SITE

Project Details:

Club Mahindra Ashtamudi Resort

Area: 3085 m²
Year of completion: 2021
IGBC Platinum-rated building

Site location and connectivity:

Ashtamudi,
Malibhagam,
South, Chavara,
Kerala

Closest Train stations

Closest Airport
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Micro Climate

Kerala has a tropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons:

Winter
November to mid-February, with average maximum temperatures of 28°C and
minimum temperatures of 18°C. There is relatively low rainfall during this time.

Summer
March to May, with average maximum temperatures of 36°C and minimum
temperatures of 32°C. There is reduced rainfall and a humid climate during this time.

Southwest monsoon
Begins in June, and Kerala receives the highest amount of rainfall during this season.

Cyclones
In the summer, Kerala is prone to gale-force winds, storm surges, and torrential
downpours from dangerous cyclones coming in off the Indian Ocean.

Kerala's climate is neither too hot nor too cold because of its proximity to the sea. The
average maximum daily temperature is around 37°C, and the minimum is 19.8°C.

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Landscape and Site condition:
➢ A seamless and organic fusion with nature, architectural design transcends
convention, offering an open and seamless transition between its spaces. From
the entrance to the dining and lounge areas, guests are invited to move
effortlessly through the retreat, forming a connection with the abundant flora at
every step.
➢ The intelligently crafted spatial arrangement emphasizes an interactive flow
between communal spaces, granting guests an effortless opportunity to explore
and engage with the environment.
➢ The resort accommodations, strategically placed along the site's natural contours,
encompass standard rooms with lake-view balconies and independent cottages
featuring open corridors..

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Site Planning

Club Mahindra Ashtamudi Resort is located on the bank of Ashtamudi Lake, the
restaurant along with the common spaces are at the core and the guest accomodation
floating cottage are distributed on the periphery.

Eleven floating cottages overlooking the lake along with the villas accommodate the
guests, dining area and other amenities including the activity zone is situated behind
these cottages.

The current site plan required interventions in the landscape to enhance biodiversity. By
observing the land around and through a biodiversity survey local flora and fauna were
identified.
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Sustainable Architecture and Design
➢ The project has adopted Vernacular architectural elements and reflects the
characteristics of the local environment, culture and materials.
➢ In the resort with the usage of Kerala’s local architecture patterns the attempt was
made to create a space for presence, the interaction of people, and a
comprehensive touch of Kerala’s local architecture up close.
➢ This presence differs from presence in hotels and other frequent residential places’
lobbies, and it is accompanied by an immediate understanding of space. Every
space offers a different experience.
➢ The version of Dravidian architecture found in Kerala is significantly in all the
building structures of this resort.
➢ Sloping roofs with projecting eaves dominate the outline, often arranged in a
number of tiers. As an adaption to the heavy monsoon rainfall.
➢ The primary elements are generally the same in all structures. The base model
consists of a plain circular, square or rectangular shape with a ribbed roof, for
functional reasons.
➢ The distinctive visual form of Kerala architecture is the long, steep sloping roof built
to protect the house's walls withstand heavy monsoons, normally laid with tiles or a
thatched labyrinth of palm leaves, supported on a roof frame made of hardwood
and timber.

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Light and Ventilation
➢ The resort provides adequate air quality, but also access to daylight and views,
pleasant acoustic conditions, and occupant control over lighting and thermal
comfort.
➢ It also includes the functional aspects of space such as whether the layout
provides easy access to tools and people when needed and whether there is
sufficient space for occupants.

➢ The atrium in the centre of the

building has a free vertical
facade towards south west and a
shed (slanting) roof.
➢ The atrium has direct
connections to almost all other
rooms, which is an important
feature for the ventilation
strategy of the building.
➢ All the common areas are
naturally ventilated favoured by
the climate of the Kerala.

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Indoor and outdoor environment quality
The resort provides adequate air
quality, but also access to daylight
and views, pleasant acoustic
conditions, and occupant control
over lighting and thermal comfort. It
also includes the functional aspects
of space such as whether the layout
provides easy access to tools and
people when needed and whether
there is sufficient space for
occupants..

All the floating villas and the main

resort building have view of the vast
Ashtamudi lake.The orientation of
the individual corridors features
interesting views. Carefully
designed daylighting system saves
energy, realises an agreeable
working climate and leads to
improved indoor experience.

