19 Villas Created Without Cutting A Single Native Tree in Panchalimedu | Kerala | Srijit Srinivas – ARCHITECTS

Designed by Srijit Srinivas, this resort in the hill station of Panchalimedu in Idukki district, Kerala contains 19 villas, the main block with a central lobby, conference room, restaurant, shop, swimming pool, a spa, and other amenities including ample parking. All these facilities are confined to the limited 1.51 acres of the steep hilly site. The remarkable point is that all this was achieved without chopping down even a single local tree from the site. A clever and nature-conserving design plan. Isn’t it? The architect has shared other details and challenges they faced while constructing the project with SURFACES REPORTER (SR). Read on:

Also Read: This Holiday Home in Coonoor Is A True Paradise Dotted With Sprawling Tea Gardens and Breathtaking Views | Phylosophy Design Studio

The Resort is located in the hill station of Panchalimedu in the Idukki district, with proximity to the historically significant pond in which Panchali is believed to have bathed. The design had to overcome the challenges of steep terrains, budget constraints, and local climactic characteristics of strong winds & rainfalls. 

The design response was one of sensory richness emanating from tranquil spaces and an original architectural style of chic ethnic heritage but with all the trappings of modern living. The use of raised circulation paths to overcome the undulating terrain below makes the design very friendly to guests.

A Green Resort

The buildings respond to the contoured topography of the site (being lowest at the entrance near the road and highest towards the rear) by being placed on stilts to float over the site veritably.

The landscaping plan adopted weaved in luxuriant foliage and shrubbery and generously interspersed in green pockets, giving the resort a deep connection with the outdoors validating its context as a green resort.

Welcoming Main Block

The main block is the first port of call for guests and has a very inviting and generously appointed lobby, as well as a Business Centre, a restaurant, kitchen, retail outlet, and swimming pool with a kids pool.

The spacious lobby is both inviting and intriguing with its high roof and internally accentuated with various purposefully located cut-outs framing enchanting views of rolling hills outside. The building sits above the parking yard with its own nature strip in front, facing the rising sun.

Exposed Brickwork and Large Overhangs

The building is done in exposed brick and has large overhangs for deep shade and protection from driving rain. The building’s gabled roofs facilitate natural ventilation as well as introduce visual interest in the form of the sloping roof.

The Business Centre adjacent to the lobby offers facilities for remote work and is also designed and positioned to have great views of the distant hills. The functional circulation routes easily allow delivery of room services from the kitchen/restaurant to all units. 

Panoramic Views of Pristine Nature

The Restaurant has a seating capacity of 50 guests, with all seats having views to the external vistas reflected over the pool beside, and an internal courtyard alive with foliage. The side facing the nearby hills is not glazed (but has a manually deployable feature in the event of driving rain). 

This arrangement purposefully blurs the division between the inside and outside and allows easy ingress of breeze along with the promises of the outdoors, as well as access to the nearby positioned barbeque and campfire pit. 

The fully equipped and spacious kitchen is set at a higher level in response to the slope of the land. The undercroft of the main block is functionally utilised for back-of-house facilities of the resort such as laundry, linen storage, and driver amenities. The main block also has living quarters for staff at the rear, as well as a convertible office room for the proprietors.

Enchanting Villas 

All 19 villas come with an external shaded verandah, dining room, living room kitchen and an enclosed garden. Five of the villas have 2 bedrooms each while the remaining 14 are single-bedroom villas. The bedrooms are ensuite, with a walk-in dress room. All rooms are designed to catch views of the misty hills in the distance or of the on-site pool nearby. 

As noted earlier, raised walkways float over the steep contours below and provide safe and easy access to all the villas.

The provision of utilities across the site and to all the residential units was a technical challenge given the undulating lie of the land, but this was innovatively addressed through meticulous detailing and use of bespoke engineering solutions.

Also Read: Aann Space Designs A Lavish And Sustainable Mini-Resort Style Home in Chandigarh | Aann Haus

Swimming Pool And Spa 

The Swimming Pool is an overflow infinity pool and with vantage views to the surrounding hills, and has ample deck space all around as well as an adjacent wading pool for kids.

 The Spa is located at the front of the plot, with attendant Ayurvedic treatment rooms deliberately positioned on stilts above the yard below, assuring privacy without also obstructing the prized views to the vistas beyond.

Project Details

Additional Credits

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