WELLNESS RETREAT
GALLU, HIMACHAL PARDESH
Set against the steep, pine-covered slopes of Gallu, Himachal Pradesh, the proposed Wellness Retreat creates a sanctuary that treads lightly on the dramatic landscape. The master plan weaves together a network of nine private residential cottages, a restorative spa, and a main community hub featuring a library, lounge, and dining spaces. The design employs angular, geometric volumes that orient large glazing towards panoramic views, fostering a deep, restorative connection between the user and the serenity of the natural environment.
Project Type
Hospitality/Landscape
Company
Common Ground Practice, India
Supervisor
Priyamwada Singh
Role
Design Assistance, SD Drawings & Renders
Time
Summer 2024
To mitigate the impact on the sensitive topography, the structures utilise a stilt foundation system, allowing the natural terrain and vegetation to flow uninterrupted beneath the built forms.
The master plan weaves a winding circulation spine that connects dispersed private cottages with communal gathering spaces, fostering a cohesive retreat experience.
Type 1 Floor Plan
Type 2 Floor Plan
Employing angular, faceted geometries, the floor plans break away from a rigid grid to nestle distinctively between existing trees, orienting internal spaces to frame specific views of the Himalayan landscape.
Type 1 Elevations
Type 2 Elevations
Defined by sharp, angular rooflines and expansive glazing, the elevations showcase a series of stilted volumes that perch lightly upon the steep slope, minimising ground contact while maximising the visual connection to the surrounding pine forest.
Type 1 Render View A
Type 1 Render View B
The design utilizes a palette of locally sourced stone masonry to ground the structures in their vernacular context, contrasting these heavy textures with the lightness of steel framing and extensive glazing to frame the surrounding wilderness.
Type 2 Render View A
Type 2 Render View B
Visualised as rendered sketches, the imagery captures the ideological essence of the design, prioritising the architectural narrative and spatial form over photorealistic representation.