Set within the evolving urban fabric of Hyderabad, the regeneration of Durgam Cheruvu reimagines the lake as a performative urban landscape that is an immersive oasis aiming to reconnect the city with its ecological and geological roots. Conceived as a dialogue between nature and urban life, the project transforms an underutilized natural asset into a vibrant public realm that enables recreation, culture, and collective experience. At its core, the intervention is driven by the idea that design must emerge from the site itself, responding to its terrain, water systems, and existing biodiversity to create a seamless integration between the built and the natural.
Envisioned as an inclusive destination, the project caters to a diverse user base, from millennials and Gen Z to families and tourists. A layered mix of cultural, recreational, and social programs ensures activity throughout the day and into the evening, with high-energy attractions balanced by quieter, contemplative spaces. These programmatic anchors are distributed across the site to create a dynamic and consistently active public realm.
SITE & CONTEXT
The site is defined by a rare confluence of natural elements, such as dramatic rock formations, expansive waterfront edges, panoramic lake views, and dense green cover, with a signature bridge that is a key landmark of Hyderabad. These attributes establish a strong ecological and visual identity, positioning the lake as a latent urban asset within the city.
Rather than imposing a new order, the masterplan works with these existing systems, preserving and amplifying the natural character of the site. The landscape becomes the primary framework, guiding spatial organization, movement, and program distribution.
DESIGN APPROACH
The design is rooted in the philosophy that architecture should evolve from nature and ultimately become indistinguishable from it. Drawing inspiration from the geological history of the region, the rocks are naturally occurring as a residue of lava from the volcanic eruption. As a continuation of this evolution, the planning strategy uses computational processes to emulate lava flow formations and generate organic spatial patterns across the site.
Further using Artificial intelligence-driven simulations to identify key activity nodes and then eventually translate them into programmatic vortexes. These vortexes are interconnected through a fluid network of pathways and open spaces, reinforcing both movement and visual continuity.
MASTERPLAN & MOVEMENT
The masterplan unfolds as a sequence of interconnected experiences structured around the lake edge. Circulation is conceived as an experiential journey, with lakefront walkways forming the primary spine that connects various program zones. Movement is not merely functional but immersive while framing views, revealing landscapes, and creating moments of pause. From shaded promenades to elevated decks and pathways carved through rock formations, the design encourages exploration and engagement at multiple scales.
Entrance experience is envisioned as a landmark moment, which is welcomed by the Lotus Plaza, where sculptural shading elements inspired by the national flower create a sense of arrival and openness. Creating an architectural gesture that is both symbolic and performative, providing shade while establishing a distinct identity. The public realm is further enriched through shaded walkways, plazas, and interactive spaces that encourage gathering and social interaction.
ICONIC SKYLINE & CANAL LEISURE-EXPERIENCE
The project introduces a series of cultural institutions that collectively define a new skyline for the city. Anchored by a signature bridge over the lake, which is a key built element that connects with a science museum at one end, and a multifunctional theatre, art & craft museum and conference centre on another side of the bridge. Strategically positioned to create a strong visual, cultural identity, while framing the signature bridge and becoming an iconic view. Further, connecting the theatre and convention centre directly to the city side for easy accessibility.
Complementing this is a series of experience, hospitality and lifestyle experiences embedded within the masterplan. A boutique hotel with cascading pools overlooking the lake, offering a more intimate and immersive engagement with the water’s edge. This is further extended through a nature resort that allows for a quieter retreat within the larger public framework. A high-end design and retail complex, inspired by Hyderabad’s legacy of pearls, introduces a refined commercial layer, translating local cultural identity into a contemporary spatial experience.
A secondary layer of experience unfolds along the canal edge, conceived as a vibrant leisure corridor. This zone integrates retail, dining, and entertainment within a stepped landscape that negotiates level differences through terraces and platforms. The canal becomes an active social spine that is lined with cafés, breweries, and public spaces that extend into the landscape. Walkways interspersed with greenery create a porous edge, blurring the boundary between built and natural environments.
LIVING WITH NATURE
Beyond the urban interface, the project introduces zones that allow deeper engagement with nature. Activities such as glamping, forest bathing, rock climbing, and trekking trails are integrated within the natural terrain. These interventions are intentionally light-touch, preserving the ecological integrity of the site while enhancing its experiential richness.
A significant component of the masterplan is dedicated to biodiversity, with botanical gardens, conservatories, and floating wetlands forming a network of ecological systems. These spaces contribute to environmental restoration, helping with improving water quality, supporting local flora and fauna, and creating microclimates across the site.
INFRASTRUCTURE & SUSTAINABILITY
The project adopts an integrated approach to sustainability, addressing water, energy, and mobility as interconnected systems. Wastewater treatment, shoreline buffers, and ecological filtration systems are introduced to restore the health of the lake. Energy strategies move towards a net-zero aspiration, incorporating photovoltaic installations, district cooling, and efficient building systems.
Conclusion
The regeneration of Durgam Cheruvu is envisioned as more than a masterplan; it is a framework for rethinking how cities engage with their natural assets. By aligning programs, ecology, and infrastructure, the project creates a resilient and adaptive public realm that evolves with its users.
It positions the lake not just as a destination, but as a living system, one that supports culture, community, and environment in equal measure.
TEAM:
DESIGN: AMIT GUPTA, BRITTA KNOBEL GUPTA, FULVIO WIRZ
PROJECT LEAD: ANJAN MONDAL
TEAM: DEWESH AGRAWAL, KARTIK MISRA, JITENDRA SAHU, CHAITANYA GOYAL, ADITYA SHARMA, HASNAIN ALAM
