the dukes retreat, khandala

Retreats are often organized in exotic beautiful locations to give individuals a sense of escapism. The Dukes Retreat is one such popular property, an epitome for serenity and tranquillity located in Khandala within the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. The brief was to enhance services for providing destination wedding, exotic theme parties, large corporate conferences, etc. whilst being nested among Mother Nature. The entrance spanning with a large sloping beak roof to primarily accommodate wedding processions in the arrival court to the premise. Connecting this court is an elevated covered wide access spine, ideated
around an existing water body and trees, which leads to three separate conference facility one side and flanged on the other side with pre-function spaces, toilets, and the kitchen. The same terminates to a valley facing lawn which escalates the panoramic view of the Ghats.
The extension of the banquet hall opens on to a semi open verandah with a stretched fabric roof as a buffer between the hall and the open greens. The overall expression of materiality in the project displayed a sense of nature in its rustic but luxurious state.