Manja Spa

Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade

MANJA SPA

PLAYGROUP Studio + AHCPL

ARCHITECTS
Ahcpl, Playgroup Studio

AREA
6000 ft²

YEAR
2016

PHOTOGRAPHS
Ravindra Kanade

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Harsh Patel

INTERIOR DESIGN
Rajesh Patel Consultants

MANUFACTURERS
Kohler, Saint-Gobain, Villeroy & Boch, Boch, Natural Indian Sandstones (Jaisalmer, Kota, Chocolate Andhra)

CIVIL CONTRACTOR
KAP Constructions

MASTER PLANNING
Abdul Hameed Consultants Pvt Ltd.

STRUCTURAL
Abdul Hameed Consultants Pvt Ltd.

HVAC
Abdul Hameed Consultants Pvt Ltd.

MASTER PLANNING + STRUCTURAL + HVAC
Abdul Hameed Consultants Pvt Ltd.

STRUCTURAL GLASS
Excel

CLIENT
IBNII Resort

LOCATION
Ibnivalvadi Rural, India

CATEGORY
Spa, Wellness Interiors

Text description provided by architect.

Surrounded by dense foliage around, the Spa complex at IBNII Resort was chosen to be located in one of the few clearings in the forest where, coffee estate workers’ quarters, once stood. The complex is designed as fragmented blocks, floating within a central water body, connected through elevated walkways.

Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade
Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade

The intention was to connect distinct architectural spaces, uniquely, to natural elements – central court to the sky above, Massage rooms to the pond and corridors to the forest.

The most unique feature of the design, is the steep 45-degree single lean-to roofs, the eaves of which almost touch the water below. They are designed on either side of the central courtyard converging into the water and opening the central space to the expanse of clear skies, which is a rare experience within the 110 acres, densely forested, site that this resort is located in.

Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade
Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade

These roofs practically act as the walls to the massage rooms, directing one’s view down to the water body and effectively sheltering the privacy of the user by cutting the view from the courtyard and the corridors outside.

Natural light is brought into these rooms by opening up the upper portion of the roofs.

Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade
Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade
Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade

The edge of the pond underneath the roof is designed as a seat such that one can sit with their feet immersed in the water pond.

The bare cuboidal objects, housing the sauna, toilets, changing rooms and herbal bath, are carefully placed in relation to each other between the converging roofs to capture glimpses of the forest while navigating through the corridors.

The blocks are designed and positioned in close proximity such that their openings face blank walls allowing the individual rooms to open up and internalize the natural elements while maintaining their privacy levels.

Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade
Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade
Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade

The corridors are finished with a combination of local stones – Jaisalmer, Chocolate Andhra, Kadappa of varying widths with in-situ white marble chip filling.

The two sloping roofs are covered with overlapped Himachal Slate Stones.

Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade
Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade
Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade
Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade
Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade

Central Pavilion floor is made with Structural Glass to view the Water lilies and the fish which populate the pond.


Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade
Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade
Manja Spa
© Ravindra Kanade


Manja Spa
Aerial View
Manja Spa
Floor Plan


Manja Spa
Section 1
Manja Spa
Section 2
Manja Spa
Elevation