---
title: "TARA Kotagiri Resort Renovation by Senscape Architects"
description: "See how we transformed a dilapidated Nilgiris property into TARA, a sustainable boutique resort, using local earth and rearchitecture principles."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/senscapearchitects/renovation-adaptive-reuse/tara-kotagiri-a-resort-reimagined
last_updated: 2025-09-04
---

# TARA Kotagiri: Rearchitecting a Boutique Resort in the Nilgiris

Tribe Verified · Resort renovation completed in Kotagiri, Nilgiris.

By [Senscape](https://mytribe.in/senscapearchitects) · Office in Basavanagudi; Projects in Bengaluru, Coimbatore & Kotagiri · ₹1,900 per sq. ft. of carpet area (estimate)

Part of [Renovation & Adaptive Reuse](https://mytribe.in/senscapearchitects/renovation-adaptive-reuse). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/senscapearchitects/renovation-adaptive-reuse/gallery)

We transformed a dilapidated facility into a private retreat by honoring the Nilgiri landscape and reshaping the existing structure.

## Photos and videos

- [Video: This video shows the dramatic transformation of the TARA resort. From the original bright red buildings, we created a structure that uses natural color palettes and materials like stone and wood to blend seamlessly with the mountain environment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6e4f281a-7127-456a-a7c5-c2cd984e1ba3)
- ![A collage showing the project in progress. You can see the original structure being enveloped by the new design, the introduction of terracotta roof tiles, and the circular window detail that frames the Nilgiri hills, illustrating our process of adaptive reuse.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f676bba0-16fa-4a0d-bcdc-437a7099b7e7)
- ![Here, we are adding a new floor to the existing structure. The outwardly protruding columns on the ground floor are being camouflaged with recessed half-cut bricks, a technique we used to create a 'Brick Frame' that adds texture and visual rhythm to the facade.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b8ff4ca0-62b3-456b-8c5a-fd79926f17a4)
- ![A close-up of the recessed brickwork detail. This level of craftsmanship is central to our work, turning a simple structural element into a decorative feature that plays with light and shadow.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/77cb41e0-0b34-46a6-9cf0-20c0df3f7ba0)
- ![We explored using wooden textured concrete for some of the walls. This technique allows us to achieve the raw, organic texture of wood with the durability of concrete, adding another layer to the material palette of the resort.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fc5de8e3-ea2e-4768-b0fa-6f95f7ff9ccb)
- ![The resort during the final stages of landscaping. The curving stone and brick retaining walls are designed to follow the natural contours of the land, creating terraced gardens that will soon be filled with local flora.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3e1902fe-d323-4e58-9e9a-418830e42d6b)
- ![A finished view of one of the private suites, featuring a curved cantilevered balcony. This element provides a private outdoor space for guests while creating a dynamic architectural form against the rugged stone retaining walls.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5e53c282-2eb7-4a0a-b277-0d62622368e2)
- ![The resort pathways at night. The lighting design is subtle, illuminating the stone walkways and steps to ensure safe navigation while maintaining a tranquil, low-light ambiance that respects the nocturnal environment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a2fdb4d6-68bf-4388-a988-87e13c9ec9e5)
- [Video: A video showcasing the resort's atmosphere after dark. The warm light on the wooden deck, the custom-made natural fiber light fixtures, and the illuminated pathways all contribute to a feeling of quiet elegance and serenity.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/992c0557-e377-414c-aa01-6c69fb69b69a)
- [Video: The resort enveloped in the morning mist of the Nilgiris. We designed the buildings to interact with the changing weather, making the fog and rain as much a part of the experience as the sunshine.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/caf79520-1d55-47b7-99d5-9b0fc86dfc4f)
- [Video: This video gives a tour of the finished resort, showing the relationship between the buildings, the open verandas, and the mountain views. The extensive use of wood, stone, and terracotta tiles creates a sense of warmth and timelessness.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/87316063-dfa0-410e-808d-f5d4625aeddf)
- [Video: A view of the completed landscaping at TARA Kotagiri. The winding stone paths, tiered gardens, and Japanese-inspired stone lanterns create a meditative journey through the property, connecting the different residential units.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ce636288-cdee-43e2-8a18-7523621ce342)
- ![An evening view of the terraced layout of the resort. Each level is carefully planned to ensure privacy for the occupants while offering expansive views of the surrounding landscape.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8be73841-e2e2-4c57-9aae-d304a31229f0)
- [Video: A walkthrough of the finished pathways and gardens. The design integrates hardscaping like stone paths with softscaping like rolling grass mounds and native plantings, creating a balanced and harmonious environment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e9f1b4e2-291e-45f1-a087-e79156845025)
- ![A detail shot during construction, focusing on the material palette. The combination of the raw red earth, the hand-laid stone wall, and the smooth wooden porch with a woven chair hints at the final rustic and refined aesthetic.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/40fb40e4-4dc2-465c-a8de-759f7f18aace)
- ![Rain falling on the new terracotta roof tiles. Our designs embrace the elements, and details like deep eaves and effective water drainage are crucial in a hill station environment, making the sound of rain a soothing feature.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f93a4f6f-a715-479f-8b25-673e673bbaa3)
- ![A view of the stone pathway and entrance gate under construction. This image shows the raw materials and foundational work that underpins the finished, polished aesthetic of the resort.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7e1f69f3-dbca-42b4-83e3-9f5d49bb35b7)
- ![A mason at work, carefully applying the brick cladding to a column. This image captures the human element of construction and the skill required to execute our detailed designs.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ca96acfc-b1cb-4384-8cfd-150dabebcca2)
- ![A collage showing the various stages of brickwork. From cutting and shaping the bricks to carefully laying them, this showcases the labor-intensive process behind the 'Brick Frame' facade.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/04618b9b-9573-4589-be4a-97eab7a63cf8)
- ![A view from the new upper floor during construction. This perspective shows how the added level opens up to expansive views of the hills, a key objective of the renovation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/72ea7d82-90a5-4586-8dc6-8e2e1a1d3e60)
- ![Duplicate of ID 20.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6661fd78-6cd0-49e7-bddd-f038d204061c)
- ![Duplicate of ID 22.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b5d85cee-57cf-4915-9dc5-69e07fa7389c)
- ![Duplicate of ID 23.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0597f08c-3b56-4381-927f-9e4b8f1acd45)
- ![Duplicate of ID 28.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2f39fd26-9e03-407c-8b3a-11b00d928e37)
- ![Duplicate of ID 27.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0ac3b54e-7c67-458b-a946-7361da891ad6)
- ![Duplicate of ID 31.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2a4b2c09-4bee-4d7a-9f9f-9d117e9d48d1)
- ![Duplicate of ID 26.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/217908b0-8b88-4848-b46e-1047e1a5d0c0)
- ![Duplicate of ID 34.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b1e11762-5b84-4dcc-82a6-d9c5add74a97)
- ![Duplicate of ID 58.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9281bc16-e037-4976-9e89-4539c86ca541)

