Hotel RAAS, Jodhpur: Preserving Heritage Through Adaptive Reuse
Hotel RAAS Jaipur is a gorgeous manifestation of history and modernity, set in the central part of the ancient walled city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Hotel RAAS is an artistic web created by Studio Lotus + Praxis Inc. Envisioning spaces where each element represents a story, the old and the new interacting in a seductive duet of design. Ranging from the weathered stone structures to the contemporary beauty of minimalism, Hotel RAAS exhibits the blend of the innovative with the traditional roots. This mixture of traditional and urban elements offers the critical traveler not only the hotel but the rich cultural exposure.
Heritage Revival and Modern Luxury
Hotel RAAS is spread over 1.5 acre property which is beautifully located at the base of Mehrangarh Fort. Studio Lotus has conserved three inherited structures set in a large courtyard. Besides these old structures, new structures serve as framing elements and as contemporary counterpoints to the site and the fort.
The original structures house the shared spaces like the pool, dining areas, spa, and open lounge areas besides three heritage suites.
36 out of 39 luxurious rooms are contemporary buildings that frame the Mehrangardh fort. These buildings and spaces are infused with luxury through materials and authenticity.
Sustainable Aspects
Sustainability is the thread that runs through every aspect of Hotel RAAS’s design and services. This philosophy provides the foundation of the hotel.
70% of the resources including materials, craftsmen, and artists, are sourced from within a radius of 30 km. The hotel invites highly localized materials to reduce its carbon footprint and represents a culture of environmental care. These carefully chosen materials include hand-cut stone, poured in situ pigmented cement terrazzo on floors and walls. Hotel RAAS also has locally crafted furniture and cabinets have been created in Sheesham.
The energy efficiency of the hotels has also been well taken care of through the active cooling systems that are strategically installed in the hotel’s architecture to harness solar power for water heating. Besides, the focus on rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling tells the guests about Hotel RAAS’s recognition of the limited natural resources.
Through its sustainability approach, the Hotel RAAS sets an example for the future of environmentally conscious hospitality and proves that luxury and comfort can be combined with environmental care.
Integration in Surroundings
Located exactly at the bottom of the famous Mehrangarh Fort, the hotel design is a combination of past and present reflecting the city’s heritage and yet the new life.
Hotel RAAS has openings inspired by age-old double-skinned structures (the traditional stone latticed jharokha – used for passive cooling) which can be opened by each guest to reveal uninterrupted views of the fort or can be closed for privacy and to keep the harsh Jodhpur sun out.
The architectural language of Hotel RAAS uses a Jodhpur contrast dialect, with sandstone sourced locally. It dominates the facades of the hotel disrupting the fort’s similar tones and the surroundings. The new buildings, although imitating the architecture of the older structures, harmonize the urban structure and also respond sensitively to the scale and shape in the form of the old city.
Craftsmanship and Sustainability
The Hotel RAAS Jodhpur’s aesthetic ideology revolves around craftsmanship and sustainability, where the two concepts weave a tale of lasting good looks and ecological consciousness. The hotel’s interiors represent Rajasthani craftsmanship. Every stone and every piece of furniture has the mark of skillful artisans, whose hands made the materials alive and breathless, turning them into artworks.
Using locally sourced materials to install energy conservation systems, hotel RAAS is an example of the comprehensive approach to sustainability in the field of architecture.
Central Courtyard Oasis
The central courtyard has always been an important part of Rajasthani architecture. Keeping in mind this vernacular element, Hotel RAAS has various central courtyards that serve as common areas.
With the sun finally setting over the fort of Mehrangarh, the courtyard transforms into an enchanted area where the history gets to life and the frontiers between our era and that of the past become indistinguishable. It’s a spot where time stops, and that stillness brings calm and awe with every moment. Whether sitting under a huge tree that has been there for centuries or wheeling under the vast beautiful sky of the desert, guests get into another world wrapped in serenity and fairytale.
The courtyard has areas like a pool, dining spots, and lounges where travelers gather to share stories. The centrally-located courtyard of Hotel RAAS is not only the end of the journey, but it is an experience that continues to stay even long after the journey has been completed.
In a Nutshell
Hotel RAAS, Jodhpur is not only a luxury hotel but also an important step towards adaptively reusing the heritage and conserving it. Jodhpur has a very intricate and beautiful history and culture, and Hotel RAAS is a step forward in conserving that history and culture through architecture.
Studio Lotus has done incredible work from finding the site in the old walled city of Jodhpur, restoring it, and adding new buildings that complement the local architecture. Hotel RAAS – a place where tradition meets modernity, and every instant is a tribute to the vibrancy and timeless allure of Jodhpur.
References:
- Raas Jodhpur (no date a) Studio Lotus. Available at: https://studiolotus.in/showcase/raas-jodhpur/35 (Accessed: 03 March 2024).
