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
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