## About TARA Kotagiri: A Resort Reimagined

To integrate the new floor with the original structure at TARA, we moved away from standard cosmetic finishes. We used recessed half-cut bricks to create a 'Brick Frame' around the ground floor columns. This technique doesn't just camouflage the heavy structural elements; it adds a tactile, rhythmic texture to the facade that shifts with the play of light and shadow across the mountainside.

Our approach to TARA was an exercise in rearchitecture—the intentional act of reshaping an existing, weary form rather than dismantling it. When we first surveyed the site, we saw a dilapidated structure that needed to communicate with the Nilgiri terrain, not sit passively on top of it. 

We prioritized sustainability through local intervention. We sourced mud from the site itself for the plaster, ensuring the walls carry the literal color and composition of the land. The roof was reconstructed using treated timber and terracotta tiles, providing thermal insulation that remains effective in the cool mountain climate. We also replaced standard walls with clay jali blocks and large glazing, allowing the indoor environment to open up to the mist and greenery of the valley.

Every decision was guided by the need to balance privacy with openness. The curved stone retaining walls and terraced landscaping were engineered to follow the natural contours of the hill, creating individual private zones for guests. By mixing reclaimed railway wood for joinery with modern structural steel, we balanced a rustic aesthetic with the durability required for a high-traffic resort environment. This project serves as a case study for how we approach boutique resort design—balancing local environmental context, structural integrity, and the sensory experience of the resident.

## About Senscape

We are Senscape, and for us, renovation is about uncovering the soul of a structure. We spent our time at TARA reimagining how a building can breathe with the mountains, turning a weary property into a sanctuary of mud, stone, and silence.

[See all of Senscape's services](https://mytribe.in/senscapearchitects)

## More from Renovation & Adaptive Reuse by Senscape

- [Featured](https://mytribe.in/senscapearchitects/renovation-adaptive-reuse/featured)
- [Structural & Material Explorations](https://mytribe.in/senscapearchitects/renovation-adaptive-reuse/structural-material-explorations)

## More services by Senscape

- [Sustainable Architecture & Interior Design](https://mytribe.in/senscapearchitects/sustainable-architecture-interior-design)
- [Master Planning & Urban Design](https://mytribe.in/senscapearchitects/master-planning-urban-design)

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## Book

To book Senscape, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20TARA%20Kotagiri%20resort%20project%20and%20I'm%20interested%20in%20a%20renovation.%20Could%20we%20discuss%20your%20approach%20for%20a%20property%20I%20have%20in%20mind%3F)