A Luxe Getaway

Project: Sayaji Hotel, Rajkot Architects: Ar. Ishwar Gehi, Rajkot and Surat

- Ar. Ishwar Gehi

The word ‘luxury’ falls short to describe the grand structure of Sayaji Hotel that stands as a landmark in Rajkot in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. This new luxurious space is designed for the community where visitors of all kinds—hotel guests and the general public—can experience a fusion of royal and contemporary design elements. The site is located in one of the plush areas of Rajkot. On the east, west and south sides there is an open plot, while on the north side is a residential area in close proximity to the site. The client’s brief was to have a one-of-its-kind luxurious hotel. Hence, the planning was done in such a way that the design could offer luxury to the guests and meet the desiderata of the people visiting.

The exterior façade of the hotel is uniquely designed in a roof pattern. The ingression canopy is astronomically immense, about 40 feet in height with a unique play of the roof. The vertical LED strips in the façade light up the area as dusk falls. Rajkot lies 128 m above sea level and the climate here is referred to as a local steppe type—there is hardly any rainfall all year long and the average annual temperature is 26.7 °C/80.1 °F. Hence, louvers have been utilised in the exterior facade on the west side for protection from harsh sun rays as well as for privacy. Ample usage of plantation, including date-palm trees, champa, Fiscus panda, helps maintain the temperature within.