Storii By ITC Hotels Devasom Resort & Spa

Eastern India is a land of water bodies, lakes, ponds and rivers. Outskirts of Kolkata is dotted with over 13 % of registered water bodies. Human body is more than 2/3 rd of water element. The balance of elements, essentially water is a key decider of our wellness. Attributes of water and its connect to our sensory responses is key to wellness. As an ever growing city , kolkata is a home to many physical and psychological ailments . This project - A wellness retreat aims in restoring the physical , mental and spiritual ( body , mind and soul ) balance through hospitality and care . This wellness retreat has three essential components in its programme - The spa, The yogashala and The Salon. The site was carved out in a peninsular profile surrounded by a 5 acres of water body (lake). Located within a Holiday - Home Campus of 90 acres, a component of it has 24 key guest blocks for staycation guests and also who engage themselves in longer wellness programs. A total of 14 key treatment areas comprise of western treatment ( massages ) , ayurveda treatment ( massages ) , hydrotherapy , mud/Dhara therapy , the yogashala , the kriya shala , and the beauty treatments ( salon ) . “The process of Wellness translates from soul to mind and then to body”. Here is a design which activates your muffed sensitivities and induces us to perceive even the subtle responses performed in the treatment with distinct clarity . THE 5 SENSE DESIGN TRULY ! When the guest walks through multiple courts (each designed scientifically to activate our 5 sensory perceptions) , the transitory experiences , employing water and nature in true Biophyllic settings calms us instinctively . The highs and lows , the stillness and the turbulence , light and darkness etc activate our deeper/ remote cells of neurocortex - those which remain dormant in the urban environment . Daylight , natural ventilation , textures , Colors , fragrances , the flowing architectural form , aromas of earth , sounds of the winds and much more all tied up in the singularity of terracotta shade is rejuvenating. THE 6th SENSE ARCHITECTURE The tangible should give way to the intangible . The design includes prescriptions of Vedic architecture to induce positive energy pockets ( courtyards ) for health and vitality . Vault shell rog to cast off fluctuating EMFs from HT power grid , No RCC beam grid network in the corridors to provide smooth flow of energy , dark pool proportions more than 1:7 to absorb negative environmental energies etc are few such prescriptions . Interesting use of Artworks from spiritual india subtly celebrating the concepts of oneness and inclusivity builds up a positive environment pulsating HOPE in wellness hospitality . A Sustainable and Green Design The microclimate ( through passive cooling strategies and planned natural circulations ) benefits allows the common area 100% non air conditioned . 100% Daylight harvesting in the interior spaces and comments spaces etc has reduced the power requirements to less than 50% as compared to conventional systems . The design allows for many spa activities to be performed in semi covered areas and open areas connecting guests with the exiting flora and fauna - the act of instinctive wellness. It is a Green Design in true sense ! At the site around 88 tress have been planted carefully curated to invite the fauna species driven out of the urban environment - an act of inclusive existence ! The Winning Case ! Post pandemic , it is important we as humans connect and accept nature as a prescriptive order of life . The need to weave an experience of the body mind and soul in our built environment is important . This design explores the timeless concepts of open indian courtyards in a realm of biophylia and vedic sciences to create a wellness expression in hospitality architecture. Less is really More ! Art and architecture : We seek happiness and this lies in our perspective ( seeing ) of life . The solution lies in our nations strength - spiritual wisdom . Art has a universal code , beyond languages . It has preserved and professed spirituality and its values across ages in its various forms and mediums . Art has been the best source of instilling wisdom , hope and happiness . It is a connect to our mind and soul . By careful and sensible installation of art/artefacts in space we added in furtherance of this intent making it more palatable and contextual to the mood . The medium is terracotta and metal , it is regional to bengal and engaging local artists is an ethical practice too. Illumination and design : The orchestration of changing shadow profiles in the day give way to a meditative evening and sensual night time . The intent is to simulate the flickering lamp effect , with no lights fixtures mounted either on the ceiling or on the wall . Attention is been taken to ensure moonlight is well reflected over dark water bodies ( devoid of under water illumination ) creating a surreal blue simmer on the walls . There lies a human connect with lamp - it is a timeless representation of positivity - the divinity. The floor mounted fixtures emulating oil lamps were made . All fixtures are dimmer control (< 2200k ) and LED at source . A conscious call is to have the light in patterns , as caustic waves etc so as not to attract insects and flies . Interior Architecture : In here Interior design is an alter ego of architecture design in a neutral palette of shell white vitality ! - The all-inclusive shade of light. The approach to the interiors is to engage the architectural form and add a layer of detail inspired from the ripples of water, inspired motifs of Bengal jasmine (the local flower), the folds of lake surface etc. The subtle reliefs on the vault ceiling bring a calming meditative mood . Timber and anti-skid tiles on floor, low relief stucco finish on the walls compliment the textures of nature around. Dual curtain system , shear for daylight and black outs , give guest the desired options for experience. Indian Minimalism is the intended interior expression .