'raas jodhpur' by lotus praxis initiative, new delhi, india
overview of restored site and new hotel block
image © rajen nandwana
all images courtesy of lotus praxis initiative


in the heart of the walled city of jodhpur, rajasthan, the new delhi-based multidisciplinary firm lotus
has collaborated with bangalore-based firm praxis inc. to complete 'raas jodhpur' a 39 room boutique hotel. set at the base of
mehragnarh fort this structure is the 2011 world architecture festival's 'holiday building of the year' winner.
the 1.5-acre property consists of three 18th century structures located around a central courtyard.
the buildings have been restored using original lime mortar and jodhpur sandstone along with the workmanship of
100 artisans to create a tactile experience within the context of the historical city.

the footprint of each building is small allowing for areas such as the pool, dining area, spa and open lounge to be shared by all.
using the traditional age-old double skinned structures of the region, the stone lattice performs passive cooling and privacy. the facade
panels can be folded away by each guest to reveal uninterrupted views of the fort. the darikjana restaurant is created on the terrace
of one of the restored buildings. designed as part tented structure with an extended veranda, the hand-made floors are cast into
terrazzo tiles while the folded wall is made of traditional lime plaster and bronze mirror.



the central courtyard shows the relationship of old and new buildings within the surrounding neighbourhood
image © andre j. fanthome


the guest rooms are laid out in a linear fashion to maximize the number of rooms and bathrooms that have a panoramic view.
exploring the meaning of luxury through the authenticity and simplicity of material creates graphic motifs throughout the space.
the floors, bed and seating are cast in hand polished terrazzo. the wall separating the room from the ensuite is made of hand dressed
11' high slabs of 50mm thick local sandstone, which has had cut diffusers for air-conditioning. the bathrooms are finished in white
pebble surface. all furniture and lamps were custom designed and manufactured in the city using sheesham hardwood.

using sustainable practices, as their method of construction all the rainwater runoff from the building is harvested through
pits which are integrated into the landscape. 100% of the wastewater is generated and reused on-site using a sewage
treatment plant. taking advantage of the sunlight, solar power is harnessed to provide hot water to the guests.
the air-conditioning system is variable refrigerant volume based, which is amongst the greenest technologies available
with a platinum LEED rating. over 70% of the materials and workers were locally sourced within a 30km radius area.



the primary building becomes a second gate that reveals itself to the courtyard and the view of the fort
image © rajen nandwana

baradari overlooking the pool
image © andre j. fanthome



small details such as an embedded mirror capture and deconstruct views of the fort and the old city
image © andre j. fanthome



lattice wall
image © andre j. fanthome



new block of rooms with sandstone shutters
image © andre j. fanthome



detail of lattice wall
image © andre j. fanthome



detail of alfresco restaurant in lime plaster and bronze mirror
image © andre j. fanthome



the alfresco section captures the site's old and new spirit through the use of a simple palette of lime plaster, stone and local timber
image © andre j. fanthome



view of the fort from a rooftop blue suite
image © andre j. fanthome



handcut stone screens render the corridors with light
image © andre j. fanthome




hand dressing in patterns by local stone craftsmen
image © andre j. fanthome



multiplicity of textures through the day
image © kaushal parikh



folding handcut stone shutters line room balconies
image © andre j. fanthome



the room serves as a gallery looking out onto the property and the fort
image © andre j. fanthome



seating area
image © andre j. fanthome



the heritage suites are rendered with simplicity in a traditional palette of lime plaster, stone, handmade terrazzo tiles, and locally crafted bespoke furniture
image © andre j. fanthome



washrooms are cast in hand poured white terrazzo
image © kaushal parikh



hand dressed stone slabs divide room from washroom
image © kaushal parikh



entrance to heritage suites
image © raas jodhpur



courtyard of heritage suites
image © raas jodhpur



heritage suites
image © raas jodhpur



restored 17th century haveli converted into spa
image © andre j. fanthome



17th century pavilion in restored in lime plaster
image © andre j. fanthome



the terrace restaurant is a contemporary graphic rendition of traditional rajasthani motifs derived from local textiles
image © andre j. fanthome



restored and relocated pavilion against new wing
image © andre j. fanthome



al fresco restaurant with furniture in local wood
image © andre j. fanthome



the integration of the hotel into the fabric of the old city
image © andre j. fanthome



at dusk the stone screen acquires a lace-like quality
image © andre j. fanthome



the local jodhpur blue frames a new staircase
image © andre j. fanthome



sectional study of site with respect to fort
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)



existing site
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)





site plan
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)



3d model of hotel building
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)



schematic section of one of the new hotel wings
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)



room floor plan
image © rajiv majumdar (praxis inc.) ambrish arora (lotus design services)


project info:


client: nikhilendra singh, walled city hotels pvt. ltd.
year: 2011
area: 60,000
location: jodhpur, rajasthan, india
collaborators: praxis inc. bangalore
project leaders: ambrish arora & rajiv majumdar
design team: arun kullu, radha muralidhara, anuja gupta, ruchi mehta
photographers: andre j. fanthome, rajen nandwanalace