Banasura Hill Resort
| Banasura Hill Resort | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Rammed Earth Architecture |
| Architectural style | Indegeneous Sustainable architecture |
| Location | Wayanad, Kerala |
| Country | India |
| Elevation | 976m (3202ft) |
| Construction started | July 2008 |
| Completed | January 2010 |
Banasura Hill Resort is a nature resort in Wayanad District in North Kerala, located 37 km away from Kalpetta, the district headquarters. It stands at an altitude of 3500 feet above sea level on a sprawling 35 acre plot amidst the rugged mountains of the Western Ghats which recently was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[1][2] The resort is so named because it is located at the foot of the Banasura Hill which is the second highest mountain in Wayanad and a popular trekking destination.[3]
Etymology
The inspiration for the name Banasura Hill Resort came from the popular and picturesque Banasura Sagar Dam with which it shares its architectural antecedents, and the Banasura Hill at the foot of which the resort is located.
Unique Architecture
The resort is unique because of the kind of architecture used in the construction of various buildings within the complex. The main building at the resort has an area of nearly 20,000 square feet spread over two floors, and is made entirely out of mud, with a roof of bamboo and coconut palm fronds.[4] It is probably the largest earth resort in India,[5] and perhaps in all of Asia.[6][7]
Rammed earth architecture or pise is the construction technique used in building the resort. This technique was developed in ancient China around 2,000 B.C, and used predominantly to build protective walls around small settlements. The Great Wall of China is one of the best examples where rammed earth was used.[8] The biggest advantage of such construction is that there is very little environmental damage. “Earth” that is used for construction can be recycled indefinitely or left to disintegrate without causing any environmental degradation. The inspiration for using earth as the building material for the resort came from the Banasura Sagar Dam, India’s largest earthen dam, and the second largest in Asia located just 18 km away from the resort.[9]
Gallery
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Front view of Banasura Hill Resort -
Corridor in Main Building of Banasura Hill Resort -
Log Hut in Banasura Hill Resort
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Twin Cottage in Banasura Hill Resort
Size & Challenges
Fairly large single-storied earthen structures are common in different parts of the world, but building a two-storied structure of such enormous proportions as that of the main building at the resort, was quite a challenge. Since the building was designed without any concrete pillars, extra attention had to be paid to load bearing and load balancing aspects to ensure stability.
Climatic conditions are a major concern while building earthen structures. Typically, earthen buildings are found in areas where the climate is dry and arid. Wayanad, where Banasura Hill Resort is located, has a tropical wet climate – also known as a tropical monsoon climate – with an annual average rainfall of well over 2,300mm. While the heavy monsoon rains are responsible for the tropical rain forests and the rich bio-diversity found in these parts, building a rammed colossal earth structure under such climatic conditions is a challenge. However, it took 18 months to complete the construction.[10]
Expertise of Local Tribesmen
Close to the resort there are four hamlets belonging to the indigenous Kurichiya tribe.[11] The Kurichiyas are expert marksmen who used bows and arrows to hunt for game. They live mostly in mud huts with thatched roofs. Their expertise in building with mud was used extensively in the construction of the resort. The resort is a fine example of what can be achieved by blending traditional building techniques with modern design concepts.Banasura Hill Resort is one of India's best eco-resorts.[12]
References
- ^ "UN designates Western Ghats as world heritage site". Times of India. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
- ^ "UNESCO world heritage sites list". UNESCO Official website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Deccan Chronicle - Reference of Banasura Hill". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Main building made of mud with bamboo roof and coconut palm fronds". The Hindu Website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Biggest Earth Resort in India". Official Earth Architecture. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Largest Earth Resort in Asia". BBC Website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Largest Earth Resort in Asia". Go India Website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Construction material of China Great Wall". Travel China Guide. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Largest Earth Dam in India". Kerala Tourism Official Website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Challenges of Rammed Earth construction". How Stuff Works Official Website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Kurichiyas presence in Wayanad". Wayanad Website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "India's best eco resort". MSN Green. Retrieved 13 July 2012.