Hotel Retreat in Thiruvananthapuram

The project explores the articulation of environmental design as a catalyst for developing novel architectural typologies. The design strategy integrates an innovative microclimate control system with a counterbalanced kinetic canopy that responds to changing wind patterns to regulate ventilation for the hotel rooms below.

In addition to its climatic function, the dynamic canopy provides shaded space for the rooftop amenities, which include a cascading swimming pool and water features distributed throughout the facility. These elements contribute further to moderating the building environment through evaporative cooling.

Developed in collaboration with local residents and fabricators, a full-scale mock-up of the kinetic canopy prototype was constructed and tested on site, enabling the refinement of both performance and spatial qualities.

The hotel proposal originated from design research conducted at University College London, where it received the prestigious Bronze Medal and the Serjeant Award for Excellence in Architectural Drawing from the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The scheme also incorporates an outdoor multi-activity area and a covered public space beneath the building. These elements are designed to extend nearby street market activity into the site, establishing a new connection between adjacent commercial streets, busy road junctions, and the beachfront. Through this approach, the project seeks to integrate the new development with its existing urban context.