This oceanside retreat was designed on a 6-acre plot, 200 meters distant from the shoreline, with a broad vista of the sand and the waves. Situated along the East Coast of Chennai, India, this sanctuary is wrapped with a secluded experience for its resort guests, who crave to escape from the daily hustle & grind. The architecture of Ocean Resorts complements the client’s desire to shape an exclusive experience for local city dwellers who yearn for moments of natural tranquility.
Project Name- The Pods
Studio Name- Midori Architects
Location- Uthandi, Chennai
Skills-Architecture, Interior
Type- Hospitality
Area- 34,453 sq. ft. (3,201 sq.m)
10 Pods: 23,026 sq.ft. (2,140 sq.m)
2,302 sq.ft. per Pod (214 sq.m)
1 Banquet Hall: 11,427 sq.ft. (1,062 sq.m)
True to its name, Ocean Resort comprises of 10 symmetrical ‘Pod’ like structures with its curvilinear concrete shell forms, which are conceived to mimic the ‘crests’ & ‘troughs’ of water. The Pods are self-contained residential quarters, which are oriented in a diagonally opposite fashion & span upto 2,300 sq.ft. area. The crucial design challenges faced for the Pods was in positioning them on-site & optimizing their orientations to achieve panoramic views at minimum energy costs. It was imperative that these opulent private pods with exclusive decks matched the service offered, where the first row opens to the expansive views of the Indian Ocean, whilst the sumptuous beautiful, lush garden views enriched the other rooms.
The design agenda consisted of incorporating 30 keys, followed by an 800-seat capacity banquet space with restaurants, spas, pools, compliant to the local regulations & service needs. The interior layout consists of two standard rooms adorned with pastel blue & orange hues, and the first floor opens to a Master Suite with a private deck. The Suite’s sun deck makes for a charmingly inviting spot for guests to meditate & sunbathe. The Pods flank the pedestrian pathway, which acts as an ‘Internal Street’ & resembles the region’s vernacular row houses. This takes the wanderer to a magnificent banquet hall that’s discreetly tucked away Southwards of the site. The double height of this majestic room, spanning over 24 m & 9 m high exudes grandeur, ideal for hosting any grand occasions. The sheer magnetism of this dining room’s lavish interior is noticed in the ceiling, organically designed to resemble a series of rising & falling dunes to create the illusion of an inverted beach. Numerous mirrors & tiny pendant crystals hanging from the undulated ceiling echo the gleam when the sun catches the sand. The mirrored columns, cornices & neutral palette emphasized by soothing lighting visualizes the lines on the sand to emphasize a modern aura which is distinctively ageless & is truly a visual feast!
This eco-conscious resort utilizes its sleek & compact, climate-responsive form to minimize its environmental impact, with its generous overhangs which buffer the interiors from the tropical insolation. The organic form with its awe-inspiring curves easily collects rainwater & also captures the prevalent Easterly & Northerly breezes. A biophilic design approach helped establish the human-nature relationship & increase occupant activity in the form of direct greenery on the façade. The roof envisioned to repurpose recycled wooden rafters from stranded seaside boats to emphasize an understated tropical & earthen style, that fostered environmental stewardship & an avian friendly design. The gorgeous, striking, vibrant exterior with dramatic linear patterning of leaves was studied & implemented, such that its insulation character tackled the harsh Indian summers, but also exhibited a whimsical display of modern architecture caressed by Nature.
