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THE BHOPAL RETREAT

“How do you set a process that allows for an expression of regard, guidance, and investigation in the making of a weekend space that aligns itself within the context of the surroundings that have been provided?”

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It was some time ago that the studio was invited to design a weekend home for a family in Bhopal. The site itself sat at the edge of a huge forest, and water as well. However, due to the configuration of the land, neither could be perceived. As a result, siting became crucial to the process of design

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 Location
Bhopal
Typology
Weekend Home
Site area
15.3 Acres
Built area
0.74 Acres
 

Unlike in the Studio’s other undertakings, there was a lack of acquaintanceship with the contractors, as a result of which they were unfamiliar with the working process of the Studio; traversing this gap became significant. This meant that there was a need to invest due time in training and teaching - for both, as it pertained to landscape, as well as architecture.

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Landscape India Project Image

Conversely, the patrons were absolutely steadfast in their belief of what they wanted in a space such as this. That led to various conversations whose intention was to arrive at a balanced resolution that was always in service of the larger intent of the process of design, and making.

As we progressed, options that experimented with form, and location were developed in the effecting of the Master Plan for this 15.30-acre site. Having conducted studies to understand the land, its layout and movements, it was decided that the siting of this weekend home would take place along the cusp of the right-angle.

Landscape India Project Image
Landscape India Project Image

To begin the conceptualisation of the landscape, alternatives were envisioned - some a representation of the tribes and culture of Bhopal, and Madhya Pradesh, others that celebrated its ecological vignettes, and yet others that rejoiced what the land already had on offer. Ultimately, it was determined that the landscape be divided into five primary components - the entrance and the driveway, the living space and the congregation space, entrance porch and the driveway, the fourth being dining space and pool, and the last being the stepped gardens.

The land, of course, has many existent trees, and it became crucial to devise design interventions that incorporated the trees into the composition of the landscape. A storm water channel went through the land, and that was tapped to ultimately create a waterbody that ran along the land. The built was imagined as a set of elevated but connected pavilions - each performing an independent function, with a similar architectural language that bound them; elevated such that they allowed the landscape to be heeded. The program for the home included bedrooms, living and office spaces, a sunken dining court, a pool with change rooms, family spaces, transition spaces, and walkways. 

Landscape India Project Image
Landscape India Project Image

With a constant interaction, in one way or another, between the landscape and the built - the home is now an apparatus by which to experience what it is engulfed by; forming almost seamless boundaries between these carefully curated spaces, and these natural embodiments.

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As time progressed, and with the completion of the construction of the built, the studio was also tasked with designing the interior spaces of this weekend retreat. A few approaches were explored - some that functioned as a means by which to accentuate the existent spaces, others that created independent narratives inspired from the art and craft of Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh.

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Landscape India Project Image

However, after due discussion, the patrons determined that the approaches presented were exceptionally resolute and adventuresome. As a result, the scope of the studio remained reserved to the landscape design, and architecture.

It has now been some time since the culmination of the process. With time, conversations have led to a mutual increase in regard between the studio, and the patrons - with them becoming close acquaintances of the studio.

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More than the making of a weekend home nestled within a forest, this has been a process in learning, conversation, and forgoing predetermined conceptions.

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WEEKEND HOMES
Project

WEEKEND HOMES

 A LANDSCAPE FOR LIVING
Project

A LANDSCAPE FOR LIVING

Mr. bhagwat writes, as part of a book published by birkhauser, inclusive of 49 other contributors, 5 things a practicing landscape designer - in this time, and age - must know.
Column

Mr. bhagwat writes, as part of a book published by birkhauser, inclusive of 49 other contributors, 5 things a practicing landscape designer - in this time, and age - must know.