Club Mahindra Madikeri Resort - Coorg

"Taking cues from the indigenous Kodava culture the Club Mahindra Madikeri Resort allows nature to penetrate through the building"

The Club Mahindra Madikeri Resort at Coorg was the result of a design competition between six architectural firms. I.M Kadri Architects won the contest and decided to look locally for inspiration.

The resort was planned along the edge of the Cardamom Valley, strategically positioned so as to save every single tree on the site.

Amidst the mystical rainforest, the lush tropical valley below and the terraced paddy fields beyond, the building rose from the site naturally, as though it had always existed.

Inspired by the local “Aynamane” homes the resort buildings were carefully designed after a lot of research on Coorg’s culture and traditions. A unique rain water harvesting style indigenous to the local Kodava people (where four inner slopes allow rainwater to collect in a base pool), formed the central feature of the entrance lobby. The interiors were adorned with design elements such as traditional carving on columns, woodwork, railings and artwork created with local fabrics.

The resident units have lovely sit-out areas. Well-designed rooms allow natural light and a regular breeze to flood in.

The entrance to the spa is through an old traditional doorway and past soft water fountains that invite you to a wood-crafted floating pavilion. This reception pavilion is built of natural materials with delicate detailing in wood and stone by Kerala artisans.

The swimming pool is organic in its form so as to preserve the foliage and maintain the flow between the existing trees. The result is that the pool mimics the feeling of being in a natural forest pond.

The resort has three restaurants with breathtaking hill views. The simple palette of earthen tiles, wood and grey stone lets one know that this resort could only belong to this untouched locale.