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A cave for relaxation!
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How would you like holidaying in a resort that reminded you of a cave? Or even hold official meetings there? Travel back to the pre-historic times at contemporary Guhantara, says RANJANI GOVIND
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The hunter of yore lived in a cave with its walls painted with plant colour to enliven the surroundings. Taking you back to those days with modern ingenuity is an underground cave resort ‘Guhantara’ near Kanakapura Main Road in the city, just declared open by Opal Leisure as both an official and holiday getaway.
The architecture transports you back to an antiquated age of dark stoned earthen-finished roofs and rock-like walls, but the marvel is in its appearance with present-day construction materials oozing contemporary sensibilities, nevertheless welled up with ethnic appeal.
Mud-encased tunnels
At the entrance to Guhantara, you see lush green undulating meadows, trees and plants swaying to the breeze amidst some terracotta and stone sculptures.
It’s only when you are whisked away through a series of mud-encased tunnels that you realise the whole structure is underground!
“We have broken new ground by going underground,” quips a director from Opal Leisure, who hopes to create a one-of-its-kind record.
The tunnels are lined with sculptures, paintings and frescoes to add to the rustic authenticity, what with every room entrance sporting a typical village door with wooden cross-bars and jute threading.
The tunnels open to a central lounge-cum-auditorium ‘Rangamantapa’ with a gigantic spider-like skylight inviting the best of natural light that spreads widely across the restaurant ‘Sambhojana.’
The warmly lit tunnels that meet with skylights at defined junctions soon lead you to the accommodation rooms, deftly planned as caved enclosures with several hidden spaces allocated for housing the mod-cons with attached wash rooms, and walls that showcase a pastoral ambience artistically.
The abundance of rustic appeal and green concepts is extended to the balcony overlooking an artificial lake fed by rainwater harvesting.
The lounge-cum-auditorium,
The auditorium doubles up as an amphitheatre which can house 700 people. A waterfall forms the backdrop at this atrium-like space. Liquid delights are on offer at ‘Madhushala’ or one can sit in wooden backless chairs and delightfully conference-in-the-cave at ‘Samvad.’
Creative architecture
Every creation is an inspiration from nature, be it columns, chairs or the cosy suites, explain the architects S.N. Ramesh and C.H. Ramesh of R-Square Designs in BTM Layout, who took seven years to conceptualise and two years to see it take shape.
To get the cave effect the architects thought of ferro-cement concrete that was used on moulds of natural rocks, so that the innate ups and downs are highlighted effectively. The ceiling is plastered with cement and mud and the floors have concrete on moulds that mimic a true wooden flooring.
Ethnic suites.
“We have been very wood-conscious too. Only plywood and veneer is used to an extent that would cover a house built on a 30 x 40 site,” aver the architects.
But why a cave for an architecture and design in this age? “Living in a cave sounds simple, but if you have to recreate, it’s a challenge with respect to plan and material. Going underneath was yet another test to make the effort truly imaginative and adventurous and give it a ‘real’ character. We were after all attempting the first fully underground, man-made cave resort,” says S.N. Ramesh, hoping to see the endeavour in the record lists.
Green concepts
The underground structure is designed to get the maximum naturally cooled air circulation, a system that works as a geo-thermal air conditioner. Solar energy is harnessed to serve the needs of power.
Its ozone water-treatment plant ensures hygienic environment with the treated wastewater feeding the lawns that act as an umbrella cover to the underground cave.
The resort is spread across three acres of land. The construction is on one acre with the resort housed 30 feet below ground. The artificial lake that has the rooms overlooking it can hold 10 lakh litres of harvested water.
The eye-catching water feature
“We are hoping that we get the first level of LEED rating as we have most of the norms in place,” says S.N. Ramesh. Guhantara has 20 suites, and offers several customised corporate and holiday packages.
Call 97409 98981 / 82. Email info@guhantara.com or visit www.guhantara.com
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Property Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
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