The Elephant Pavilion: Architecture for Wildlife
A working prototype in Pollachi that treats the forest edge as a living partner, blurring the line between human shelter and wildlife corridor.
The pavilion's form is a direct response to the site. It sits low against the landscape, with a green roof that merges with the terrain, creating a structure that is felt more than it is seen, respecting the elephant trail it borders.
The building's exterior is defined by natural materials and a curving form that follows the land's contours. This approach minimizes visual disruption and helps the structure settle quietly into its forest-edge setting.
From the outside, a semi-transparent screen offers a glimpse into the pavilion's dining area while maintaining a sense of enclosure. The design balances the need for shelter with a constant connection to the surrounding environment.
Here, the architecture becomes landscape. An oculus in the roof opens to the sky, while the earth-covered structure creates a cool, subterranean feel, demonstrating how a building can be both a shelter and a piece of the natural terrain.
A detail of the interior, where the warm tones of timber and the layered texture of rammed earth come together. The spiral staircase is not just for circulation; it is a sculptural element that guides movement and frames views.
Light filters through the slatted timber screens, casting dynamic shadows and creating a gentle transition between the interior and the forest outside. The space is designed to feel open and continuous, without rigid boundaries.
The interior includes custom-designed furniture that is both functional and sculptural. These seating elements invite pause and observation, creating informal zones for learning and reflection within the larger open space.
This view showcases the multi-level design, which allows for various activities to occur simultaneously. Visitors can observe wildlife from different heights, creating a rich, layered experience of the surrounding habitat.
The main circulation path is defined by a gracefully curving spiral staircase. It connects the different levels of the pavilion while serving as a central organizing element within the open, flowing interior space.
The communal dining area is designed for shared experiences. Custom hanging lights illuminate the space at night, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere that remains connected to the sounds and feelings of the forest.
About The Elephant Pavilion: Architecture for Wildlife
We chose rammed earth for the pavilion not just for its aesthetic, but for its functional thermal mass, which keeps the interior cool without mechanical intervention even in the heat of Pollachi. The building does not demand attention, but rather respects the site's natural rhythm, allowing forest corridors to remain uninterrupted while providing a safe vantage point for researchers and visitors.
The Elephant Pavilion was born from a specific question: how do we build within an active elephant trail without claiming the land as our own? The answer lay in a sectional design that follows the rise and fall of the forest floor, ensuring the structure sits low, hidden from the horizon.
Designing for the Forest Edge
Architecture in wildlife zones requires a shift in priorities. We focused on transparency and permeability. By using timber screens and a layout that allows air to move freely, the pavilion remains naturally ventilated. The choice of rammed earth connects the building physically to the ground it rests upon, creating a texture that feels like part of the terrain rather than an imported element.
Architecture as a Buffer
This project serves as a model for low-impact tourism. The floor plate is fragmented to keep trees standing, and the entrance is not a grand threshold but a continuation of the landscape. We treated the circulation as a sequence of observations—ramps and staircases are placed to offer views of the canopy, encouraging visitors to move slowly and quietly. Every join, light fixture, and seating ledge was custom-designed to support the daily work of conservationists and forest guards, proving that environmental sensitivity can coexist with rigorous function.
SIAN Architects
We’re Surbhi and Deepanshu of SIAN Architects. We start every project by walking the land, listening to where the wind moves and where the shadows fall. We don't just build structures; we craft spaces that feel like they belong to the site.
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