Immersive Hospitality and Leisure Retreats
We design hospitality spaces that serve as extensions of their landscape. For us, a resort or hotel should not just house guests; it should offer a serene, immersive escape rooted in its local context.
The spa complex at Club Mahindra's Lake Pawana resort is centered around this still expanse of water. The design creates a profound sense of serenity, with the architecture and its reflection merging to form a tranquil, meditative space.
Another view of the spa at Lake Pawana, where the water reflects the clean lines of the building and the surrounding trees. I designed this space to be a sanctuary, a place where guests can disconnect and find peace.
This architectural section of the Club Mahindra Tungi Resort shows how the buildings are perched on the hillside to maximize views of Pawna Lake. The design works with the steep slope, creating a layered experience that is shaped by the landscape.
At the Rambagh Palace Hotel, a project from 1973, my approach was to convert a historic palace into a five-star hotel while retaining its original charm. This view through a scalloped arch frames the magnificent courtyard, a key part of the guest experience.
The exterior of the Rambagh Palace Hotel showcases the grandeur of Rajput architecture. My additions were minimal and designed to be in harmony with the original structure, preserving the building's majestic character.
At Yashraj Studios, the landscape design creates a green buffer from the city. The lush lawns and mature trees provide a calm and inspiring environment that supports the creative processes happening within the state-of-the-art film studio.
Function becomes art with this ceramic mosaic seating at Yashraj Studios. The colorful patterns complement the studio's creative purpose, turning a simple bench into a piece of storytelling that reflects the vibrancy of the Indian film industry.
About Immersive Retreats: Hospitality & Leisure
Instead of imposing structures, we study the sun-path and wind patterns of your site first. At our Club Mahindra Lake Pawana project, we perched the spa on the hillside specifically to frame the water and minimize excavation, creating a sanctuary that feels like it grew directly from the forest floor.
When we approach hospitality design, the goal is to blur the boundaries between architecture and nature. Whether we are masterplanning a new resort or refurbishing a historic property like the Rambagh Palace, our philosophy remains the same: the landscape is the primary amenity.
Our Core Design Principles
- Contextual Sensitivity: We work with the terrain, not against it. By analyzing site contours and biodiversity, we ensure our structures preserve the existing ecosystem rather than displacing it.
- Biophilic Integration: Guests visit resorts to disconnect and recharge. We incorporate water features, natural ventilation, and shaded corridors to create a microclimate that promotes wellness and calm.
- Materiality and Craft: From the stone used in walkways to the timber composites in our boardwalks, we prioritize materials that age gracefully and ground the project in its local setting.
- Historical Continuity: In projects like our 1973 conversion of the Rambagh Palace, we demonstrated that modern luxury and heritage conservation can coexist. Our additions are always minimal, designed to respect the original architectural language while enhancing the guest experience for modern standards.
We don't just design buildings; we design the experience of arriving, relaxing, and reconnecting with the environment. Every sketch, section, and plan is developed to ensure the final structure feels like it truly belongs to the land.
IMK Architects
We are IMK Architects, a Mumbai-based firm with 65 years of history in shaping environments that foster well-being. We view architecture as a dialogue between client, context, and community, focusing on spaces that feel alive and deeply connected to their surroundings.
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