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Building materials and resources
➢ Athangudi tiles: Locally sourced
➢ Wooden walls: Reclaimed wood used for the structural framework of a building or
the framework of the interiors such as door and window frames.
➢ Wooden furniture: Cross laminated timber and Reclaimed wood
➢ Clay tiles: Used for roofing and flooring, clay tiles are supported by a wooden
framework of beams and rafters. The sloping design of the tiles helps rainwater
drain off easily, and the tiles can also help keep the interior cool. The influence of
internal courtyard of Kerala traditional residential buildings in providing a
comfortable indoor environment. The roofline projects out to shade the walls from
rain and sun and also creates large shadows preventing direct sunlight on the
home's walls.
➢ Interlocking concrete blocks: These blocks can be used to construct walls without
cement mortar, and the interlocking feature saves time when laying bricks.
Laterite stone, which is often used in these blocks, helps keep homes cool.

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Water efficiency
Water conservation
The following water-efficient fixtures and
fittings are used to reduce water consumption
while maintaining or even improving
performance.
➢ Water Saving Faucet Aerators.
➢ Low-flow Showerheads.
➢ Dual Flush Water Efficient toilets.
Small wastewater treatment systems are
biological wastewater treatment systems are
installed for up to 50 residents . The quality of
effluent water meets hygiene and water
management requirements.
All wastewater systems are operated by valves
on the manifold . The source of air is air blower
with minimized power consumption . Blower runs
on time cycles and is usually placed outside the
water treatment system.

Rainwater harvesting

Rain water harvesting is done in the S block terrace

and central facility blocks are collected and stored
in underground tank capacity of 86kl.

The Ashtamudi Lake is the major source meeting

the need of the water requirement of the resort,
along with the borewells.

However, water harvesting isn’t a major

consideration as Kerala is the land of water
resources with high rainfall, rivers, backwaters, lakes
and many streams.

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Green building guidelines
➢ Integrated BMS
➢ Lighting Power Density (LPD) is 50% lower than ECBC baselines
➢ CFC and HCFC free HVAC systems
➢ E-vehicles for movement within premises
➢ Organic garden
➢ Solar panels
➢ Wastewater treatment
➢ Sensor operated water faucets and lights
➢ Minimization of Food Wastage
➢ Zero Waste sent to landfill
➢ Use of biodegradable laundry bags

Energy efficiency
➢ Integrated on the south oriented part of the roof are photovoltaic panels.
➢ All occupied spaces are lit by daylight. Non dazzling roof windows provide extra
daylight from above.
➢ Central showpiece is the courtyard. All lightings are regulated by electronic daylight
sensors.
➢ Both passive and active solar energy technologies are used. Passive through south
oriented windows in the common spaces, bedrooms and the corridors. Active with
solar collector on the southern part of the main building to heat the water for the
showers.
➢ The comparatively costly solar water heating was felt to be justified when
considering that in an 'ecological' building a solar collector is a must.
➢ Windows are situated in such way that adequate natural ventilation in the bedrooms
is secured.
➢ In the restaurant an additional mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery
had to be installed, although natural ventilation would have been sufficient. The
heating system is based on a gas-fired condensing boiler, using low-temperature
wall radiators to improve the energy efficiency. In order to avoid injury and pollution
the radiators are placed under the wall surface. Blinds, lighting, heating and
ventilation are individually controlled by the user. As a result the total energy
demand is low when compared to conventional building.
➢ To significantly reduce the total energy use in this project, several technologies are
used. Such as energy conservation, daylighting, passive solar, active solar and
photovoltaics, in combination.

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SITE
Project Details:
Waghoba Ecolodge Resort / Biome Environmental Solutions
Architects: Biome Environmental Solutions
Area: 3085 m²
Year: 2021

Site location and connectivity:

Talu Bhadrawati, Tadoba, Maharashtra

Closest Train stations

Closest Airport
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Micro Climate

Summer (March to June):

- Temperature: Can reach up to 45°C (113°F) in May.
- Characteristics: Hot and dry; high humidity levels can make it feel even hotter.

Monsoon (June to September):

- Rainfall: The city receives significant rainfall, averaging around 1,200 mm (47 inches)
during this period.
- Temperature: Cooler than summer, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C
(77°F to 95°F).
- Characteristics: Frequent heavy rains, with thunderstorms common.

Post-Monsoon (October to November):

- Temperature: Generally pleasant, around 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F).
- Characteristics: Lower humidity and clear skies make this a favorable time to visit.

Winter (December to February):

- Temperature: Cooler temperatures, ranging from 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F).
- Characteristics: Mild and dry; this is considered the best time to visit Nagpur.

