Page 103 - HUDCO DESIGN AWARDS

JAVA RAIN RESORT, CHIKMAGALUR, KARNATAKA

‘Java Rain’ is a five acre resort nestled in a large coffee
estate in Chikamagalur, in the Malenadu region of Karnataka
(Male-hill, Nadu-region) a part of the Western Ghats. The
undulating landscape is cloaked with lofty dense Tropical Wet
Evergreen and Moist Deciduous Forests. The monsoon is a
key aspect of Chikamagalur’s salubrious climate. The most
prominent hill range here is named after Baba Budan, said to
have planted the first coffee seeds here in India, upon

Key facts: returning from Mecca.
5 acres. I 1280m AMSL Mullayanagiri, another significant and cloud-shrouded peak, is
13°21'42.6"N 75°43'29.5"E visible en-route to the site. Silver oaks (Grevillea robusta)
Mean annual rainfall : 900 mm planted since the late 19th century, as dappled shade for
coffee plants, constitute the single largest introduced
Above: Location of Chikamagalur, Right: Java rain site species in the landscape.
in relation to cultural landscape features and macro terrain

Introduction of the coffee estate. The steepest
The resort sits on the crest of the gradient is around this dyke, and
coffee estate, on a relatively flat progressively flattens towards the
plateau in the North. The layout North gate.
comprises of single villas (4 nos), twin The landscape design works around a
villas (3 nos), presidential suite (2nos) few guiding principles such as
and a manager’s villa. The principal conservation, habitat strengthening,
building is the arrival centre, set at an erosion control, runoff management,
upper level to give a prospect of design of outdoor spaces to make
Chikamagalur town in the far distance. users feel at leisure while working with landscape mosaic of the place i.e.
Below it is the Restaurant and an a monochrome planting palette to the hill, forest and valley. These
adjoining spa block which open into an strengthen the impression of view corridors are experienced in
elliptical swimming pool. The site has wilderness. serendipitous manner in the
a level difference of 16 metres from In a Physical sense, Java Rain site lies landscape interventions. The idea of
South west to North. A ridge on the on topographical prospect which a forest-pasture, and subtle aromas
south separates the resort from rest connects the viewer to the intrinsic are expressed in the planting design.