Brigade Group’s hill resort in the Western Ghats
“Step away from the conventions and clichés of resort design”

In earlier issues of Brigade Insight, we had written of our proposed hill resort in the Western Ghats. In order to create a resort of international standards, we invited architects from around the world to send in “expressions of interest”. Several firms were short-listed from the responses we received and were invited to send their representatives to Bangalore for a site visit. Seven firms—two from Bangalore, one each from New Delhi, Singapore, Indonesia, South Africa and the United States—then sent in their submissions.

After evaluating the submissions, the evaluation committee (comprising Mr Naresh Venkataramanan, Architect; Mr T.M. Thomas, Architect; Mr Eric Swanson, GM, Leela Palace Hotel, Bangalore; Mr M.R. Jaishankar, MD, Brigade Group and Mr H. Jayadeva, MD, Resource Communications) selected the design submitted by C&T Architects of Bangalore as the best design. Excerpted below is an interview with Mr Prem Chandavarkar of C&T.

What kind of scope does the setting provide to create an excellent hill resort ?
The site for this resort is unique. It has a steep slope and looking down the slope, towards the southeast, one can see the valley far below, with Chikamagalur town in the distance. This gives a feeling of having stepped away from the earth while looking down at it. The impact is heightened when one realises that the view down the slope is not the only great view. Looking up the slope the dramatic presence of a rock cliff hovering above the site imparts a totally different character. The overall set of views gives the sense that one has entered a new world that is possessed of a wonderous landscape.

Which factors posed a challenge while the concept and design were being developed?
The major challenge was to produce a design that respected the site—one that would only serve to increase the drama of its steep contours and wonderful views..

Architecturally speaking, what would you say is unique about C&T's concept and design for this hill resort?
We sought to step away from the conventions and clichés of resort design, where there is a tendency towards producing a packaged ethnicity. We felt that this unique site required a unique design and sought to go back to the first principles of how design can respond to the site and produce a sense of renewal. We feel that the final design is extremely contemporary and at the same time provides the potential to connect with the eternal principles of understanding the self in relationship to earth, sky and the elements.

Are there any eco-friendly features being incorporated?
Please name them.
We are seeking to incorporate the following elements:
• Harvesting and recharge of storm water runoff.
• Recycling of waste water for landscape irrigation.
• Potential of local control of airconditioning units, and allowing for the possibility to open the windows in comfortable climatic conditions so that one is not trapped in a hermetically sealed environment. The views from each unit will encourage visitors to open windows.

What are your comments about the selection process adopted by the Brigade Group, and the way it was implemented?
We were happy with the process. A wide net was cast to attract expressions of interest. The criteria for pre-qualification were clearly spelt out in advance, all information was circulated without bias to all competitors, and the jury process was held under a system of anonymity (through code numbers) where the jury could not link a design with the identity of the participant. Above all, we were excited by the fact that the promoters clearly indicated interest in seeing innovative thinking, and therefore took care not to specify a restrictive design brief.

When you and your team heard that C&T had won this international competition, what were your feelings?

We were thrilled to hear the news. Firstly, we were excited by the design that had evolved and it was wonderful to know that we would be given an opportunity to implement this vision.
Secondly, it felt really good to know that our work could stand up to the test of international competition.
Could you please name the principal team members who were involved in developing the design.

The design was a collaboration of the following:
Architectural Design:
Chandavarkar & Thacker: Prem Chandavarkar,
Sai Shankar, Bharatan Ashvin, Mathew Luv Khot,
Satish Moses, Arun Prasad

Landscape Architecture & Site Planning:
Oikos: Nina Chandavarkar, T.M. Chengappa, Bijoy Chacko, Sumedh Naik, Menaka Rao

Structural Design: B.L. Manjunath

We invite Brigadiers and the readers of Brigade Insight to suggest a name for our resort. The name should be good enough to become a brand name. The winning entry will be awarded Rs 10,000 ! Send in your entries by email to resort@brigadegroup.com, clearly mentioning your name, age, postal address and contact number. The winner will be intimated by courier or email within a month, and the winning entry published in the next issue of Brigade Insight. Last date for sending in your entries 31 January 2005