Radisson Hotel, Lonavala | Malik Architecture

Concept:
Radisson Lonavla is a harmonious blend of architecture and landscape, rooted deeply in its historical, cultural, and environmental context. Surrounded by the rich history of forts, temples, and caves, the design draws on the natural and regional heritage, making use of locally excavated Deccan trap stone — a material found in nearby forts and monuments — and natural wood. Together, these materials bring a sense of continuity and resonance with the natural landscape, connecting the retreat seamlessly with its surroundings.
Set against a lush backdrop of hills, the retreat is designed to host a variety of events, from weddings to conferences, while providing a tranquil getaway for individual guests. The site's natural gradient informs the layout, with a ramp leading to the entrance lobby and offering separate access points to the banquet area. This thoughtful arrangement maintains a quiet and exclusive atmosphere for guests while accommodating large events without overcrowding the main lobby. This multi-purpose approach emphasizes a balance between the intimate and the communal, enhancing the experience of visitors seeking both rest and celebration.
The split layout of the site — divided into Block A and Block B by an existing road — allowed the architects Kamal and Arjun Malik to create self-sustaining spaces unified by an extensive landscape design. An underground passage discreetly connects the blocks, ensuring efficient flow between spaces without disrupting the natural aesthetic. The emphasis on blending interior and exterior spaces minimizes the perception of boundaries, allowing nature to flow into the architecture. Materials like stone and wood are applied consistently across interior and exterior, creating a fluid continuity that eliminates the threshold between built and natural environments. This approach also utilizes daylight through skylights, slatted wood screens, and open courtyards, drastically reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.
Drawing inspiration from traditional courtyard structures, the central courtyards are framed by corridors, creating light-filled spaces that balance privacy with openness. Wooden slats filter light, providing a second skin to the structure that softens the horizontality of the floors, allowing the hotel to appear as an organic extension of the landscape rather than a rigid structure. The design intentionally deconstructs typical hotel elevations, resulting in a bold, abstract form that invites curiosity and exploration. The lower structure, anchored by stone, supports a seemingly floating wooden upper half, creating a striking visual harmony between the rugged stability of stone and the warmth of wood.
First look at the architecture – four rectilinear wood prisms appear to float above the grounding presence of solid stone walls, creating a powerful dialogue between the built form and its urban context. This juxtaposition of materials brings a sense of sublimity to the structure, as the earthy weight of the stone anchors the design while the wooden prisms lend it a feeling of lightness and elevation. The architectural form stands as a response to the surrounding urbanization merging robust construction with a refined, almost ethereal presence.
Responding to the pressures of urbanization in Lonavla, the retreat balances the desire for development with a commitment to preserving the landscape and character of the region. The architectural choices are sensitive to both aesthetics and practicality, drawing from the experience of the architects as hospitality veterans. The sense of arrival is understated yet impactful: guests are welcomed not by a traditional porch but by a conservatory surrounded by lush greenery and framed by hills. The entry lounge, crafted from black basalt stone, recalls the turrets of local forts, offering a timeless connection to Shivaji’s legacy.
This wellness retreat, meticulously crafted by Ar. Kamal Malik's deep knowledge of the region transcends conventional resort design. It transforms the experience of hospitality into an immersive journey through nature and architecture, where spaces blend seamlessly, fostering a unique environment that is as functional as it is poetic. The thoughtful design prioritizes essential materials and forms, enhancing both operational ease and aesthetic appeal. Through sensitive material choices, creative spatial organization, and a profound respect for the local landscape, this project redefines luxury as an experience that celebrates simplicity, sustainability, and a deep connection to place.

Highlights:
● Surrounded by a rich history of age-old forts, caves, and temples, the site evolved from an undercurrent of sustainability, climate, and regional context, while being mindful of the functional matrix.
● The landscape and a backdrop of the hills is the dominant feature of this project that, in a way, negate the built form.
● There is no threshold between the outside and the inside as they feature a common materiality.
● The play of light and shade, integrated into the architecture, ensures a continuously changing environment whilst negating the use of artificial light through the day.

Project Facts

Name of Project: Radisson Lonavala
Name of Design Firm: Malik Architecture
Location: Lonavla, Maharashtra
Typology: Hospitality
Date of Completion: 2021
Principal Architect/Designer: Kamal Malik & Arjun Malik
Photography Credits: Bharath Ramamrutham