PASTORAL PEACE

As an Adaptive ReUse project Ar. N. Mahesh revives a 170-year old monastery to become a holiday destination - The Tamara Kodai

- Ar. N. Mahesh

With over 44 years in professional and academic architecture, Ar. N. Mahesh of Iyer & Mahesh is known for his contribution to the field of sustainable architecture and is credited with the revival of timber construction in modern Indian design. The Tamara Kodai, located in the midst of the Palani Hills in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, is one such example of Adaptive ReUse and expansion. This 5-Star heritage resort is restored out of a 170-year old monastic structure that was originally used as a guest house and chapel for pastors and later as a nunnery. The bare bones of the former monastic hideaway, largely in ruins, have been sensitively repurposed and absorbed into the design of the 53-suite resort that unfolds across 7.8 acres.

Serene location

The total built-up area of retained existing monastic structures for adaptive reuse is 1,859 sq mt while the additional built-up area is 4,441 sq mt.

This 5-Star heritage resort was originally used as a guest house and chapel for pastors and later as a nunnery

History book