Raj Vilas Hotel
Location : Bhuj, India
Tools: Hand- Drafting, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
Brief: The project dives into hospitality design which is responsive to the context it is situated in.
The brief of this project was to design a hotel which directly responds to its context, and becomes an entry point for the culture of the site its located it. I chose to build the hotel in Bhuj, which is located in Western Gujurat. The region's rich heritage, both tangible and intangible, is something i have tried to incorporate in each of my design decisions.
Post explorations, the final design is as follows. The space comprises of a reception, lounge and a themed restaurant.
Lighting
Since the space was by the palaces around Bhuj and Kutch, the lighting is heavily derived from the same. The light from the chandeliers is reflected manifold times by the mirrors on the ceiling in each room and corridor. This provides more than enough ambient lighting and reduces the energy consumption greatly. Further, task lighting can be used for individual spaces. The reflection caused by the mirrors is difficult to calculate, hence I have taken an approximation in the amount of light that will be required by the spaces. The energy from the light will be generated from Dual Axis Solar Trackers, placed nearby. Bhuj is an area which is prone to earthquakes, and to ensure least destruction, the roof has to be kept extremely light. Putting the solar trackers would add to the roof weight and therefore, placing it on the ground would be a far better alternative.
Thermal Comfort and Ventilation
Bhuj is a place of extreme climates. A structure built here would need to accommodate the drastic changes in temperature, all the while keeping the inhabitants comfortable. The best approach would be to adapt the traditional construction means, that is, the use of mud for construction and making courtyards the central aspect of the building. The material itself balance the outside and inside temperature, with no additional pressure to the environment, and the rooms are connected to the courtyard, ensuring continuous ventilation throughout. Additional measures have also been added to increase this comfort. The mirrors, running throughout the roof, disperse light as well as heat. This phenomena is extremely crucial in the winters. Similarly, in summer, the coolness is increased in the restaurant by the use of fountains. Thus, the structure is able to adapt to the changing temperatures outside.
Water Harvesting and Garbage Disposal
Despite having a semi- arid climate, owing to its location, Bhuj gets tremendous amount of rainfall, so much so that it floods the city every year. If the water is harvested efficiently, it will greatly reduce the pressure on the neighbouring Rudramata Dam Reservoir. All of the water which falls on the roofs of the building as well as the open courtyard, will be collected and stored in and underground tank. After apporopriate filtering, the water will then be used throughout the premises. The grey water will be collected and sent to the sewage treatment plant on the site, which after purification, will be used for the landscaping. The organic matter left behind can also be used in situ.