Canadian studio yh2architecture has designed a luxury resort in Rishikesh among the rugged Himalayan peaks furrowed by the water of the River Ganges. The architects travelled the Indian Himalayas to discover the vernacular architecture that has developed in this territory over the millennia.

Faced with the spectacular and dramatic nature of this landscape, the designers have chosen the path of discretion.

The layout of the complex follows the topography of the land and is inspired by the traditional Himalayan villages that developed around the Darbargadh: a temple-building that provided protection for the villagers in times of war and was used as a meeting place for community life in times of peace.

Created in the image of a Darbargadh, the main building of the resort overlooks the valley and offers a central location to bring together all the main reception services: the reception, restaurant, bar, boutique and library.

A number of small villas are arranged along a gravel path that winds gently along the terraces like the Ganges River through the Indian Himalayas. The path descends down into the valley to the yoga and the spa pavilions and ends with a swimming pool and the restaurants directly overlooking the banks of the Ganges.

The materials used are local but for the introduction of steel to replace the cedar beams now banned for environmental exploitation in the Himalayas; river stones for the retaining walls, slate for the roofs and flooring and large wooden frames for carpentry. The typical Indian decorative geometries characteriz the floors and the jealousies of wrought iron frames.