Summary
Overall, the region experiences extreme temperatures in summer, a significant
monsoon season, and mild winters, making it a town of varied climatic conditions
throughout the year.

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Landscape and Site condition:
➢ For biodiversity to flourish it was essential to incorporate a water body in the
semi-arid climate of this region. In the summer temperature here rises to 48 °C. By
identifying the existing bund and desilting the channels a lake was made at the
entrance of the resort.
➢ This lake stored the rainwater and treated wastewater. Additional afforestation
with indigenous plant species provides a green corridor for the fauna to approach
the lake.
➢ This lake now is home to a plethora of birds and animals.A lookout hide has been
introduced in the design for enthusiasts and professional wildlife photographers to
watch the fauna in its own habitat.

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Site Planning

➢ Waghoba ecolodge is a resort contiguous to the forest buffer of Tadoba wildlife

sanctuary in the state of Maharashtra India.
➢ The target clientele for the property is wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.
The brief required a 16-cottage resort with responsible tourism at its core.
➢ The developers sought to restore the previously cultivated land to its original state
of being a deciduous forest as part of their ecological intentions. This required
interventions in the landscape to enhance biodiversity. By observing the land
around and through a biodiversity survey local flora and fauna were identified.

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Light and Ventilation
➢ The guests are accommodated
in the cottages placed along the
east-west axis at the core of the
property.
➢ Each cottage has large openings
in the north and south shaded by
deep verandahs. Both the study
desk and bed view the buffer
areas giving an experience of
living in the forest. As the peak
season for safaris is summer the
buildings are designed to reduce
the cooling loads by using
passive strategies.
➢ Composite stone and adobe
walls on the east and west side
reduce the heat gain. Toilet and
the changing area shield the
room from the western sun.
➢ A small skylit roof with heat
reflective glass near the vanity
wash basins brings in an ample
amount of light inside the toilet
area.
➢ A vaulted roof made of conical
pottery tiles with air gaps
between and ceramic mosaic on
top insulates the interior spaces
from the incidental heat from
the rooftop.
➢ All the spaces are provided with
natural ventilation , access to
daylight and views, pleasant
acoustic conditions, and
occupant control over lighting
and thermal comfort.

15
Building Orientation (Guest Accommodation)
➢ The guests are
accommodated in
the cottages placed
along the east-west
axis at the core of
the property.
➢ The brief required a
16-cottage resort
with responsible
tourism at its core.

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Building Orientation (Staff Housing)
● Staff housing on the west is carefully located to provide quiet space and privacy
to its occupants while they are resting during breaks.

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Rainwater harvesting:

Water from the staff housing roof is harvested

and stored in the 0.1million liter of the water
storage tank.
Wastewater treatment:

All the sewage water from the property is

treated using a plant-based water treatment
system PHYTORID developed by National
Environmental Engineering Institute NEERI and
is subsequently used for growing the organic
vegetables and the forest on the property.

Thermal Comfort:

As the peak season for safaris is summer the

buildings are designed to reduce the cooling
loads by using passive strategies. Composite
stone and adobe walls on the east and west
side reduce the heat gain.

Natural light and ventilation:

All the spaces are provided with natural

ventilation , access to daylight and views,
pleasant acoustic conditions, and occupant
control over lighting and thermal comfort.

Passive design strategies:

Composite stone and adobe walls on the east
and west side reduce the heat gain. Toilet and
the changing area shield the room from the
western sun. A small skylit roof with heat
reflective glass near the vanity wash basins
brings in an ample amount of light inside the
toilet area. A vaulted roof made of conical
pottery tiles with air gaps between and
ceramic mosaic on top insulates the interior
spaces from the incidental heat from the
rooftop.

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Building materials and resources
➢ The interior finishes of the guest areas continue the same color palette of light to
dark brown and terracotta reds. The floor with golden brown Kota (limestone)
blends well with the adobe walls.
➢ The vaulted roofs were done in collaboration with the Centre for Science for
Villages (CSV) Wardha.
➢ The terracotta red roof tiles are locally sourced

Integrated design approach

Since most buildings even in the rural area are adopting RCC construction these skills
are dying out. As locals migrate and agricultural activity reduces the desilting of lakes
stops. The non-desilting leads to a drop in aquifer recharge.

Use of terracotta was consciously made to make the facility part of a virtual cycle. The
facility to showcases that ecological architecture is in sync with the ecosystem.

The organization worked on Gandhian principles and values.

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