Contemporary Example of Landscape Architecture in India SHREYAS YOG A RETREAT
SUBMITTED BY: BY: Ar. Aanchal Rawal
ABOUT THE FIRM Akshay Kaul and associates is a Delhi based Firm that was formed in 1995 with the aim of addressing environmental concerns, culture and aesthetics through ecological planning and landscape design in India. The team works on variety of projects including design of new towns, heritage sites, urban design, campus, resorts, parks, spiritual retreats and private gardens all over the country. Akshay Kaul and associates has experience of working in Europe, Asia and North America on planning, landscape and architectural design. Akshay Kaul specializes in the field of Ecological Planning, Landscape and Sustainable Architecture, and possesses more than 25 years of experience in India & USA. Akshay has won many National as well as International awards. He has provided sustainable landscape design for IRRAD Gurgaon Campus, that has received platinum LEED rating.
ABOUT THE PROJECT •
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Location: Bangalore, India Situated 17 miles north-west of Bangalore, at a distance of a one hour drive from Bangalore Airport.
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Architect: Akshay Kaul & Associates, New Delhi.
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Total Area: 25 acres
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Project completed in 2006
SITE PLAN
4. Lotus Pond
1. Amphitheatre
4 2 2. Lily Pond
5. Landscaping 1 5 6
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3. Passageway 6. Pool
SHREYAS RETREAT •
Total Area: 25 acres
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Dedicated 5 acres for organic farming.
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Capacity 25 persons
The various packages offered are: •
Silent Retreat
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Ayurveda Rejuvenation
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Yoga Retreat Package
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The Joy of Giving
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Wellness for the Soul
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Weight Management Package
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Culinary Experience
SHREYAS RETREAT Main features of Sustainability: •
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Water Conservation, Native & Medicinal Plants,
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Created Bio-Swales, Ponds for recharging ground water, and
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A low Intensive Landscape.
One can help dig up and prepare vegetables from the organic garden and serve lunch to children at the local orphanage (built with guest donations).
SHREYAS RETREAT •
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The concept of community plays a big part at Shreyas and most of the staff live on site so that it feels as if everyone is on the same journey. Scattered among the lush greenery of palms and aromatic fig trees are smart tented cottages with showers opening onto private terraces. An infinity pool lined with sun beds is at the centre of the main courtyard. Rated as one of the finest Yoga retreats in the world, Shreyas is an exclusive boutique property that caters to a maximum of 25 guests in a luxurious and serene environment. Shreyas offers Yoga & meditation sessions, Gourmet organic vegetarian cuisine, Nature farming, Community service and Voluntourism, Ayurveda & Spa treatments, cooking classes, etc. round the year. The architecture and interiors are a confluence of traditional and the modern – tiled roofs, antique doorways and stone pillars give way to contemporary interiors and state of the art facilities.
NEW ADDITION – SPA BLOCK •
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A new spa space has now replaced the two original treatment rooms, allowing for full panchakarma detoxification. The project was completed in June, 2016 and is now operational.
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Architect: The Purple Ink Studio, Bangalore.
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Area: 20,000 ft²
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Designed as a ‘Retreat within Retreat’, the S pa block is a new ‘insert’ that offers spectacular layers of spaces and experiences.
The Architectural Vision is planned as a sustainable model, focusing strongly on the connect of man in the realm of nature. The main block disappears into the earth and is half submerged to connect to the isolating quality of the earth, with the light and air movement planned from a series of sunken courts. The approach to the main area slowly opens up a plethora of spaces which are programmatically planned to suit the smooth spatial transitions of the guests. Private Consultation rooms are part of the main spaces, but are silently tucked away beside the water body.
SPA BLOCK
SPA BLOCK •
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The Guest Lounge area opens up to a Central Court with water body on one side, and to a Sunken Court on the other. Each spa room is positioned to offer spectacular views of the site / surroundings, whilst concealing the guests from the outside with local exposed brick jaali works as the shell. The structure’s porous cell conceals a softer environment inside and the private open to sky lounge spaces (for after treatment relaxation) bringing in natural daylights into all spaces. The landscape merges the geometry of network of the surrounding paths to form break-away spaces for the guests to lounge. These buffer zones create smooth transitions from the exterior, to semi covered spaces, and also offer a beautiful play of light. With each block growing from the sunken gardens into the sky, often blending into a series of greens, the organic approach seamlessly fuses the inherent sense of lightness expected from a space so serene.
