این مرکز اقامتی-سیاحتی در هندوستان چقدر خوب در بافت تاریخی بستر خودش نشسته؛ خالی مجموعه به خوبی به بافت تاریخی فرصت بروز داده، در عین حال متریال‌های به کار رفته در تناسب خیلی خوبی با فضاهای تاریخی هستند. دیدها خوبی رو برای محورهای اصلی و قاب‌های تصویری در معماری‌ش انتخاب کرده و عناصری مثل آب و چمن و ... به قدر و اندازه و خیلی باشخصیت در کار داره.
این آخری رو به خصوص باید خوب یاد بگیریم! یکی از معضلات امروز طراحی منظر شهری ما در ایران، طراحی شوخی و بی شخصیت همین عناصر یعنی آب و چمن و باغ‌چه و .... هاست. می گیرن با کاشی های استخری و  فواره های لوس و بدساخت و باغ‌چه های برآمده و سنگ کاری نامربوط و .... اصلا به کل شخصیت فضاها رو خراب می کنن.

'raas jodhpur' by lotus praxis initiative, new delhi, india
overview of restored site and new hotel block
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)
all images courtesy of lotus praxis initiative
in the heart of the walled city of jodhpur, rajasthan, the new delhi-based multidisciplinary firm lotus
has collaborated with bangalore-based firm praxis inc. to complete 'raas jodhpur' a 39 room boutique hotel. set at the base of mehragnarh fort this structure is the 2011 world architecture festival's 'holiday building of the year' winner.
the 1.5-acre property consists of three 18th century structures located around a central courtyard.
the buildings have been restored using original lime mortar and jodhpur sandstone along with the workmanship of
100 artisans to create a tactile experience within the context of the historical city.
the footprint of each building is small allowing for areas such as the pool, dining area, spa and open lounge to be shared by all. using the traditional age-old double skinned structures of the region, the stone lattice performs passive cooling and privacy. the facade panels can be folded away by each guest to reveal uninterrupted views of the fort. the darikjana restaurant is created on the terrace of one of the restored buildings. designed as part tented structure with an extended veranda, the hand-made floors are cast intoterrazzo tiles while the folded wall is made of traditional lime plaster and bronze mirror.

overview of the courtyard
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)
the guest rooms are laid out in a linear fashion to maximize the number of rooms and bathrooms that have a panoramic view. exploring the meaning of luxury through the authenticity and simplicity of material creates graphic motifs throughout the space. the floors, bed and seating are cast in hand polished terrazzo. the wall separating the room from the ensuite is made of hand dressed 11' high slabs of 50mm thick local sandstone, which has had cut diffusers for air-conditioning. the bathrooms are finished in white pebble surface. all furniture and lamps were custom designed and manufactured in the city using sheesham hardwood.
using sustainable practices, as their method of construction all the rainwater runoff from the building is harvested through pits which are integrated into the landscape. 100% of the wastewater is generated and reused on-site using a sewage treatment plant. taking advantage of the sunlight, solar power is harnessed to provide hot water to the guests.
the air-conditioning system is variable refrigerant volume based, which is amongst the greenest technologies available
with a platinum LEED rating. over 70% of the materials and workers were locally sourced within a 30km radius area.

new hotel wing-frames & reveals the view on
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

baradari overlooking the pool
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

suite balcony
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

lattice wall
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

new block with rooms with sandstone shutters
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

detail of lattice wall
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

folded wall made of traditional lime plaster and bronze mirror
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

al fresco restaurant with furniture in local
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

view of the fort from a rooftop blue suite
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

handcut screens of local stone line the corridors
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

hand dressing in patterns by local stone craftsmen
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

multiplicity of textures through the day
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

folding handcut stone shutters line room balconies
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

interior view of room in new block
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

seating area
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

restored heritage suite
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

washrooms are cast in hand poured white terrazzo
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

hand dressed stone slabs divide room from washroom
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

restored 17th century haveli converted into spa
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

17th century pavilion in restored in lime plaster
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

tented restaurant with local hand made floor tiles
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

restored and relocated pavilion against new wing
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

al fresco restaurant with furniture in local wood
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

overview of restored site and new block
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

pool with building facade
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

the local jodhpur blue frames a new staircase
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

sectional study of site with respect to fort
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

existing site
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

site plan
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

3d model of hotel building
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

schematic section of one of the new hotel wings
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)

room floor plan
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)
project info:
client: nikhilendra singh, walled city hotels pvt. ltd.
year: 2011
area: 60,000
location: jodhpur, rajasthan, india
collaborators: praxis inc. bangalore
project leaders: ambrish arora & rajiv majumdar
design team: arun kullu, radha muralidhara, anuja gupta, ruchi mehta
photographers: andre j. fanthome, rajen nandwana