Ekaant is a mindversity on the Ganges that aims to enhance one’s self-awareness, potential, and innate creativity. It is a one-of-a-kind experiential learning destination set up in an old dharamshala on the banks of the river Ganga. Though centrally located amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, the intention was to create a space that offers calmness, just like the river that is constantly in motion and at times chaotic but still offers a sense of calm around it, therefore the name "Ekaant."
In order to fulfill the essential meaning of meditation and to realize the flow and depth of the space with the concept of "Meditation on Movement," this heritage building is largely divided into spaces that flow into each other homogeneously. The building has 5 floors and a terrace, out of which two floors are below road level, one floor is at road level, and 3 floors are above road level, including a terrace. All areas are planned in a manner to get maximum views of the ghat. The meditation space is on the first floor, which opens onto a large terrace with a heated pool and an open-air theater with views of the ghaat. Rooms on the basement floor are also oriented in such a way that they get a ghaat view. The lowest floor opens up right onto the ghat.
The Entrance:
As soon as one enters the building, they are hit by the contrast in environment on either side of the building. While the road leading to the building is narrow and full of life and city noise, the other side offers views of the Ganga river flowing in all its glory and offers a sense of inner peace.
Therefore, the first intervention was to insulate the building from the roadside and open the building as much as possible to the river. On the ground floor (which is two levels up from the ghat), we opened the space by providing two curved walls, which immediately pulled the user’s focus towards the river. The two curved walls also hide all the services (kitchen, back office, stairs, and toilets) so that one gets an unobstructed view of the river. The ground floor also contains the cafe/restaurant, so the guests can sit by the river and enjoy their meals.
The Ghat:
Taking cues from the traditional ghats, we created the stepped riverfront, which acts as an interactive sitting space where multiple activities can take place, from yoga to evening music events. To keep the materiality the same as that of the ghats and to continue the neutral palette of natural materials used in interiors, Jaisalmer stone was used for cladding the steps.
The Ghat is also an extension of the academic area. A large hall where lectures are held has one wall that is completely transparent, so that the river is visible in all of its glory. Next to the large academic hall, we also have a small sunken seating area (emulating an amphitheater) where indoor informal sessions and music sessions are held.
The Pods: the idea of "lagom" living
What is the space required by a person to live?
We worked on the Lagom philosophy of finding just the right amount of space for a person to stay. The result was single-person hexagonal pods with a tensile roof on the terrace. The space is just right for one person, so that they feel completely at ease and relaxed because of the scale of the space. Even the in-between spaces are "just enough." Yet to the occupants, it feels like they are closer to nature as the terrace offers peaceful and undisturbed views of the Ganga.
The Facade:
Since it is a heritage building, the structural intervention was kept to a minimum. Yet the intention was to refresh the existing facade by adding a mass that acts as a connection between old and new. The design features arched openings, which is the most basic and traditional form of making an opening. By playing with their proportions, we have made an attempt to create a contemporary facade that sits well in its surroundings. The facade will be an ever-evolving canvas for various artists to showcase their work.
Team:
Architect: Anagram Architects
Team: Vaibhav Dimri, Madhav Raman, Shruti Dimri, Somya Agarwal and Surbhi Chawla
Consultants: In-house
Photo credit: Ronojoy Mittra (Firm name: Kathika Media)
Material Used:
1. Stone Veneer: Arvicon
2. Windows: Riyom Global
3. Tiles: Nexion
4. Color: Asian Paints
5. Sanitaryware: Kohler
6. Bath Fittings: Kohler
7. Furniture: Fabindia & Others
8. Furnishing: D Decor
9. Carpets & Rugs: D decor
10. Acoustic Baffles: Armstrong
11. Laminates: Greenlam & merino
12. Pool: A-Technologies FZCO
13. Wooden Flooring: Notion
14. Air Conditioning: Mitsubishi
15. Marble: Jaisalmer Stone
