Hotel at Hampi
Hospitality Architecture I Hampi, Karnataka
Client Dhruvdesh Ventures
Area 1,40,000 sq.ft.
Status Ongoing
Team Shimul Javeri Kadri, Vaishali Mangalvedhekar, Michelle Pereira, Kinjal Vora, Sushmita Lasure, Rutu Kelekar, Akshata Ghughe
The Hotel at Hampi uses the interplay of living heritage and rugged landscape to create immersive architecture that echoes the spirit of the Vijayanagara empire.
Spread over 10 acres, the Hotel in Hampi is designed as an architectural homage to the area's living heritage. Officially recognised by the Government of Karnataka to promote regional tourism, the master plan carefully translates the spatial logic, scale, and structural memory of the ancient city into a contemporary built environment.
The architecture responds directly to the sacred geography of Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Defined by its rocky granite terrain and the Tungabhadra river, this UNESCO World Heritage site stood for centuries as a celebrated centre of art and global trade, and today remains one of India’s most historically charged landscapes.
The 1,40,000 sq. ft. property comprises 80 keys, nine private villas, and a comprehensive suite of public amenities including banqueting, a spa, and multiple dining venues. Rather than imposing on the landscape, the architecture functions as a quiet extension of it. By integrating the region's natural granite palette and reviving traditional craftsmanship, the project balances contemporary hospitality with a deep reverence for Hampi's historic context.
Landmarks of Identity
The tiered pavilion - a pyramidal roof structure that evolved during the Chalukya, Pallava, and Chola eras - serves as the primary architectural form across the site. This traditional silhouette is used systematically to give each public function its distinct spatial identity within the property.
Anchoring the layout is a central water spine inspired by ancient pushkarnis (sacred temple tanks). Flanked by colonnaded corridors, this water body links the reception to an octagonal bar pavilion, while a site-wide conservation system actively harvests, reuses, and returns rainwater to the landscape.
The resort's central water spine echoes the historic relationship between the tank, colonnade, and temple, culminating in a holistically managed rainwater harvesting system.
Courtyards and Climatic Strategy
The master plan is organised around six distinct planted courtyards, categorised into recreational, residential, and ceremonial zones. These open spaces recreate the sequence of enclosure and revelation that defined outdoor life in the historic Vijayanagara period.
In a region characterised by severe summer heat, these courtyards function as an essential passive climate strategy. Openable sliding windows and ceiling fans allow natural cross-ventilation across nearly 40 per cent of the guest areas, significantly reducing the reliance on mechanical cooling.
Bridging Past and Present
Colonnaded verandas function as the connective tissue of the property, providing shaded passage between courtyards, pavilions, and rooms. The columns reflect the region's current industrial identity as a hub for iron ore mining, fabricated from locally sourced mild steel and ornamented with grey granite.
The profiles of these steel columns closely emulate the deep indents of historic Vijayanagara stone pillars. Complementing this structural framework, the walls revive traditional stitched stone masonry, utilizing the naturally aged, golden-coloured top layer of sandstone sourced directly from local quarries.
We collaborated directly with local trusts to adapt traditional crafts - reworking colour palettes, scale, and finishes - ensuring revenue flows directly into artisan communities.
Translating Domestic Architecture
The residential block is situated in a C-shaped configuration to the south, prioritizing privacy and natural views. These wings look onto manicured lawns, a marigold farm, and dense native plantations that act as a natural screen between the standard guest rooms and the exclusive villa precinct.
The nine private villas represent the most intimate expression of the project's courtyard principle. Each unit is accessed through a private court that acts as a threshold between the bedroom and living spaces, allowing guests to return from their private pool without passing through other interiors - a circulatory elegance borrowed directly from Hampi’s domestic architecture.
At night, the bespoke mild steel and granite columns light up like lanterns, structurally holding the memory of two distinct eras of the landscape’s productive history.
Form and Environmental Parameters
The bar and speciality restaurant are designed around highly specific environmental parameters rather than purely aesthetic choices. Serving as a focal point on the property, the bar is constructed as an octagonal pavilion surrounded by water on all four sides.
This eight-sided form was directly determined by a site-specific wind study. The precise geometry captures and channels westerly winds across the surrounding reflecting pools, cooling the air as it circles the pavilion in one continuous flow before ascending to the first-floor speciality restaurant.
The hotel interiors in Hampi are a celebration of culture (local crafts), architecture, and the mesmerizing landscape (nature). By blending tradition with modernity, we aim to create a space that not only provides comfort and luxury but also serves as a gateway for guests to connect with the rich cultural and living heritage of Hampi.
The use of natural materials mirrors the undulating landscapes, creating an immersive experience for guests. Large windows and open spaces provide panoramic views of the surrounding beauty, connecting the interiors with the external environment.
