The Waterwoods Kabini resort designed by Mistry Architects and set amidst a deciduous forest, is completely unified with the existing buildings and landscape, with the planning program sensitive to the lay of the land, the surrounding ecosystem, sight/view lines, and the existing building footprint

Sylvan Setting

Fact File
Name of project: Waterwoods Lodge and Resorts Pvt. Ltd.
Location: Karapura, Mysore District, Karnataka
Client: Pavan Kapoor
Area site: 56933.8 sq.ft
Total occupied area: 21025.25 sq.ft
Design Team: Ar. Sharukh Mistry, Ar.Deepa S.Wani, & Vishwanath K.B
PHE & Electrical consultant: Meca Project Engineers
Structural: Cruthi Consultants
Year of completion: May 2015
Photos: Umeed Mistry

Sylvan Setting

A pedestrian entry from the north-east through a landscaped walkway leads to the reception and waiting area which is a semi-covered space. Through a koi fish pond, one walks into the 9-bedroom lodging facility, wherein all rooms overlook the pool and the river beyond on the south and spills into the surrounding landscape with deep decks. Common spaces include a spa, library, bar, gym and terraces with anti-skid, natural stone flooring.

High pitched steel roofs, floor to ceiling openings and double heights enhance the volumes, which invite the surrounding green and water indoors. Deep overhangs for all openings prevent the rains from lashing in. The pool with an invisible edge accentuates the depth of the site along the waterfront. A semi-covered dining deck is designed at the water edge.
Sharukh and Deepa

A sustainable design approach, making the best use of natural sources and using locally available materials and manpower was the key intent. The water, the landscape and the sky inspired us!

Ar. Sharukh Mistry, Ar. Deepa S Wani

The kitchen and secondary spaces are located centrally and with separate external access for ease of service. The 6-bedroom block along the west angles out into the water with high split level roofs with thatch. An underlay of bamboo filters light and green into these spaces with large decks and terraces for star gazing nights. All toilets are finished with rustic materials and look out into the green with outdoor rain showers.

Nature inspired imprints (animal footprints, leaves etc.) adorn floors, roof slab, light fixtures etc. Use of solar power, effective water separation, recycle and reuse systems, turbo vents that run on wind energy, and sun tubes are some of the green technologies incorporated in the design. Adequate slopes and berms drain the surface runoff water.

Sylvan Setting

Eco-friendly solutions

Locally available materials and vernacular construction techniques
Thatch tied with fish net for roof cover
Treated bamboo for roof underlays, vertical screens and doors
Boulders from nearby quarry for structural support systems
Mud plastered walls
Cuddapah, kota, slate, cement floors and finishes
Timber slabs for staircase treads, ledges and flooring
Solar power and turbo vents