Jodhpur, a city in Rajasthan, in the northern part of India, has been a vital part of ancient Indian folklore, mythology, art, and architecture. Known for its unique craftsmanship and phenomenal cuisine, Jodhpur is one of the oldest cities in India. However, unlike other old cities- instead of demolishing old houses and structures to modernise the cityscape, Jodhpur has remained loyal to its traditional architecture and design techniques.
Jodhpur has found a way to bring itself into the future without giving the city an identity crisis; instead of using industrial design and contemporary architecture, Jodhpur has used these modern elements to elevate and redesign buildings all over the city – from palaces and forts to houses and stores. Using old pre-existing buildings and the principle of adaptive reuse, Jodhpur has significantly contributed to the sustainability of historic monumental structures.
What is Adaptive Reuse?
In theory, the definition of adaptive reuse would be the process in which an existing building is reused for a purpose- though a series of design interventions- other than what the built structure was initially designed for. Many practices now use this concept in design and intense research. Multiple student thesis projects focus on the importance of adaptive reuse and the perseverance of old buildings for new and current use.
Adaptive reuse has slowly come into trend. It is quickly catching up in all parts of designing, from hotels, palaces, tourist spots, and Havelis- adaptive reuse is that recent facet of architecture that modernises old buildings without taking away from their original essence. It’s a new way to connect people to their ancestry, history, and culture.
Adaptive Reuse in Jodhpur.
Jodhpur, often called the blue city of India, has various forts and Havelis. Haveli is derived from the Arabic word Hawaii which means private partition or private space. A haveli is often described as a form of a traditional townhouse, manor, or mansion native to the Indian subcontinent. Havelis are usually constructed in the city and have extreme historical and architectural significance.
Adaptive reuse of these Havelis helps us preserve the elaborate adorning of their intricate columns, beautiful facades, and exquisite detailing. A feat Jodhpur seems to have mastered, from the smaller houses to their elaborate palaces.
RAAS Jodhpur.
Raas is a luxury hotel within the walls of a Jodhpur Haveli fort; this adaptive reuse project by Studio Lotus has successfully integrated a stay into an old haveli by the use of authentic materials and workmanship that creates a dialogue between the old and the new.
In the heart of Jodhpur, Rajasthan – RAAS was built on the humble 1.5 acres of the Mehrangarh Fort. A boutique hotel with 39 rooms looking out into the old city quarter of Jodhpur, this new haveli feels like a part of the old haveli that has been time travelled into the future.
The new haveli buildings are framing elements to the fort with new contemporary design additions. Three-period haveli structures are set with a large open courtyard that anchors the haveli. The design by Studio Lotus, in collaboration with Praxis, has used the principle of infusing luxury and traditional craftsmanship with their authentic materials as used in the old haveli fort. The haveli was painstakingly restored with their original materials and design practices that are not very commonly used today – lime mortar, Jodhpur sandstone, and elaborate detailing.
The new structure shares common spaces like the pool, spa, courtyards, open lounges, dining areas, and three heritage suites, with the old haveli – seamlessly. The concept was to try and integrate the new building into the old haveli as much as possible – physically and visually. Studio Lotus took inspiration from the haveli architecture to apply to the new adaptive reuse haveli. The most obvious way this design influence can be seen is the age-old traditional feature of the double-skinned structure of the Rajasthani Havelis. These double-skinned architectural structures have the traditional stone lattice called the Jharoka from authentic Jodhpur architecture. This double skin had been followed for centuries in Rajasthan and its cities, towns, and villages due to its dual function of adding an extra layer of privacy and passive cooling techniques.
These Jaalis or lattices have been modified in the new Havelis and are visibly highlighted by efficiency. They now fold and can be opened to have a view of the old haveli fort to be visually a part of history or can be closed and locked by the guests if they need a layer of privacy or to keep the scorching Rajasthan heat out. RAAS has had a unique stance of combing the old and the new, adaptive reuse and sustainability along with luxury. These core concepts seeping through the Haveli have made their mark even internationally with the fleet of awards and special mentions the project has accumulated, including the World’s Best Holiday Building at WAF Barcelona, Design for Asia Awards, Hong Kong, a mention on DOMUS international, and an Aga Khan Award for Architecture Nominee.
This traditional Jodhpur Haveli used over a hundred skilled regional craftsmen and master artisans in the building, the exteriors, the detailing, and the use of sustainable architectural features throughout the space, not just the private suites. 70% of the materials and the labour force have all been sourced locally, from within a 30-kilometre radius. One can identify the Jodhpur techniques in the new Haveli with just one glance; the essence of Jodhpur has seeped its way into every aspect of the Luxury hotel.
The traditional design elements include locally sourced furniture – from crafted cabinets to tables and lamps. These furniture pieces were curated and designed individually with the traditional Sheesham. Materials in the built spaces – walls, terraces, and ceilings include hand-cut stone that is poured authentically in situ pigmented cement. These small and simple works together, in combination with the locally sourced materials, craftsmen and labour, have made this new Haveli successful by evolving something basic and elevating it to something extraordinary.
Conclusion.
From its intricately detailed columns to the use of that perfect shade of jodhpur blue – it’s fairly apparent the project was done with a level of love for the city, the concept of Jodhpur Havelis, intricately detailed columns and art and the jaali facades, the project has successfully set the standard for adaptive reuse. It shows the design community the pinnacle of an Adaptive reuse project- that luxury, tradition, and sustainability can coexist without exclusivity.
References :
Studio Lotus (2022). RAAS Jodhpur . [online]. Available at: https://studiolotus.in/showcase/raas-jodhpur/35 URL [Accessed date: 2nd December 2022].
