Nestled in the mountain forests near Kasauli, a small hill town in Himachal Pradesh, the Velmore Resort offers a serene retreat from bustling city life. Kasauli has recently gained popularity among tourists for its scenic beauty and convenient proximity to major cities, making it an ideal destination for vacation seekers and nature enthusiasts.
Editor’s Note: “The Velmore Resort in Kasauli by Studio Vasaka, hints at the amalgamation of modern architecture with the natural landscape. Having a stacked volume with tapered voids, white stucco exteriors, and artfully composed vistas, each guest is treated with a private balcony or open terrace. Thoughtfully designed blocks offer easy mobility and ensure that simple comforts invade the peace of the hills.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
The Velmore Resort In Kasauli Offers A Serene Retreat From Bustling City Life | Studio Vasaka
The resort’s location, away from the town’s hustle and bustle, provides a peaceful haven.
The site, with its challenging topography, is thoughtfully utilized. Moreover, it ensures the structure blends harmoniously with the natural contours without altering the landscape. Surrounded by tall pine trees and offering captivating views of the valley, the resort is a perfect getaway.
The resort’s design accommodates the site’s unique shape and contours by integrating three distinct blocks. Block one houses common facilities such as the reception, administration offices, restaurant and banquet. Guest rooms occupy blocks two and three.
However, these blocks ensure easy access to the common pool deck via lifts and stairways. Furthermore, they are interconnected by a golf cart track. Thus, enhancing convenience and mobility for guests.
A defining feature of The Velmore Resort is its distinctive composition of stacked boxes. Moreover, this series of stacked volumes creates a striking architectural statement, deliberately contrasting with the natural surroundings to establish a unique identity.
The boxes incorporate tapered voids that serve as balconies, providing privacy while maintaining an open connection to the outdoors. These punctuated volumes offer unique inside-out experiences, allowing guests to engage with nature intimately.
Terraces complement the design, visually freeing up space and enhancing interaction between the volumes, voids, and the natural environment. The theme of stacked volumes extends throughout the structure, with bold blocks creating a dynamic interplay between mass and void.
The white exterior stucco is a crucial element, acting as a canvas that enhances the resort’s aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, this color choice strips away visual clutter, making the form feel intentional. Moreover, it allows the building to leverage nature as a key element.
When the distractions are taken away, the building uses nature to its advantage as the third material. Additionally, the white surface beautifully captures the shadows of surrounding trees, which change from dawn to dusk and amplify the play of daylight.
Windows function as portals, connecting the indoor spaces with the natural surroundings and offering curated viewpoints. The design ensures that each space provides a unique perspective on the landscape.
The Velmore Resort, with its sculpted volumes and thoughtful design, confidently sits on the contoured site, creating a beautiful dialogue between architecture and nature. It stands as a testament to the integration of bold design with the serene beauty of the natural world.
Fact FileDesigned by: Studio Vasaka
Project Type: Resort
Project Name: Velmore Resort
Location: Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, India
Year Built: 2024
Built-up Area: 41871 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Karan Arora & Ar. Varchasa Duggal
Photograph Courtesy: Purnesh Dev Nikhanj
Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Vasaka
For Similar Project>>> WHITE FEATHER RESORT DESIGNED AMID NATURAL SCENERY OF MADHUBAN RESERVOIR
This edition, TAD Architecture Magazine celebrates the powerful women of India. “Breaking the Boundaries”—a phrase often used to celebrate women’s achievements in their respective fields. But were there ever boundaries to break? The answer is Yes. The most commonly spoken one remains gender inequality—an issue addressed year after year, yet still far from being fully […]
In the heart of every home, the Angan stands as a sacred court. It is a personal yet public space that witnesses the playful childhoods, festive celebrations, gatherings, and even tranquility for one. This project makes an honest attempt to reintroduce the idea of a court in the design, amalgamating it with modern needs, embodying […]
This five-floor residential building in KUKATPALLY showcases thoughtful planning and modern functionality. This vertical house is tailored to meet the evolving needs of a multigenerational family. Designed for a client with two sons, the home seamlessly blends shared spaces, private retreats, and clever spatial planning. This Vertical House Offers the Perfect Balance of Privacy and […]
Mr. Rajesh Vadgama reached out to Ar. Jay Thakkar through a mutual acquaintance after purchasing a residential plot. Following an initial meeting and several site visits, a concept for a compact yet luxurious Luxury House was developed. The final design featured an expansive, well-planned layout with a spacious living room, a double-height dining area that […]
The trend of weekend or second homes has grown in the post-pandemic era, reflecting a shift in lifestyle and aspirations. People have become more conscious of their surroundings, seeking opportunities to pause, reconnect with themselves, and immerse in nature. Pushpam Farm embodies this perspective, offering a serene retreat in an organic modern style while contrasting […]
In the burgeoning area of Vadodara, this house, Namasya, is nestled amongst the upcoming high-rise residential buildings enclosed with the beautifully crafted landscape around it. As the sun rises on the horizon, the day of Nehulji (client) begins with the Munias and parakeets chirping, awaiting their breakfast. During his daily morning routine, he shares the […]
How often are irregularly shaped plots dismissed when buying land? In many towns, the land is subdivided into perfect rectangles for construction, leaving plots with unconventional shapes—sharp angles and awkward dimensions—undesirable and in low demand. However, the architecture studio Tropical Tones, has set an example by tackling this challenge. This Tropical Modern residence house design […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]
SASWATHA, the residential architecture project by GVQ Design Studio, is located in Thrissur, Kerala. This thoughtfully designed home caters to a joint family consisting of two brothers, their families, and their parents. Spanning approximately 2,700 sq. ft on a 15-cent plot, the residential architecture is meticulously crafted to meet the diverse needs of a multi-generational […]
This simple farmhouse design is a humble residence that responds to the climate and site. It is a fun fact that the house is both an inward and outward looking house at the same time. One of the USPs of the simple farmhouse design project would be that it connects well with the most playful […]