Xandari Harbour, Fort Kochi

Located midway between Fort Kochi and Mattanchery on the busy Bazaar Road. Xandari Harbour was a peculiar rundown property with two contrasting buildings - one a Heritage building over 200 years perhaps which was almost falling down and the other a nondescript hotel building.  Muthoot Hospitality and Raxa Collective had engaged the services of architects, PMC and contractors for undertaking the adaptive restoration of the property to a world class boutique hotel.  Due to more reasons than one, the work was in doldrums when Inspiration was requested to chip in to undertake the design+build of the project. 

The approach for the work was to be respectful of the history of the two buildings while reflecting a contemporary ambience. Under the guidance of experienced structural engineers including V S Venkitachalam, along with our in-house skilled artisans, Inspiration could transform the structures to world class spaces with clean lines and understated elegance within committed timelines and budgets.  

Traditional Mangalore tiled roofs on wooden trusses were skilfully re-erected with judicious introduction of structural steel supports to open up the structure to capture the magnificent views of the Vembanad backwaters.  Handcrafted polished oxides flow seamlessly from floors to walls and countertops bringing a colourful contrast to the saw-cut wood finish on the furniture. The small yet spectacular pool has been commented as among the ‘sexiest pools in the country’.

PROJECT DATA

Scope: Design + Build

Location: Fort Kochi, Kerala

Timeline: 2014-15

Size: 24000 sq.ft

Client: Muthoot Hospitality

Collaborators: Vistaar Associates; Stuba Engineering