Anaha Spa: A Retreat Within a Retreat

Akshay Heranjal's Architectural Masterpiece Merges Nature and Wellness

The design of Anaha Spa takes inspiration from hand mudras, positioning each spa room at different angles to offer breathtaking views of the surroundings. The spa rooms are concealed from the outside with exposed brick screens made by local masons, reflecting the designer's commitment to sustainability and local craftsmanship. The material palette is organic, featuring exposed concrete walls and flooring in natural Indian stones, drawing from the pure connection an individual experiences with their inner self during yoga and meditation.

What sets Anaha Spa apart is its sustainable model that focuses on the connection of man with nature. The design follows natural contours with part of the building half submerged, connecting to the isolating quality of the earth. The light and air movement is planned from a series of sunken courts, with natural light washing concrete walls, creating a play of light and shadows. The strong design language with brick-work, wooden doors, and open-to-sky spaces merges the interior and exteriors, creating a seamless connection with nature.

The realization of this design is a testament to Heranjal's vision and expertise. The wellness block is a new addition to an existing yoga retreat, which has been a destination for guests from around the world due to its serene setting and Indian hospitality experience. The new block follows the experiential language with each block growing from the sunken gardens into the sky, often blending into a series of greens. The feel is further exaggerated on the upper level with large openings on the east, allowing natural sunlight to create a powerful setting for the Yoga sessions at sunrise.

The design is spread over an area of 2000 square meters in two floors on a site area of 26 acres. It has 10 spa rooms with each of them being 60 square meters and Yoga areas spreading over 200 square meters. The design is characterized by its climatologically designed spaces that connect the interiors and exteriors, maintaining a constant bond with nature through sunken courts and a centrally placed open-to-sky water-body. This helps in maintaining the micro-climate of the interiors all day long, throughout the year.

The project was started in August 2014 and completed in September 2016. It has been well published in print within India and online media worldwide and has won the coveted Kohler Bold design Awards in India. The design was based on understanding the concepts of yoga, meditation, and the essence of the yoga retreat being a journey of self-discovery. The design was planned to be well connected with the outdoors and finished with neutral tones of earthy and Indian materials to bring out the true essence of the space without compromising on the design, spatial and hospitality experiences.

In conclusion, Anaha Spa at Shreyas Retreat, designed by Akshay Heranjal, is a testament to the power of design in creating spaces that not only serve a functional purpose but also connect individuals to nature and their inner selves. This award-winning design stands as a beacon of sustainable and innovative architecture, setting new standards in the realm of wellness and lifestyle design.