Waghoba Ecolodge Resort | Biome Environmental Solutions

About Waghoba Ecolodge Resort

Waghoba Ecolodge is a resort located near Tadoba Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra, India. It is designed for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists. The resort consists of 16 cottages and focuses on responsible tourism. The developers aimed to transform the previously cultivated land into a deciduous forest and enhance biodiversity through landscape interventions and a biodiversity survey. Local flora and fauna were identified during this process.

In order to support biodiversity in a semi-arid climate in Waghoba ecolodge resort, a water body was incorporated into the region. The summer temperatures can reach up to 48 degrees Celsius. By utilizing the existing bund and desilting the channels, a lake was created at the entrance of the resort. This lake serves as a storage for rainwater and treated wastewater. Additionally, indigenous plant species were planted to create a green corridor, allowing fauna to approach the lake. As a result, the lake now houses a variety of birds and animals. To cater to enthusiasts and professional wildlife photographers, a lookout hide was included in the design to observe the fauna in their natural habitat.

The landscape of Todaba offers a range of colors, from gold to dark brown throughout most of the year and green during the monsoons. The architectural interventions in the area have incorporated this color palette by using a combination of local sandstone and stabilized adobes made from local soil. Waghoba ecolodge resort is centered around the lake, with the main building and welcome area situated along its edge. Travelers can enjoy views of the rising sun as they prepare for a forest tour. Belvederes, located near the dining area and lounge, provide panoramic views of the lake, forest, and evening skies. Below the elevated lounge, there is a shaded swimming pool with a deck that overlooks the lake. The pool’s ceiling, which features a filler of pot lids, creates dynamic reflections and promotes eco-friendly material consumption.

In Waghoba ecolodge resort the cottages at the property are arranged on an east-west axis and provide accommodation for the guests. Each cottage features spacious openings on the north and south sides, which are shaded by deep verandahs. This design allows for a view of the buffer areas, creating a forest-like living experience. The buildings utilize passive strategies to reduce cooling loads during the summer peak season for safaris. The east and west sides have composite stone and adobe walls, which help in reducing heat gain. Additionally, the toilet and changing area provide shielding from the western sun. Inside the toilet area, there is a small skylight roof with heat-reflective glass, allowing ample natural light. The interior spaces are insulated from incidental heat from the rooftop by a vaulted roof made of conical pottery tiles with air gaps between them, topped with a ceramic mosaic.

The guest areas have a color palette of light to dark brown and terracotta reds. The floor is made of golden brown Kota limestone, which blends well with the adobe walls. The roof tiles are terracotta red, creating a contrast and making the vaulted ceiling stand out. The lighting fixtures are made of ferrocement and emit warm yellow light, creating a cozy mood. The staff housing on the west provides quiet space and privacy for its occupants during breaks. The senior staff housing has adobe walls and terracotta vaulted ceilings, similar to the guest rooms. The junior staff dormitories have windows near every single bed space, offering some level of privacy with load-bearing fin walls as partitions. Water from the staff housing roof is harvested and stored in a 0.1 million liter water storage tank.

The property’s sewage water undergoes treatment using NEERI’s PHYTORID system, which is plant-based. This treated water is then utilized for cultivating organic vegetables and maintaining the forest on the property. Additionally, the concept of the circular economy is enhanced by incorporating terracotta as filler in RCC slabs or roofs for residential spaces. These terracotta materials are locally produced and utilize de-silted soil from nearby lakes.

Most buildings nowadays use RCC construction, causing traditional skills to decline. As locals move away and agricultural activity decreases, lakes are no longer de-silted, leading to a decrease in aquifer recharge. In order to promote ecological architecture, we consciously chose to use terracotta in our facility. The vaulted roofs were a collaborative effort with the Centre for Science for Villages (CSV) Wardha, an organization that follows Gandhian principles and values. This project combines ecology, social aspects, and leisure.

Project Info:

Architects: Biome Environmental Solutions
Area: 3085 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs: Lalit Rajoria
Manufacturers: Adish Aluminium, Bathline, Hindware, The Purple Turtles
Design Team: Chitra Vishwanath, Anurag Tamankar, Maitri Shah
Client: Pugdundee Safaris
Structural Consultant: Satish Raipure
Phe Consultant: HMNagesh
Civil Works: Vikesh Agarwal
Swimming Pool: Nandadeep Pools
City: Bengaluru
Country: India