Rahul Kadri | IMK Architects Club Mahindra Madikeri Resort, at Coorg, Karnataka

Club Mahindra Madikeri Resort, at Coorg, Karnataka – Merging Nature with the Living Habitat, by Rahul Kadri | IMK Architects

The Madikeri Resort in Coorg, Karnataka is a hospitality project that was designed for Club Mahindra Holidays and Resorts. The design takes cues from the indigenous Kodava culture and upholds biophilia as a central element to create a site-sensitive habitat that is in harmony with nature. - Rahul Kadri | IMK Architects
Rahul Kadri | IMK Architects Club Mahindra Madikeri Resort, at Coorg, Karnataka

Rahul Kadri | IMK Architects Club Mahindra Madikeri Resort, at Coorg, Karnataka

The Madikeri Resort in Coorg, Karnataka is a hospitality project that was designed for Club Mahindra Holidays and Resorts. The design takes cues from the indigenous Kodava culture and upholds biophilia as a central element to create a site-sensitive habitat that is in harmony with nature.

 

Site and Master planning

With an area of 2,15,000-sq.ft., the resort comprises a reception, fitness centre, spa, three restaurants and 220 rooms arranged in an arc on a single level to maximise ease of movement. The building blocks have been planned along the edge of the Cardamom Valley, strategically positioned to save every single tree on the site. They are placed below the ridge instead of on it, so that the hill looks undisturbed from the main road. Amidst the vast rainforest, the lush tropical valley below and the terraced paddy fields beyond, the building seems to rise from the site naturally, as though it had always existed.

 

 

The site’s topography creates a crescent-shaped ridge with a deep valley in the middle. In order to address the valley and create an experience of grand vistas upon entering, the reception is kept in the centre with the resort’s rooms in phases built on either side. The slopes are lined with trees like the silver oak, which shade the Arabica coffee grown beneath them. The bottom of the valley is bursting with cardamom plantations, giving a very dense forest-like feel to the site. This inspired the design intent of providing the guests an experience of being inside the woods.

 

 

Design and Planning

The architectural style for the building has been inspired by the local vernacular Ainmane houses, that have been in existence from the 8th century CE. Ainmanes are the traditional homes belonging to a particular Kodava clan or family. They are a composite cluster of structures and designated areas, where traditional rituals and ceremonies are performed. Characterised by kayyales or verandahs with tapering, square carved pillars which support the attic, elaborately carved wooden doors and sloping tiled roofs, these houses are where festivals are celebrated.

 

 

The reception is designed with a courtyard in the centre, similar to the space planning in Ainmanes. A unique rainwater harvesting style indigenous to the local Kodava people forms the central feature of the entrance lobby, in which four inner slopes allow rainwater to collect in a base pool. The interiors are adorned with design elements such as traditional elaborate carving on columns, wooden doors and windows, railings and artwork created with local fabrics. The living units have lovely sit-out areas that mimic the kayyales (verandahs) from the Ainmanes. Well-designed rooms allow natural light and a regular breeze to flood in.

 

 

The entrance to the spa is through an old traditional doorway and past soft water fountains that open out into a wood-crafted floating pavilion. This reception pavilion is built of local materials with delicate detailing in wood and stone by artisans from Kerela.

The three restaurants in the resort offer breathtaking hill views. The simple palette of earthen tiles, wood and grey stone lets one know that this resort could only belong to this untouched locale. The swimming pool is organic in its form to preserve the foliage and maintain the flow between the existing trees, giving it the aura of a natural forest pond.

 

 

Conclusion

With maximum exposure to nature, the soul of the design lies in the interaction between people and the outdoors. Through the revival of the age-old vernacular techniques, the resort creates a green aboard amidst the hills.

 

Drawings –

 

Project Facts –

Name of Project: Club Mahindra Madikeri Resort

Area: 2,15,000Sq.Ft.

Location: Coorg, Karnataka

Status: Completed in 2010

Client: Club Mahindra Holidays and Resorts

Typology: Hospitality

Location:  Coorg, Karnataka

Name of Client: Mahindra Holiday & Resorts (India) Ltd

Name of Clients Firm: Mahindra Holiday & Resorts (India) Ltd

Principal Architect: Mr. Rahul Kadri (IMK Architects)

Design Team: Mr. Rahul Kadri (Principal Architect), Mr. Ojus Baxi, Mr. Jatin Dewan, Ms. Rashna Kapadi, SamataSanjeevani Sagwekar, Shabana Noufal, Shweta Kulkarni, Megha Harkut, Hina Siddiqui, Sudhir Saseedharan, Gayatri Railkar, Shraddha Kakade, Priyamvada Patil

Site Area: 1,28,155 Sq.Mtrs.

Built-Up Area:  2,15,000 Sq.ft.

Share your comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent

Grid, Bangalore, by ma+rs

Grid, Bangalore, by ma+rs

Grid, Bangalore, by ma+rs, redefines institutional architecture by addressing the shortcomings of conventional office designs in the Indian context. Through a thoughtful fusion of form and function, the building seamlessly integrates public, private, and collective spaces across its distinct volumes.

Read More »
Thapar University

The Architectural Reshaping of Thapar University

Thapar University, DesignPlusArchitecture by was redefined by infusing traditional and modern elements. At the forefront stood the majestic learning laboratory buildings, a multi-story edifice adorned with a striking red stone facade.

Read More »
Book Launch | Making Chandigarh: A Vintage History

Book | Making Chandigarh: A Vintage History

“Making of Chandigarh: A Vintage History” co-authored by Sarbjit Bahga and Arun Mirchandani offers a unique pictorial journey through 575 vintage photographs, capturing the city’s evolution from 1950 to the 1990s. With a focus on the city-making process, the book, enriched with more than 50 drawings, serves as a comprehensive tribute to the photographers and the multitude of contributors who played a crucial role in shaping Chandigarh.

Read More »

The 100, Calicut, by Nestcraft Architecture

In this rural escape, The 100, Calicut, by Nestccraft Architecture, ensures a firm marriage between functionality and aesthetics and the planning suggests four bedrooms with attached toilets in a plinth area of 21OO square feet. The home and wabi-sabi landscape within this boundary facilitate meaningful life to 1OO souls.

Read More »
Pune

Pune – An Ever-Evolving Jewel

The essay traces the transformation of Pune from a quaint town to the vibrant city it is today. Mostly it is about the city’s aspects, which make it different and unique. The narrative reminisces about the city’s cultural richness and festive glory. It also points out a bit about the challenges posed by urbanization. But despite everything, Pune successfully retains its cultural essence, making it a city that preserves its glorious heritage while transforming.
This essay by Arpita Khamitkar is amongst the shortlisted essays.

Read More »

Reflection of Urban Inclusivity And Reality

The essay reflects on the author’s childhood memories centred around the Kohinoor Textile Mill. The mill, part of Mumbai’s Girangaon, played a significant role in the city’s industrial growth until the early 1980s. The essay fondly recalls the mill’s impact on the community, its cultural richness, and personal experiences. The author expresses concern about the loss of community identity and the impact of privatization, highlighting the need for sustainable urban development that preserves the city’s history. This essay by Pornima Buddhivant is amongst the shortlisted essays.

Read More »

WE ARE HIRING /

ArchitectureLive! is hiring for various roles, starting from senior editors, content writers, research associates, graphic designer and more..

 

PARTICIPATE /