Raga Svara is a serene haven focusing on holistic well-being, ecological sustainability, and aesthetic appeal. The founders believe in the therapeutic benefits of being in harmony with nature and emphasize a conscious pause to reflect and rejuvenate. To preserve the existing landscape, the architects took a biophilic approach and created a space that blends seamlessly with its surroundings.
The property features meandering pathways, lush landscapes, and a natural site terrain. The reception, treatment rooms, community garden, and residences are thoughtfully designed to ensure a tranquil, comfortable stay. Raga Svara’s interiors have a rustic charm, with regionally sourced natural stones, custom furniture, and an asymmetrical mandala pattern as its central aesthetic identity.
Raga Svara Technical Information
- ArchitectsShanmugam Associates
- LocationRajkot, Gujarat, India
- Topics Biophilic Architecture
- Area75,000 m2
- Project Year2022
- Photographs© Vinay Panjwani
Meandering pathways amidst lush landscapes, delicious Gujarati cuisine with emphasis on wellbeing, a blur between the built and green spaces, a plethora of quiet corners to ruminate, and customized meaningful retreats are some offerings by Raga Svara.
– Shanmugam Associates Architects
Raga Svara Photographs
Raga Svara: A Biophilic Retreat Emphasizing Wellbeing and Sustainability
Text by the Architects
Raga Svara, as its founders put it, focuses on therapeutic, aesthetic, philosophical, and ecological well-being in relation to oneself and one’s surroundings. Raga’s logo, “Pause,” indicates that all those who enter this green haven consciously pause in time, reflect, listen to the body in synergy with nature, and get rejuvenated in an educational way. With such a clear vision for Raga, the onus on the architects was to make minimal interventions in the existing landscape and have nature take precedence. The idea is not purely poetic. Research on restorative environments has steadily linked time spent in green settings to lower stress and improved cognitive recovery, an argument echoed by psychologists Sydney residents consult for burnout and anxiety, who increasingly recommend contact with nature alongside clinical treatment. Raga Svara translates that evidence into architecture rather than advice.
The site’s linearity, old trees with huge canopies, agricultural land, adjacency to the Rajkot-Bhavnagar highway, and natural terrain were primary factors that steered the architects toward a biophilic design approach. Zoning was done with reference to the large banyan and peepal trees on site.
The architectural language was defined by exploring the fundamental roof, wall, and floor elements. Floors interweave inside and outside with the landscape; walls are highly transparent to enjoy lush vegetation; and the roof is simple, with horizontal exposed concrete slabs.
The reception at the entry welcomes with a landscape extending to the roof, inviting one to take a walk and glimpse the entire property. The whole roof is hidden with hanging curtain creepers, which is a green curtain, while entering the lobby, hoping to set the initial tone.
Gigantic trees frame the restaurant, library, and pool, defining a space for congregation. The library sits beneath the banyan (Ficus benghalensis), synonymous with learning. Inspiration from the stepped wells of Gujarat and the need for sufficient shaded areas helped shape the swimming pool area, with symmetrically punctured ceilings and granite steps. Chamfered and cut roof slabs of the yoga center were planned around existing mango trees (Mangifera Indica), offering space for reflection.
At the heart of Raga Svara, the treatment rooms are tucked at the property’s rear to provide seclusion. An entry foyer and boutique with manila tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce) offering canopy, ravishing landscape-filled restrooms, and floating roofs that let natural light seep into large therapy rooms welcome Raga’s patrons.
The luxurious 20-key Raga residences, built around a community garden and circumambulatory bridge, frame a vista of the western sun behind Moringa cultivation. Cottages have a private garden with a pool behind the zen gardens. All restrooms are naturally ventilated with large private gardens.
An asymmetrical mandala pattern, created as a central aesthetic branding identity, is subtly blended into the lookbook, signage, exposed concrete ceiling patterns, murals, and flooring.
Sourcing local materials and navigating execution challenges were integral to Raga’s construction, which spanned three pandemic waves. Raga’s interior design is defined by a rustic mood board built around four Indian Ragas, regionally sourced natural stones, and customized furniture made from solid teak and rattan.
Meandering pathways through lush landscapes, delicious Gujarati cuisine with an emphasis on wellbeing, a blur between built and green spaces, a plethora of quiet corners to ruminate, and customized, meaningful retreats are among Raga Svara’s offerings. Treading carefully with the landscape and existing biodiversity of a 25-acre farm, the entire team worked in tandem to create Raga Svara, which is best experienced rather than read.
Raga Svara Plans
Raga Svara Image Gallery
About Shanmugam Associates
Shanmugam Associates (SA) is a renowned 40-year-old architectural firm based in Trichy and Chennai, India, founded by Ar. A. Shanmugam. The firm’s growth is built on a strong foundation of diverse clientele and international experience. SA’s design philosophy emphasizes simplicity, rationality, and sustainability, with a focus on delivering minimal, timeless solutions that consider nature, economics, and client needs. The team includes Ar. Shanmugam, the founding chairman of the Trichy Chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects, and experienced architects Rajakrishnan, Ramya Raman, and Santhosh Shanmugam, who have studied and worked across the globe, bringing valuable insights to the firm.
Works from Shanmugam Associates
- Lead Architects: Santhosh Shanmugam, Raja Krishnan D, Ramya Raman
- Design Team: Krishnah Priya, Ajith Kumar, Roshni Roy, Ramya Raman, Raja Krishnan, Santhosh Shanmugam
- Clients: Denish Patel, Mohit Patel, Nirav Talaviya,
- Engineering: Water Lilly PHE Consultant
- Landscape: Sandip Patil, Tapan Modi, Earthscapes Consultancy Private Ltd
- Consultants: Er.Balasubramanian, Structural (Shanmugam Associates)/ Nilesh
- Collaborators: Siddharth Kaneria, Art Collaborative
