Tucked away on a private forest-facing plot in the serene hills of Ooty, The Archescape Retreat is a thoughtfully planned boutique resort that celebrates both modern spatial solutions and local vernacular heritage. Overlooking a lush, dense forest canopy, the project is set on a rectangular site with natural terrain variation, where 2/3rd of the land is raised by approximately 1.5 meters.

Material Palette

The material selection is rooted in sustainability, warmth, and texture:

Exposed concrete textures for a modern, raw finish
Lime wash textures for breathability and timeless charm
Natural brick masonry to ground the building in regional character
Minimal aluminium-framed windows for lightness and clarity.

Design Intent
This retreat blends ethnic character with modern comfort, adapting to the site’s natural slope and future expansion needs. Each unit offers privacy, rhythm, and harmony, with design choices—from vaulted roofs to green terraces—focused on guest experience and sustainability.

Add a Title

Shared Features Across All Units

Private entrances and secluded chill-out spaces for each unit
Forest-facing balconies for all mezzanine units, shielded by extended side walls for added privacy
Double-height living rooms in Layouts 1 and 2, complete with statement chandeliers
Independent access, ensuring both seclusion and security

Tropical Suites

Location

Kil Kotagiri, Bhavanisagar Viewpoint, Tamil Nadu

Site Area

2,500 sqft

Year

2024

Project Type

Hospitality Development

Theme

Modern Vernacular with Rythemic Symmetry

Layout 01 - Vaulted Harmony with Ethnic Soul

Drawing inspiration from the Toda tribal architecture, this layout features a striking barrel-vaulted roof, a subtle nod to the region’s ethnic roots. The structure includes a ground floor with a double-height living room (15 ft), a walk-in wardrobe, bathroom, and a stairway to a mezzanine bedroom.

Large aluminium-framed windows and private balconies open to breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. This unit is designed as a multi-use space, comfortably accommodating 4–5 guests, with provisions for a sofa-cum-bed in the living area. Four such vaulted units are clustered to form a rhythmic, sculptural façade that blends beautifully with the landscape.

Layout 01 - Vaulted Harmony with Ethnic Soul

The second layout follows a three-level zoning strategy.

Ground Floor: Living room; First Floor: Bathroom with walk-in wardrobe; Second Floor: Mezzanine-level bedroom

Layout 02 - Modern Terraced Living

This flat-roof unit features a terrace garden that also serves as a future balcony space. Designed for 4–5 guests, it includes floor-to-ceiling aluminium windows and double-height living areas, offering immersive forest views and a strong architectural rhythm.

Designed for 4–5 guests, this vaulted unit features private balconies and expansive windows framing forest views. Grouped in sets of four, the units form a sculptural, rhythmic façade that harmonizes with the landscape.

Ideal for couples or solo travelers, the third layout is a single-floor plan offering a bedroom with an attached toilet and walk-in wardrobe. It accommodates 2–3 guests and is intentionally minimal in form while maintaining the same level of privacy, comfort, and connection to the surrounding landscape as its multi-level counterparts.

Layout 03 - Cozy, Grounded & Minimal

Tropical Suites

All 3 layouts displayed in order as proposed after several iterations.

Layout One – Vaulted Harmony with Ethnic Soul

Drawing inspiration from the Toda tribal architecture, this layout features a striking barrel-vaulted roof, a subtle nod to the region’s ethnic roots. The structure includes a ground floor with a double-height living room (15 ft), a walk-in wardrobe, bathroom, and a stairway to a mezzanine bedroom. Large aluminium-framed windows and private balconies open to breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. This unit is designed as a multi-use space, comfortably accommodating 4–5 guests, with provisions for a sofa-cum-bed in the living area. Four such vaulted units are clustered to form a rhythmic, sculptural façade that blends beautifully with the landscape.

Layout One – Vaulted Harmony with Ethnic Soul

Drawing inspiration from the Toda tribal architecture, this layout features a striking barrel-vaulted roof, a subtle nod to the region’s ethnic roots. The structure includes a ground floor with a double-height living room (15 ft), a walk-in wardrobe, bathroom, and a stairway to a mezzanine bedroom. Large aluminium-framed windows and private balconies open to breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. This unit is designed as a multi-use space, comfortably accommodating 4–5 guests, with provisions for a sofa-cum-bed in the living area. Four such vaulted units are clustered to form a rhythmic, sculptural façade that blends beautifully with the landscape.