strategies. One such movement that significantly influenced the architectural landscape is Postmodernism architecture. In this research article, readers will find a comprehensive guide for Postmodernism […]

Read More

Mango Tree House is a Reflection of Traditional Modern Home Design | Offbeat Studio

Mango Tree House is an artfully designed personal residence that seamlessly integrates traditional architectural elements with the comforts of modern living, embodying the essence of traditional modern home design. Some houses are more than just structures; they hold stories, memories, and a deep connection to the land. Mango Tree House is one such space—one that […]

Read More

Modern Architecture Homes: 15 Trending Styles To Explore

What if the home of the future didn’t have walls? Modern architecture homes aren’t just about aesthetics – it’s a rebellion. A conscious break from tradition. In a world obsessed with innovation, our homes are becoming laboratories of design, sustainability, and radical thought. Modern architecture homes are sharp-edged, glass-wrapped, tech-infused sanctuaries that defy the standard. […]

Read More
  • Texas, Austin: Why Consider Hard Money Construction Loans

    The Ultimate Solution for Small Bedrooms: A Murphy Bed