Compiled by Divya Chand
Photography: Shamanth Patil J;
courtesy the architects
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Time: 2 mins
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An ode to minimalist design and simplistic
materials, Anaha Spa provides a serene yet luxurious refuge.
An addition to Shreyas Retreat, a well-known boutique
resort and luxury ashram at Bengaluru,
The Purple Ink Studio has designed this 20,000 sq. ft. ‘retreat-in-retreat’ combining
the raw, unfinished character of exposed brick and concrete to form a
charismatic serene abode.
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The main block sits partially submerged into
the ground, reducing its imposition on the landscape; whilst creating carefully
designed sunken courts on all sides. 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.
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The spa blocks, each up to 600 sq. ft, are seen
as a semi-detached sequence, derived out of the symbolic hand gesture of an
open palm (the mudra), with interim spaces landscaped to form green courts. Inclined
walls juxtapose the built form to form a strong architectural vocabulary that
fuses the structure into the surrounding landscape. These, along with a
courtyard hosting a water body, filter abundant natural lighting into the main
block infusing it with an aura of serenity.
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Once inside, vastness of space is anointed with
soft treatment to walls, tiled and carpeted flooring and a subtle play of
sunlight filtering in through an ingeniously exposed brick jaali. The guest lounge opens up to a central court with
water body on one side, and to a sunken court on the other. Private consultation
rooms are part of the main spaces, but are silently tucked away beside the
water body.
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Yoga and meditation spaces are relegated to the
upper floor, where east-facing openings usher in the soft morning sun and a pavilion
structure endowed with playful chiaroscuro provides a sense of drama.
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The abode has a raw organic character with spaces
held together with a strong design language of hand-crafted jaali screens, solid wood doors and free
flowing openings.
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The unique building outline helps conserve the existing
trees on site. The uneven geometry leads to formation of semi-covered buffer
zones and enables a weaving of the open and the built mass. The smooth transition
from the greens to the tranquillity of the built form provides the inherent
sense of lightness that would be expected from a wellness centre sitting, quite
literally, in the lap of nature.
Fact File:
Project name: Anaha
Spa at Shreyas Retreat
Client: Inner
Challenges Pvt Ltd
Design program: Spa block (insert) in an
existing yoga retreat
Architecture, Interiors & Landscape: The Purple Ink Studio
Design Team: Akshay
Heranjal, Aditi Pai, Jaikumar, Nishita Bhatia, Priyanka Bankapur
Original site area: 26 acres
Built up area: 20,000 sqft
Location: Bengaluru
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